santiagoup05 started this discussion ·
I've been taking a pole fitness class for a couple weeks and am still struggling with the basic spins! The problem is that I can't hold myself off the ground:-( Even something simple like the fireman has me stuggling, I feel so heavy, not light and graceful. I really don't want to quit but maybe I need to lose weight before I continue. I'm 5'6, 170lbs... Any advice??
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Be patient! A couple of weeks is not enough time to gain what it takes to hold yourself off the ground. If you look through here you will see that many people say that spins are NOT beginner moves. If you cannot hold your weight off the ground you will fall to the floor. If you do not understand the mechanics of how to shift your weight when you spin you will fall to the floor. If you do not understand how to grip and not grip at the same time you will either not spin or you will fall to the ground. Veena offers 3 free days of lessons here on the site. Look at the conditioning lessons she has. Take a look around and read about all of the people that have had the exact same issue that you are having. Weight is NOT the issue, time and patience with yourself are. And BTW....WELCOME!
This is a really good discussion on how to prepare students to learn how to do their first spin: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/4ecfd7dd-57ec-4173-ada8-194a0ac37250
chemgoddess1 - Thanks for the feedback.. I will definitely look at Veena's conditioning lessons. Hopefully I can gain the strenght to complete at least one spin!
A few additional good reads (notice dates...you are NOT alone!!) https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/3981 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/4dc0fdb2-3588-43d0-80e3-0a3c0ac37250 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/2664 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/4f2d920e-4eec-43ee-9e22-50d40ac37250
BTW, I used to teach and while I had girls that could get the idea of the spin in the first class, I had several others that took a few months. We all come in with different backgrounds and different abilities. I am 8 years in and still unable to do a lot of moves that people have gotten in the first few years. Stay strong!
I'm around your height and was 265lbs when I started a year and half ago. I'm currently around 190lbs. It took me a longer time to be able to invert than most girls, but honestly, everybody has different moves that come easier or harder to them. In the beginning I could not do a sit up or lift myself for a basic pole hold. Losing weight is great if you want to, but gaining strength is the real key to improvement. You gain strength by more repetitions. Every time you try, you are working on more strength and muscle memory. I try to pop into level 1 classes at my studio when I can because I love to watch and encourage the new students. Doing so gives me the chance to see the girls that have a lot of natural ability on day one and the girls that have to work hard for every movement and everybody in between. You are not alone in feeling the way you do. When I started I needed a lot of encouragement. Now I'm the one doing the encouraging. This is my long winded way of saying - everybody takes different amounts of time to get moves perfected and build strength. If you stick with it, it will happen.
I totally agree with the other two: These things take time, and you will progress at your pace, and no one else's! I've been poling for 6 years, but due to a lack of social encouragement (particularly from my ex), a lack of confidence (as in, I didn't think I could really make any progress) and just general laziness (I preferred the comfort of the couch or my bed to the discomfort of getting used to a pole sit), I haven't made much progress at all. I did, however, learn a LOT about my mind and body! My "resting weight," when I'm not working out or running, is between 165 and 175 lbs, and I'm 5' 7". My current weight, since starting running last year and getting into pole properly about six months ago, is now 200lbs. I haven't gained any size- in fact, I'd say I'm losing some! I am, however, a lot stronger and more "dense" than I used to be. I got muscle, and I'm super happy with that ;) So, don't worry about your weight, don't worry about how fast or slow you progress! After six years and barely being able to do a basic invert by the end of that time, I know that some people just take time. And, I bet you anything you'll take a lot shorter time than that to achieve a lofty goal like a basic invert! Even if it takes you a year, you'll be about six times quicker than me ;) haha
Veena ·
As everyone has said, don't feel discouraged! Spins are not beginner work, your body needs time to work up to those. Even if some can do them right away they often end up with injuries. This video can help you learn how to properly engage the scapula for pole! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ3V_2DsxgE&index=5&list=PLyXWQXP3dueofybLatPPuLCbvfSPF2oSF Check out the lesson here as well, everything is place in order and you'll learn all kinds of beginner appropriate things to build strength first :)
spins were very hard for me. my body just didnt understand the momentum and technique and my grip in my hands were not strong enough. I would try to spin and I would sink straight to the ground. it will come with time. stick to beginner spins in Veena's lessons. dont be fooled by the word "beginner" that doesnt mean easy. I was doing leg switches, aerial inverts, choppers and jades before I could finally do a carousel spin. there is a technique in your hands. I feel that even climbing the pole and sliding down and stopping with your hands can help develop that technique in your hands. climb the pole. slide down with your legs assisting you. stop yourself with your hands. slide some more. also, my spins would sink straight to the ground because I didnt understand the concept and feeling of holding onto the pole and putting my momentum out and away from the pole like a ball on a string. your body flying away from the pole is what keeps you more airborne. but I wouldnt worry so much about staying airborne for a long time right now. Veena has some nice half spin lessons that really help you to understand the concept better without doing a full spin. it will help build strength while your body figures out how to use momentum. there is absolutely nothing wrong with your weight. at all so dont even worry about that. spins are not my strong part but I am getting better. it took me months and months to get a couple of good spins. it is mostly technique, muscle memory, and some strength.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement!!! I have another class tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. I'm so happy to have found this community/family!!!:-)
Please dont feel discouraged. I'm always saying that its my big butt and thighs thats holding me back. Everything takes time. Some people are stronger than others and that's one reason that they can do some things, but you might be better than others in another area for right now and dont realize it :). I can't do some basic spins like Hollywood that I used to do 6 months ago but I can do other things that I didnt know how to do like a half pint or teddy bear. Just keep trying and nobody motivates me more than knowing I got Runemist on here, Loveracing25 on Youtube, Veena's leg work, Jhene Aiko playlist, and my half glass of wine if I feel too sexy and need some sleep :)
iani ·
Don't feel discouraged! Things take time, and we do not all find the same things easy. Pole is good at making you realize where your weaknesses are. If strength is one of yours, then don't get discouraged, just take it as extra motivation to train it :) Veena's conditioning lessons are pretty cool, so you even already have a good starting point. Another thing I notice for a lot of girls who do not have gymnastics or fitness background, is that they do not know how to engage their shoulders and back, which is a bit of a pet peeve for me. When you lift yourself off the ground, you are definitely not aiming to do it all by arms strength. It should be at least half from your back, so maybe try to get familiar with the concept of lifting yourself using your back with static pole holds, and then apply it to spins and such. Veena's lessons about shoulder positioning and scapula mobility are really great for this. (Seriously, I always thought I would never be able to do a single pullup. If I try with my arms alone, I probably still can't. After learning how to engage and use my back, I can now do 10 straight pullups, which is more than many guys can. There is hope for everyone!)
@laniancilla You're right, I notice that I try to lift my weight based on my arm strenght alone and that's almost impossible for me right now! I'm working on building strenght in my back and core also. Veena's conditioning lessons have been great! Thanks for the advice!
A couple weeks in? Oh man, you are doing fine! I don't think you need to lose weight either before continuing. You just have to build strength. I've been doing Veena's thirty day take off, along with other body weight exercises on the pole, such as pole holds, knee tucks, fan legs, things where you are just engaging the body, shoulders, arms, etc. I've seen a variety of body types in my poling classes and some very heavy girls can invert, and I still can't, and some skinny minny girls can't do a knee tuck. It's more about building the muscle I think. You sound like you are doing great actually. Keep at it! If you like it, then keep going, keep trying!
