I got my pole....now what?

stephnicoleex3 started this discussion · 5/2/2013

So, I got my pole yesterday!!! It wasn't set up until late, so I didn't get to do much with it. But, it is so intimidating lol. I have SO much to learn, I have SO much strength to gain....but I really want to do it! I don't know where to start. Should I start with lessons on here? Should I just get a feel for the pole myself? I discovered I have very little upper body stregnth....although I already figured that lol. I feel like there is so much to learn, that I don't know WHERE to start. Also. I feel as though the pole is a little slippery to me? It's hard, because this is my very first time on a pole. I don't know HOW it's supposed to feel. I got the lil mynx powder coat, and I heard that that should be more grippy....but I feel like I was slipping a little (my hands were kind of sweaty, even from just a short "workout" :/). Is that normal? Is that how the pole is supposed to feel? I felt like even just spinning, I was spinning fairly fast for being on static, and also slid down the pole, and I don't think that's supposed to happen? I'm sorry to make this long, and with tons of questions. But, now that I have my pole, I will probably be FULL of them lol. I have watched soooo many pole dancing videos, that I thought I would have at least a little clue of what to do with my pole....but I don't. haha. Help?! :)

28 replies

chemgoddess1 · 5/2/2013
I would seriously get the lessons here. Veena has a 30 day start off that is really good and I think they are still running the GET3FREE promotion (3 days free). What people starting out do not understand is the amount of hand grip required for pole. I will never have to have someone open a jar for me ever again! And Welcome!!
stephnicoleex3 · 5/2/2013
Chemgoddess, thank you! I really think I'm going to get the lessons. I see that it's recurring....do you happen to know if I can cancel at anytime?! Also, I figured! I figured it'd be something with me being a complete beginner, rather than the pole being slippery. It's still all very new to me, and like I said, I have no idea how it's "supposed" to feel or how to properly do anything lol. My hands definitely were a little clammy, and I was definitely a little slippery, but maybe that's because I don't have a good grip yet?
calipolepixie · 5/2/2013
Welcome to SV! Everything you are describing is normal & things that most of us dealt with when we started pole-the not knowing where to start, hands slipping, no strength etc. It all will get better/improve the more you practice pole. I highly recommend Veena's lessons as well because they are great & go in order, so that you build strength as you learn new moves & her lessons go at an easy to follow pace, which is awesome.
calipolepixie · 5/2/2013
Yes you can cancel Veena's lessons at anytime. Go to the profile tab, click account & follow steps once in there to cancel.
dustbunny · 5/2/2013
Welcome aboard! Definitely get the lessons. The full year is the best value BY FAR and is not automatically recurring. The 1 or 2 month options will automatically renew every 1 or 2 months unless you go into your paypal account and cancel the subscription. By the way, you can cancel the subscription at any time and not lose the time you have paid for. Example: If you buy the 30 day option you can cancel the subscription in paypal the same day and still have 30 days of lesson access. That way you don't have to keep track of the days you have left. And yes, as a beginner you will likely have little to no grip and very little upper body strength (unless you have done other activities that train those areas), but don't worry Veena's lessons start right at the very beginning and will help you to build up gradually. She has a lot of variety of lessons too, stretching, pole moves, conditioning, hoop, foam rolling, and even lap dance! You can go into the lesson section and see the variety and quantity of lessons available without buying them too, you just can't actually watch them. :) Good luck with your journey and feel free to post as many questions as you have, you can also try searching your questions on the site and finding answers in old threads. Don't get discouraged, pole dancing isn't easy, but if you stick with it you have so much to gain.
stephnicoleex3 · 5/2/2013
Thank you!! That actually makes me a little happy to know that it is normal for all of this to happen when first starting out! lol. I think I will get the lessons tonight & start! I have not done much at all to have upper body strength....so I hardly have any. I am going to stick with it! I didn't think it'd be easy....but honestly didn't think it'd be so hard lol. I'm excited to start learning though, and eventually I will know what I'm doing! :)
PoleLeo · 5/2/2013
I feel ya, I got my pole 2 months ago and thought "I'm gonna rule this!"... The pole, my body, and mind all proved me wrong. However, in the past 2 months I feel I have grown stronger physically and even more mentally and spiritually. It's unbelievable how much more self reflective pole has made me. After i got my pole up I immediately started climbing and inverting because I thought I was physically capable... Well after two weeks of that my back had to tell me I wasn't ready for that. Honestly though, I am thankful that i was open enough to listen to my body before i seriously injured or damaged something. Definitely take the other ladies advice on here and do the lessons, the breakdown of moves and tricks helps immensely, as well as just take your time, listen to your body and don't let your mind get polluted with negative thoughts (easier said than done, i know). I definitely am very new to pole, but what I've learned from these ladies on SV and myself has helped greatly. sorry this is a novel :) Welcome to SV (this site and the ladies are awesome) and congrats on the start of your pole journey. You're going to love it!
zoeyxxxx · 5/2/2013
welcome. I found my first pole very slippy I had a bit of strenth n ok grip bit from what I got told poles need to be worn in a touch but it does get better :). sv lessons are supose to be agreat place to start. your at the begging of your pole journey were I found my strenth increase lots each week and at the wuickest rate. sum days you msy feel like your not doing much but trust me you are. you will have hood days and days were you just cnt seem to lift your own arse lol. just rember every dancer started were you are we all learn at diffrent speeds sum off is are good at flexibility were otherd are better at tricks. we all have strong points and weak. but keep at it n you will be addicted before you no it :) xxx
