Introduction, need some success stories?

poloballerino started this discussion · 1/11/2013

Hello everyone. Finding myself here after much googling and desperation! So, I only bought my xpole xpert yesterday - it arrived today and I have been on it twice and for about an hour in total. Not long at all, and I know I was never going to walk into this, grab the pole and become an immediate dancer. BUUUT. I can't even seem to get my feet off the floor for any amount of time?! or definitely not, be able to "pull" myself up onto the pole.. I have spun around the pole a couple of times, with quite a push/jump, both feet off the floor for about 3 seconds at any one spin lol. Even then, it looked and felt clumsy. I also notice my hands are really sweaty/slippery which doesn't help at all. Desperately want to stick at this and see it through. Any tips/advice for starting out? Any success stories from those who have self-taught? I think I need a little motivation here.. :(

16 replies

Sasha87 · 1/11/2013
Hiya, you got to start simple and do exercises to condition your body like sit ups, push ups etc and stretches for flexibility. I've been using the pole for 8 weeks an have only managed to climb as I didn't have the upper body strength but with just walking around the pole and basic spins I could feel my arms getting toned so don't feel discouraged just keep at it but don't rush it or you can injure yourself. I got 4 DVDs off eBay for £4.99 that teaches you in stages and also has pole conditioning exercise, I also got a bottle of mighty grip off eBay. I hope this has helped you
poloballerino · 1/12/2013
Thank you so much Sasha for your response. My arms ache really badly todaay, dont know if thats a bad thing or a good thing, showing that they are getting the muscles there worked. I will look out for some Dvds and grip aid. I heard Dry Hands was really good for pole dancers. I also find I cling into the pole, almost afraid to pick my feet off the floor at times, hope this gets easier with practice. Taking my hat off to all you pole dancers - it's nowhere near as easy and effortless as it looks :) xx
Sasha87 · 1/12/2013
The aches are a good thing but as the muscles get stronger they will ache less. Check out pole_dance_heaven on eBay you will find what you need.
Legend · 1/12/2013
First, welcome and gz for getting a pole! you'r life may never be the same again :) about your first experience, don't worry it's totally normal! when I first got my pole for a while I suspected I've been sold a fake, or that I've bought a diferent kind of pole from the one I've seen other people do tricks on.. I had no strength, no grip, no skills, no clue... I'd recomend, besides what Sasha87 said, to find a local studio, classes always help, or get the lessons here. Veena's lessons are excelent and very well organized, plus you'll find everything you need to start building strenght and flexibility. If you can, get both options! Its hard learning on your own, but dont despair, it gets better faster than you think :)
Runemist34 · 1/12/2013
Hey! Welcome to the forums! I started out a little rough, and I understand how things go in the beginning- those first few spins take a lot of bravery! And a full hour on the pole is awesome! That's like, an entire regular workout for me! My first, and possibly most important piece of advice for you: Do not ever compare yourself to someone else! Those ladies who can pull themselves up with just their arms, or do spins with one arm and their legs completely off the pole? They've been training hardcore for a loong time! Or, they have a dance/gymnastic background. Their bodies are ready for that kind of strain! I've been dancing off and on for four and a half years- my longest "off" was 8 months. I've only just recently managed to get my basic invert! And I couldn't be happier. I'm going at my own pace, gaining muscle the way I do, and each small step is something to revel and rejoice in! Your best resources are a local studio, and failing that, the Studio Veena website. I don't have a studio in town anymore, and this place has been amazing. I've learned so much from the lessons and videos, and the members here on the forum! You can also try DVDs, such as Jamilla DeVille's Art of Pole series. They're really well put together, and have a (rather hardcore) conditioning section on each DVD. Not all of us polers have amazing flexibility or strength, but we're here and we're still respected, because we love to dance and we love to share! We're all on our own, personal pole journey, and we can all understand that different people have different challenges! From health problems to mental blocks... we're all here to support each other, and not to compare! I hope you have fun :)
Veena · 1/12/2013
