has anyone else started like me?

myflossybear started this discussion · 7/31/2010

i bought my first pole a week ago and i thought i was pretty strong but i cant even climb the pole. im watching and trying out the lessons veena has showed in improving strength but i still feel pretty weak and im getting frustrated as i still cant sit on the pole or do a basic climb. was anyone else as weak as me when they first started? and does anyone have any tips on improving my body strength? 😐

23 replies

polefairy · 7/31/2010
Yep, we all start the same way. But this is important: If you only started poling one week ago maybe pole climbs and sits are a little bit advanced? Can you start off by practising holding the pole up high and slowly lifting two feet off the ground (no jumping!) behind you and try hold yourself up for a few seconds? You'll get used to the feel of your body weight, gripping the pole and it will help you get stronger. I definitely couldn't climb or pole sit at first. Heck, I couldn't even do the above hold in my first class. But if you keep practising slowly and safely you'll find yourself gaining strength nice and quickly. As for strength tips, I hear Veena has some great tips in her lessons 😉
PoleKitten81 · 7/31/2010
Hey, I was as weak as a kitten when I first started, even now when I take a few weeks off it's takes a while to get my strength back, One of the best methods I've found, other than practice is regular pilates classes, this really sorts your core strenght out, you'll find muscles you never knew you had in both pole and pilates. Just don't give up, it takes time and patience. Polekitten
myflossybear · 7/31/2010
thanks guys 🙂 ive tried holding the pole and lifting my legs up for 4 days now but i still cant get anywhere without breaking into a sweat.although i can like wrap my leg round and lift myself up a little and hold for a few seconds at best. id prob be a bit better if i didnt fear my skin burning when on the pole. and ive badly bruised my inside of my thigh falling off my bike so i wont be gripping with my legs anytime soon lol
polefairy · 7/31/2010
thanks guys 🙂 ive tried holding the pole and lifting my legs up for 4 days now but i still cant get anywhere without breaking into a sweat. Don't worry, that's completely normal. I was the exact same. But, don't force any pole climbs or sits yet if you find that difficult, just focus on holding on up high and holding your body weight without climbing up and hurting yourself because you can't hold it. Don't worry, it's normal. I remember practising that hold in class and honestly thinking I was the weakest girl in the world because I just couldn't do it at all. Now it's so simple. And I use this memory to help me now even, when I can't get a new move I always think ''well, I couldn't do any when I started and now I can do loads!''. Don't worry, practise makes perfect. As your strength builds you'll be able to do more. I'm working on this myself at the moment, you're not alone!! 😀
Veena · 8/1/2010
Ok wait, you have only had a pole for a WEEK!! 😲 It takes a few weeks for most people to start to see or notice improvement. You said you were taking the lessons, so keep at the strength work, it wont help overnight but its worth continuing. Remember to do them EVERY OTHER DAY..you need to let your muscle recover so they can repair and grow stronger. 💪 Learning the proper form for the exercises will also carry over into remembering to hold proper form when learning new pole tricks. Holding the pole hold for 4 sec is really good!! A know a lot of beginners just slide right down like a rock. As for sweating up a storm, well thats totally normal too. ☀️ Your asking your body to do things that are totally new...pole is truly a full body workout. Soon you'll be flying around the pole telling other newbies to hang in there. 👍 👍
Maria-Elena Kadala · 8/1/2010
Everyone has been where you are ... don't feel discouraged. Improvement doesn't seem to come at a steady state, often leaps & bounds, followed by a plateau, and then the cycle begins again. Be sure to follow Veena's most excellent advice and instruction so you don't incur an injury and get frustrated with the setback. Those bruises are your badge of honor ... get used to 'em ... arnica & ice might help, but the bruises go with the territory. They'll come from banging the pole for the first couple of months, later from the holds, where you're feeling the burn. Keep us posted with your progress!
hannahpc · 8/1/2010
I started just like you!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_C6GtBj_VE I couldnt even walk around the pole right. 😕 LOL
PennyGirl · 8/1/2010
Girl, I started just like you! I couldn't even do a simple fireman spin at first. It took me a few weeks or maybe even a month before I could do basic spins. I was already working out in the gym lifting weights, so I was pretty strong, but I still couldn't get up the pole. Climbing wasn't too bad but because of my past military experience I was used to rope climbing and the pole climb was very similar. Anyway, it took lost of practice and alternating rest and stretching in between. I progress slowly, so it has taken me like forever to move forward, but everyone gets it in their own time Wish you luck dear, you've picked a really fun hobby!
Prncsopowr · 8/2/2010
You are completely normal!! The level one pole class at my studio doesn't go off the floor at all - not even fireman spins. They start with just building up upper body strength and a spin like the catch spin. The whole point is to get you used to the pole and comfortable with it while beginning to build strength to prevent injury. Climbs aren't introduced until level 2-3 (stress on the level three part). Keep at it and keep gaining strength! You will get there but it takes time 😀
minicoopergrl · 8/3/2010
