Going from 45 to 50?

Kyrsten started this discussion · 4/11/2012

I have a friend who is telling a brand new TG X-Pert for 200 dollars (she bought it and never used it.. crazy right!?) The price tag is making me all giddy inside... I currently have a one-piece pole that is under 7 feet, and if I nabbed this X-Pert I could take it other places or prop it up in my bedroom and have a little more space to play. Plus I've never worked with TG, so it would be good to try out! The only problem is it's a 50mm... I haven't worked with 50mm since I first started inverting basically... I'm afraid it will be difficult/impossible to do things now that I'm a lot more advanced. I work with 47mm poles at my studio and those are a good size, but I can't imagine doing an allegra or ballerina on anything bigger... not to mention the loss of hand grip? I see a lot of talk about going down sizes, but not up. Anyone have experience in moving from a small pole to a bigger one? I guess it's always good to work with a variety of sizes and finishes, but I'm afraid I'll put it up once or twice and hate it and never use it again... I suppose I could sell it again if I don't like it? LOL

12 replies

Dancing Paws · 4/11/2012
I went down in size, not up, but I can say that I HATE 50mms. I learned on them for 1 1/2 years, then bought a 50 as my first and second poles. I eventually got fed up and went to a 45, and I have never looked back! Though 50s are okay for thigh grips, it is hard for knee pit grips. I cannot wrap around them because I am short, and they bother my wrists because I cannot get my fingers to touch (there is an almost 1" gap in my fingers on a 50.) I truly believe 45's are a million times better for shorties.
chemgoddess1 · 4/11/2012
It kind of depends on what level you are at. I can pretty much get on any size pole and work with it. I have even done stuff on an outdoor pole that is larger than the standard 50. Hand size will come into play too as smaller poles are harder for me to grip because I have large hands.
AliceInWonderland · 4/11/2012
I have a 50mm TG and love it. It really depends on your body. My friend loves her 45 but she is also 5.1 foot with tiny hands so she gets the same grip on her 45 that I get on my 50
Kyrsten · 4/11/2012
Yeah, I'm 5'2" and really petite, but my fingers are super long and skinny so they almost touch on a 50... I can do elbow grip ayshas on my friends 50mm, but I'm not sure if split grip would work... My main concern is really things like allegra, but I guess if it's a problem I can just not do stuff where I have to wrap my body lol. I guess I'll buy it... if nothing else, my grip strength will improve and if I totally hate it I'll sell it to someone else, lol. That PRICE is just calling me...
Dancing Paws · 4/11/2012
If you can work it, go for it! That price is a steal for sure!
Lana Lee · 4/11/2012
Do it Kyrelle! I always work with the 50 mm at my studio just so that I don't always get stuck on working with a 45 mm. I don't have very many issues on the 50 mm unless I want to do some back bendy things like the pretzel. I really like the 50 for strength work to improve hand grip and upper arm strength.
Jojodanza · 4/11/2012
you can always buy it and resell it if you dont end up liking it.
valerie98 · 4/12/2012
I'm looking to get a 50 TG! If you don't want it let me know! I have a 45 now and I love it! I just also want a 50. I'm very tall and enjoy both sizes!
Jessilee · 4/13/2012
I have a 45 and of course studios have 50 and my friends have 50's..I usually go through a little bit of an "ackward dating stage", but the more often I can go back and forth it's not bad at all. Plus since you can never tell who is going to have what size I think it's great to be as comfortable on all the sizes you can.
Charley · 4/13/2012
I would recommend training on a 50mm over a 45 in the beginning simply because it does build your hand strength A LOT! I only consider a move "gotten" if I can do it on a 50 as well. I think it's good to train between the 2 because honeslty the 50 is still very common, more common than a 45. Chances are if your goals are to perform or compete you'll come in contact with a 50 - it's good to see how you'll do and some things are EASIER on it like basic body grip moves :)
Kyrsten · 4/14/2012
I did have a 50 in the beginning, but I've progressed a LOT since then and I'm at a pretty advanced level now. I really don't recall it being difficult, but again, back then I was pretty much only doing spins and gemini/scorpio. I'm going to buy it... I hope it will be easy to set up because I'll have to take it down when I'm not playing with it. Now I have to clean my room so I can put it up... LOL. That was the best thing about having a pole in my room, incentive to keep it clean :P Thanks everyone.
Madfelice · 4/14/2012
I would love to have a 50. I actually prefer the feel of it in my hand.