Lyme Lyte · 5/2/2013
I tried to learn on my own and got so frustrated i almost took my pole down! GotVeenas leasons and it was awesome! You just need to do it....worth EVERY penny!
hookedonpole · 5/3/2013
Welcome to sv and pole journey! When I found pole few years ago I was very active with weights and power flex at a gym, but with pole I could not even do a simple climb or pole hold. It's a totally different strength world :) It takes time and good thing you are starting here with people who know correct technique, etc. I was taught inverts incorrectly and had to start over when I found veena's lessons. Her lessons are awesome, I've had the year subscription twice, it's great price. In fact I need to get them again to work on more and her combo lessons. Remember, take your time, listen to your body, everyone progresses differently so don't compare yourself, AND have fun🥂
mssoulpole · 5/3/2013
Hi, and welcome to SV I've had my pole for 2 weeks and lovin it. I got the 1 year subscriptions to Veena's lessons they are great! the 1 year will get you the best bang for your buck. you won't regret it. Have Fun!
stephnicoleex3 · 5/3/2013
Thank you ladies! I have bought the lessons, and started last night. I just have to say, wow!! lol...I definitely did not think pole dancing was a cake walk, but I did not realize just how much strength it requires & how hard it is, especially when you're just beginning. I could hardly do a pole hold :/ and once I got to another exercise that required me to pull up, I was just completely unable to do it. I am now going to do the 30 day take off (last night I was just going through beginning strength training) and follow that :). I definitely have a long way to go, but am ready to stick with it & get better & stronger!!
chemgoddess1 · 5/3/2013
You will be amazed at how quickly that changes though. That is what makes this so addictive! You can actually feel and see the progress you are making. Oh, you can start to bid farewell to any button down shirts you may own; if you stick with it in about 6 months you will be busting out of them!
stephnicoleex3 · 5/3/2013
That's good to hear! I am one to get discouraged easily....I hate it, but it's the way I've always been. After seeing my first pole dancing video, I became hooked & knew I wanted to try it out for myself. So, here I am!! lol. I am trying to have complete mind of matter, and not get discouraged that I have no upper body strength, when poling requires so much of it....I will get there! Poling makes your chest bigger?! lol.
calipolepixie · 5/3/2013
Poling makes your arms & shoulders bigger! And my chest cavity is definitely more pronounced
Palace · 5/3/2013
Yeah, I still have to chime in and say....I still dislike the bigger arms. I have gone down two dress sizes and yet my arms are larger than when I started...much more muscular but larger. :(
chemgoddess1 · 5/3/2013
Learning to work through plateaus will be necessary once you get to a certain point. That is usually when people give up. I have worked on moves for months before getting them (some even year and I still do not have them). There are a lot of transitions moves that I urge you to start learning and perfecting that do not take a lot of strength but do take balance and flow. You can tell the girls who are trick based because they have issues flowing from the pole to the ground to the pole again or even from one move to the next. There is so much more than just being on the pole so when you start getting frustrated "take it to the floor".
chemgoddess1 · 5/3/2013
Oh, yeah, BTW, I have to buy large or extra large tops now. And I am a size 8/10.
Palace · 5/3/2013
Chemgoddess1---Love that "take it to the floor". Yeah, I'm not a 8/10. Went from a 14/16 to 10/12. But the arms are tighter in my clothing than when I was a 14/16. BTW, 8/10 is my goal.
Autumn Sky · 5/3/2013
When I started poling a year ago, I had NO upper body strength. I can honestly say I never have had any upper body strength in my life before poling. When I started taking classes, I never thought I would be able to do a pole hold. A year later I am amazed at the strength I have built. I am one of those people that like to see immediate results, but strength building is not one of them. Do not get discouraged. It does take time, practice, and perseverance, but the pay off is amazing! BTW-how far east are you in NC?
PlatinumAni · 5/3/2013
Welcome to SV. The ladies have given great advice and I am happy you got Veena's lessons. :)
Palace · 5/3/2013
Veena's lessons are awesome. I take a pole conditioning class at a studio every Sunday and Tuesday with a very touch instructor. Yet Veena's conditioning still kicks my butt. This says a lot about her expectations and understanding of the body mechanics. The 30 day challenge is by far the way to go and can be done in conjunction with other exercises, especially straight cardio,.
Mummyof3 · 5/3/2013
Have you tried steam cleaning your pole? Also I love a bit of mighty grip on slippy days although it makes a mess of the pole!
Mummyof3 · 5/3/2013
Have you tried steam cleaning your pole? Also I love a bit of mighty grip on slippy days although it makes a mess of the pole!
Paula Floyd · 5/3/2013
welcome! lots of great advice here! (i should have made a post like this in december when i joined lol) but the lessons are fantastic. i have had a pole off and on for years. but never really trained on it...i got serious in December. and didn't know where to start learning properly. so started with the first lesson...went latterly threw everything from the little warm ups and work outs, beginner moves ...i am a perfectionist...in work and pole. so it was hard to not get frustrated...but once i started posting videos and getting all the positive feedback and wonderful girls calling me out on beating my self up about a "bad practice" lol i get it now...just have patience. the hand strength takes time. the little muscles and for that matter bigger muscles it takes to lift your self in all the different pole moves. and skin tolerance! (my skin hates me) just takes time. and you will slowly start to see progress each week. my biggest bit of advice is warm up every time, start on static for your moves before you try them on spin if your grip isn't there yet. and stretch after. and don't pole every day! i have strained the tendons in the back of my hands/writs from poling too much... so hard not to...its so fun and fantastic. good full rest day at lest in between :) so i think my rambol has gone on long enough lol welcome! post vid's! so we can all cheer you on! it is an amazing family here!

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