You are completely normal!! The level one pole class at my studio doesn't go off the floor at all - not even fireman spins. They start with just building up upper body strength and a spin like the catch spin. The whole point is to get you used to the pole and comfortable with it while beginning to build strength to prevent injury. Climbs aren't introduced until level 2-3 (stress on the level three part). Keep at it and keep gaining strength! You will get there but it takes time 😀 where do you go? sounds alot like the studio I go to. The strength will come and so will the moves. There are days where I have no strength and there are days I am on it.
myflossybear · 8/11/2010
ok bit of an update... my strength is improving. im able to climb a little and hold a sit if i grip with both hands and legs. still finding gripping with my thighs very sore. and my flexiness is still non existant yet, pole walks and pirouettes round the pole im confident with. im wanting to handstand but i wont let myself put my legs up to do it.any tips on how to overcome the fear of doing it?
Meleania · 8/11/2010
It took me a spotter before I had to confidence to do an elbow stand onto the pole from the floor, I was afraid id miss the pole and flop over and hurt my back!
myflossybear · 8/11/2010
im considering getting a friend to lift my legs to get me used to them being up and help me overcome the fear
Katk · 8/11/2010
I have been practicing handstands against a wall to get used to the feeling and balance. I found this website that was helpful to get started. http://www.beastskills.com/Handstand.htm onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
HellsBells · 8/11/2010
Thanks for posting that Katk it's really interesting! 😀
DesireeMann · 8/22/2010
Hey I am new to pole as well. I feel the same way! I have only poled a few times so far. I just can not find the time.
myflossybear · 9/5/2010
hey sorry i havnt posted in a while. been really busy with work. ive found some pole lessons near to me and theyre at a good price too. i went to the first session and did an elbow stand, pole climb (almost a full pole sit), chair spin, martini spin, spinning climb and loads more! made some new friends too and have been working more on my own pole. i was dead chuffed with myself the other day i was up late poling and i did a crucifix hold with no hands twice!! and managed to do a better climb and sunwheel spin 😛 im getting there! cant wait for my next pole lesson on monday night 😛 🥂 😎
Reyn · 9/6/2010
That's awesome! I too started with very little strength and a slow beginning. I found that in addition to building up strength I was much more motivated to work out when I spent a little time just dancing around my pole (even if I couldn't do many moves yet). But after 8 months of poling I am realizing that I never completely committed myself to it (only working out once a week and not doing any supplemental strength training) and so have plateaued... Now I'm diving in and just started the 100 day workout challenge on another thread so I can gain the strength to perfect the moves I know and finally move forward with new moves! Just don't give up, and work hard! You can get there jet like the rst of the pole dancers here did if you want it enough!
DesireeMann · 9/6/2010
What is your 100 day workout?
Reyn · 9/6/2010
Basically just an extreme consciousness about time spent exercising and being healthy- I'm trying to work out around five times a week as opposed to my previous one day a week ... Come to me, muscles!
Lady Throttle · 9/28/2010
I was the same way. I am still super new to this as it has only been a week for me as well. Day 2 I started noticing myself getting a tad bit stronger and I was telling myself it's only been a day. By practice day 3 with 2 days off in between after my muscle pain went away I was a lot stronger and was shocked by what I could do. I could sit on the pole, with unbelievable pain and burns in the process still sliding a bit. I was able to pull myself up on the pole, but not able to climb the pole yet. Day 4 I was able to pull myself up easier than the day before and was able to hold myself up as well. Sometimes I think I am progressing to fast to where it could be seen as unsafe becuz I was unsure of how often to pole, but after getting a few tips from a fellow poler on youtube and watching tip videos on here I knew I was doing the right thing by spacing my practices to only a few times a week. My first week of practice I only did 4 days out of 7. I am now going to practice probably only 3 days a week now.
calipolepixie · 10/11/2010
I'm fairly new too been poling about 5 months...Don't feel bad! The strength takes awhile to build up and when I say awhile I mean weeks...but honestly I think it all depends on how often you get to/decide to practice! I probably would have been poling climbing and been a little more ahead strength and move wise if I had a pole at home sooner to practice on I think. I was poling close to 3 months before I could climb and I still struggle with climbing a little now days. I just got a pole at home a couple months ago and I've seen a difference in my learning since having a pole to practice on. Practice, practice, practice and just as equally important...patience make perfect! 🙂 Don't give up!
nennyb · 10/22/2010
Hey hun, you are totally normal! I could not hold my own body weight for at least a few weeks and I would be unable to lift my arms above my head for days after a good pole session when I was first starting out. It took me over a month of practicing 2-3 days a week to be able to climb and sit and even then it burnt my skin like crazy. And don't even get me started on the bruises... All I can say is exactly what everyone else has said, it just takes time and lots of practice, but you will get there in the end 🙂