Got my first pair of Pleasers...need help!

Kate O started this discussion · 7/10/2015

Hi all, So my first pair of pole shoes has just arrived (very exciting!). They're 7 inch black Pleasers with an ankle strap. They look great (and make me SO TALL) but I'm a bit worried about hurting myself. They feel surprisingly comfortable on my feet and I've made sure the ankle strap is tight enough, but I had a little walk around in them and was a bit wobbly and at one point my ankles went a bit sideways and I nearly slipped...maybe this is normal when wearing big heels for the first time? But if anyone has tips for balance that would be great. I can't imagine dancing in them just yet, much as I'd love to!

9 replies

Runemist34 · 7/10/2015
Hey there! Yes, big heels are scary at first! They are practically like wearing gorgeous stilts, and it does take some time to get used to them. I found that running really helped me because I was working on my ankle stabilizer muscles a lot- I trail run, so the ground is uneven, rocky, slippery and sometimes it's icy (or, just all water- yay >_
Runemist34 · 7/10/2015
... I'm not sure what happened there, but it seems a big chunk of my reply got cut off. I'll try it again from where I left off... ...so those stabilizers have had to work HARD! I really noticed the difference, though, when putting on my Ellie heels and having a walk around. So, that would be my suggestion- not to start running, because running sucks and I don't know why anyone does it, but to start conditioning your ankle stabilizers! There are a few smaller muscles in there that make a seriously big difference, and I'm positive you can find some good exercises for them. Also, just practice! Hold the pole, and just walk around, work on a slow toe-drag, maybe change direction a few times. Give yourself a bit of time to get used to being in them. I've also been known to just wander around the house in a pair of heels I want to get used to (though normal heels, not the big ones!), do chores, just hang out in them. It helps to do normal things in them because you'll get used to how they feel and work! And, since you're at home, you have walls and couches and counters to hang on to if you need to, and no one is going to see you walking around like a newborn deer. Best of luck!
MizMacy · 7/10/2015
7 inch heels are high if they are your first pole shoes so they'll definitely take getting used to but they look great right? My advice is to be careful about the surfaces you walk on. Hard surfaces only. Carpet is a killer in new shoes. I walked around my kitchen for hours over the course of a couple weeks when I upgraded to 7 inch before I tried dancing in them. One of my teachers also had the advice to turn your feet out slightly when you walk forward. That helps stabilize.
Sabina Rex · 7/10/2015
Thats normal. Try wearing them around the house to do chores or watch tv for a few days but not dancing in them. then, after a few days practice dance away! Thats what worked for me. Eventually they will be so easy to wear they will feel like part of your body. And try walking with your feet slightly turned out. It will be easier.
Kate O · 7/11/2015
Thanks for the advice and reassurance! I did as suggested and wore them for about an hour last night, watched TV and had a wander round in them. I also tried doing some steps/pirouettes around the pole which felt weird at first but I think it will get much better with practice. When I first tried them on I was on carpet at work but at home we have hard floors and that did feel much better. Can't wait to get going with them! I'll try and post a pic. Can't stop drooling over them
Kate O · 7/11/2015
Cinnamon Girl · 7/11/2015
Lovely shoes:) I have the same ones but they're red. I walked around the house with them before getting on the pole.
Kate O · 7/12/2015
I wore them to class today because we were doing a sexy floor work section at the end of the class - so much fun! And easy because I didn't even have to stand up in them ;)
natalianyx · 7/14/2015
Give this a try http://www.heel-that-pain.com/heel_pain/water_bottle_stretch_1.php Usually when wearing heels you want to go up in heights over time like (2-3in 4-5in 6-7in) so your foot gets used to the position and stretching rather than being at an odd angle. Biggest tip is not to go flat footed, don't stomp, get used to going heel to toe and don't lean forward or back. a pretty decent heel video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NsqfS1wU7M
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