How often do you pole?

stephnicoleex3 started this discussion · 6/21/2013

Just wondering how often you all get to pole? I've been doing every other day usually, sometimes every two days, but I was thinking of cutting it down to 3 days a week, and wanted to know if that would still be a good amount to keep progressing at a steady rate? I really want to build some more muscle/tone up, and even though I am starting to see it by doing pole, I'd really like to do more strength training. I usually do strength stuff and stretching to warm up before I pole, but if I do too much, I start to get sweaty & by the time I get on the pole, I'm slipping :/. I was thinking of doing pole practice one day, strictly strength stuff the next, and then a rest day, and then repeat. I wanted to see if anyone had any input on this?

5 replies

ShonaLancs · 6/22/2013
I pole at least once a week (my lesson) for an hour, and if I dont do pole again that same week I will do something else, usually core exercies. But it really depends on how I feel, I usually do fits and starts, like this week I have done an hour of pole, an hour core, then yesterday did an hour of silks followed by another hour of pole.... Sometimes you just get the buzz and want to be on it all the time and sometimes you cant be bothered. When I started I did at least 2 hours a week to build strength but now I am just chilling out and enjoying my journey...if I do 4 hours ace, i must be in the mood, if I do one, life has taken over... So I have never done it every other day but I have been doing it for nearly 2 years and have built a lot of muscle (see my abs progress pics!) without going mental on the exercise :) just try a regime for a few weeks and see how it works for you. But, most importantly enjoy your journey and time on the pole. Have fun Also, see Veenas lessons for suggestions on frequency of exercise and search the forum because there are a lot of existing threads discussing this topic x
stephnicoleex3 · 6/22/2013
Thank you!! I'm trying to not make myself go crazy, but I kind of am lol. I'm starting to be a little better to where if I'm really not in the mood to get on the pole, or do much of anything exercise related, I don't force myself to do it. I try and get on the pole at least every two days, and I usually WANT to.....sometimes I don't want to do every other day, and I've been more lenient with myself to realize I don't HAVE to. I don't want to make it a chore, I want it to keep being fun! But, I just don't want to slow down my progression or muscle building, and sometimes I feel like every two days isn't enough....or that when I do pole, I'm not doing enough (hence the idea of working out off of the pole). I think i'm too hard on myself sometimes, but I really would like to build more muscle, and I know for a fact that with just pole, I have, but it's definitely been a decently slow progression & seeing this little progress makes me want to do more lol.
ShonaLancs · 6/22/2013
I know what you are saying, once you see progress you want more, I am the same. BUT remember that to build muscle you have to let it repair, that means rest. So you could do exercise everyday but you would have to focus on different muscle groups allowing the others to rest and repair and grow. Pole is a journey to be enjoyed. I rushed mine in the beginning and got injured - tendinitis in my forearms and a pulled hamstring. Both forced me to rest and move on to different things in my pole journey. I learnt a valuable lesson to take my time, there is no race. I think people underestimate what an intense and hardcore workout pole is. You are lifting & holding your entire body weight even just in beginner moves, you wouldn't walk into a gym and start lifting 9 stone everyday would you? Pole is exactly the same. Don't forget it takes 6 weeks minimum to see changes in your body from a change you have made to your diet or exercise regime.
RoseMay · 6/23/2013
When you say strength training, what do you mean by that? In the end you're gonna have to find out on your own whether a new training schedule works with your body, your lifestyle and nutrition. If your strength training includes upper body training and you're doing pole dance in between your strength training days you're probably gonna run into troubles with recovery sooner or later. For me I find I can manage this schedule pretty easily with 1-2 rest days per week for a longer period of time (I think that's what you suggested in your post?): day 1: pole dance day 2: strength training (upper body) day 3: rest (or lower body stuff: strength or flexibility) If the strength training on day 2 is full body the third day can be used for flexibility training. But this means only two days of poling per week and only two days of strength training per week - so progress will be slowed in both of them. I've also poled only every other day, without extra strength training. Then I added some strength moves for reps at the end of each poling session - at that point the sweating doesn't bother me that much. This would mean 3-4 days of poling per week - so obviously faster progress with poling than general strength. Also, make sure you eat enough quality food if you want to build muscle :-)
mizzli · 6/23/2013
I usually do a class a week which lasts an hour and then practice at home for around 3 hours maybe three/four times a week. It depends how i tired i am after work. I have progressed so much with the home practice but its important to remember not to overdo it or push too hard when trying to get a move. Its also advised to do at least 30 mins of activity five times a week to stay healthy. I hope pole counts anyway!! :)