disadvantage?

loveleahannah started this discussion · 10/9/2013

I am brand new to this. I am weak and VERY NOT flexible. I know the flexibility and strength will come with some hard work....BUT I do NOT have a gym membership....will this hinder the strength side of pole training... also should i do the online lessons here OR the online lessons here and the Art of pole- TOGETHER. I am very uncoordinated and i thought i could get as much help as possible.

8 replies

Cherished · 10/9/2013
I'm not a gym person. You can gain both flexibility and strength on your own. I really love the lessons here. They are really clear and in order of what move to learn first so it builds your strength. As for doing The Art of Pole at the same time I think it would depend on how much energy you have left or maybe alternate so you don't over do it. I personally would probably stick with the order of lessons here and mix in the similar moves from other sources in case the other instructor has additional tips or variations in how to execute the move.
frenchhornprof · 10/9/2013
I consider myself unflexible as well, and I didn't have much upper body strength when I started. I think you'll surprise yourself at how much strength you gain if you pole a few times a week. I don't do much to supplement poling, I don't go to a gym or lift weights, but I do try to stretch at least once a week. After a year, I can get my right split every now and again. I started pole at a studio, but then just used Veena's lessons for about 9 months. I'm back at a studio now. I think the lessons are a great way to go. I never tried the Art of Pole, but I'm guessing you'll get everything you need as a beginner from Veena's lessons online. If you're okay with enjoying a steady progression, I think you'll be fine, but if you're impatient and want those strength based tricks faster, you might have to cross-train. That being said, Veena has some strengthening and stretching exercises on her lessons.
calipolepixie · 10/9/2013
I am not flexible either but after poling 2 1/2 years but I am A LOT more flexible than I was when I first started that's for sure! I am not a fan of flexibility workouts, but I am trying to get better at doing them because I want to do moves that require more flexibility. With time, you become more flexible but if you want to be extremely flexible and do the really extreme tricks that involve a lot of flexibility, you will need to up your game and do flexibility training a few days a week. Also, same goes for strength...it grows as you learn pole but additional strength training is ideal, if you want to progress at a steady pace. You don't necessarily need a gym...I use arm strength and conditioning exercises that I find on SV and elsewhere online and workout at home. I also have a pull up bar, do sit ups, planks, elbow and forearm stands to help with my core and arm strength as well. I also use light hand weights and do exercises using iphone apps.
Runemist34 · 10/9/2013
First of all, unless you're a superstar gym bunny, most of us started out being untrained. I know that I started out uncoordinated, very low strength, and I still struggle with my flexibility, as well as a few other things. It's sort of part of the journey we go on! Strength comes with time and effort. Veena's lessons are great, she starts off slow, so that if you are less experienced or less active, she'll get you going in a way that is totally manageable, while also pushing you just that little bit to help you gain strength. Jamilla's Art of Pole series goes a little further... I believe there's a reason for her impressive musculature, and it is probably the amount of training she does. She kicked my butt, and... well, I'll be going back to it soon! I'm really looking forward to pushing myself. And I hate lifting weights, going to the gym, etc. Closest I get to a "gym" is my climbing gym, where I go and climb walls and make my hands grip things they don't think they can, push my legs harder, and work on some upper body strength (but, with the right technique, you don't need much at my level). Flexibility is more or less the same. You work for it, it takes time. Some people work toward the splits for years before achieving them. I've been working consistently for them for over a month, and seeing some vague improvement. I think I'm reaching a plateau, but that's okay. I'll get there! Just be aware that, like strength training, flexibility training is very tough on your muscles- you should never cause yourself real pain from doing it, and you need to take rest days. Finally, I think you need to look at this from a different angle. Saying "I'm weak and inflexible" may be somewhat true, but it's more like... you've got improvement to make, and you want to make it. Rather than looking at what is behind you, look at what you want to put in front of you, put it there, and make it happen. Believing you can learn something is the biggest step. We all start out in ignorance, or in this case, uncoordinated and weak and inflexible, and work our way toward knowledgeable, graceful, strong and flexible. Everyone has their own journey to take, and you might surprise yourself!
calipolepixie · 10/9/2013
Crap, correction...I've been poling 3 years! It'll be 4 years in March! :)
Paunobs · 10/9/2013
I have been poling now for 3 years, I have only just started going to the gym to work harder on upper body, core and legs I decided to do this as I felt I was not gaining much strength lately to move on, it will also help me work both sides evenly, however I believe if you do weight work you need to also concentrate on flexibility as well. I struggle big time with flexibility I work consistently and see consistent small results, but I sure am much more flexible than what I was 3 years ago.
Lee lee · 10/9/2013
Because you are brand new at this, my first suggestion would be to take a look at the 30-day take program through the lesson section. There is definitely helpful information and tips on how to get started. It's not only for new people (I did it and I've been poling for a year) but it gave me a place to start in terms of conditioning and strength training. I'm a fan of using every resource available to me to make my poling better. I currently go to a pole studio because in my opinion, there's nothing better than having a qualified instructor on hand when you are trying something difficult for the first time. However, I do also practice during the week using Veena's lessons. No one here will deny how good she is at breaking down the move and the added bonus is that she's available to answer any questions. I find myself even checking the lessons here after I've learned something at the studio. In regards to gyms, I don't have a gym membership because I don't like traditional workouts. I do other activities though - aerial yoga, hoop, dance lessons. I also have the Art Of Pole series and do think that it is very well thought out. You don't have to go to a gym, there are several things you can do at home to work on your strength training.
Youngs7 · 10/9/2013
Hi there, I am totally not a gym person. You do not have to be a gym member to gain flexibility or strength. Actually, I was a member at a gym for a few months and it did not do a thing for me.... except for wasting my money. :) In that being said... you have found a great site. Veena lessons are great and the members are wonderful as well. I am learning more from Veena doing the lessons. I was a member at a pole studio and class went so fast that I did not get the hang of some things because I needed to move a little slower than the other advanced people in the class. With Veena, you can watch the lessons as many times as you need to and she also does it in slow motion; therefore, you can see exactly what you should do and the points of contact with your body and the pole. I guess I am biased because I love the site so much. You will see what I am talking about. If you need help, you will always receive a reply from some of the girls on here and usually Veena as well. Don't worry.... you will gain strength and flexibility. I am still working on mine too. It takes more time for some of us but you will be okay. Hope I gave some encouragement. :)