Hi chelle2pole! You have a great resource in the lessons here. 🥂 Pole dancing is challenging! The lessons here offer strength and conditioning to prepare you for the demands of pole. All lessons are placed in order allowing you to build strength first. Also we now have a 30 day take off program! This is included in the lessons and lays out exactly what you should do from the warm up to stretching everyday for 30 days! Here is the introduction video for the program if you're interested. https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/50e4694e-a85c-4fa0-8e66-61940ac37250
megan12 · 1/12/2013
Welcome! Firstly, make sure to clean your pole. You have to break it in. X-poles usually have a coating that lingers post-factory. I like Windex, it works wonders. But if that doesn't fix the "sweaty hands" issue, you could try a grip aid like Mighty Grip. In terms of strength, like everyone else said, it just takes time. Think of how often in your daily life that you pull yourself up on something. Ever, never? lol. We have to condition our muscles to be able to do what we want. When I started I couldn't climb the pole, sit on it. Nothing. Now I can hang upside down, all around. It's because I practiced and conditioned so my muscles can bear my weight. One last thing to keep in mind, I don't know if you're trying to do this stuff in spin or static but spin is going to make everything more difficult for you at the beginning. Stick to static to build up some muscles. Good luck!!
Charley · 1/12/2013
For sweaty hands: make sure your hands are really clean before you pole - use a dish washing liquid as opposed to handsoap that might havbe extras in it to soften your hands. Try tite grip which as anti perspirant or Dirty Girl Poletice which is a mask that prevents sweating. You can find them both online :) ...And finally - don't worry about spinning and climbing the pole right now - take some time and get to know the pole - dance around it - work on transitions and have fun! Just by spending time dancing you will build up strength - it takes time. If you don't have a pole studio near you - try Veena's new 30 day program :)
poloballerino · 1/12/2013
Wow, massive massive thank you to you ALL for coming here, reading and responding. I feel a thousand times better already. Today, I have cleaned the pole. I have also been online and found some grip aid, (it never harms eh!). I haven't been back on the pole much as such... I feel very achy and all seems a bit daunting. But I have read everyones replies and have just purchased the first 30 days of Veenas lessons. I have decided against doing anything today and starting the routine tomorrow night when the little ones are in bed. I will do each days lesson every day for the next month and see how I am by the end of that, then purchase the next lesson batch and so on :) Feeling a little more pole-enthusiastic now. My pole was on Spinning Mode, I've just switched it to static, and am hoping that will help out a lot too. Just one last question for you all who have taken Veenas' lessons.... I've skipped through them all just to see what I'm likely to be doing within the next 30 days and wondered if any of you had got to the lessons where you're doing spins and holds, climbing etc, and found you couldn't do them on the day of that lesson? I am worried about this, and also unsure about if/when I cross that problem, do I keep re-practicing that lesson until it works, or keep moving on through? Thanks ladies, what a BRILLIANT supportive community you've all got here. So glad to be a part of StudioVeena ! :D :D
Desiree Lust · 1/12/2013
This just reminded me of when I bought my first pole-it was one of those cheap $50 ones-so, you ever seen those YouTube videos where the poles disengage from the ceiling and the girl face plants? Yeppp...that was me. Lesson number one-invest in a good quality pole lol I wish I had known better when I stumbled into the pole world haha. I think we all struggle when first starting out-I started in a gym on spinny poles so you could only imagine how much of a hard time I had even pulling myself up.. However, for me personally, it's made doing tricks on static easier because i was kinda forced to build up that extra strength. Now what I've found, is that this site is really your best bet if you are self-teaching. The gyms can get really expensive, and I didn't care for any of the other classes-all I wanted was the pole classes and $100 a month was just way too much and classes fill up quickly. I still go once in a blue moon just to learn some fun combos or even just to physically be around other polers that are going through the same struggles. It visually reminds me that I'm not a the only one that can't nail tricks on the first try, even though in my mind I want to. Here I pay what I would have for a month(if i could even get in) and get a years worth of lessons! Another plus to SV is you can work at your own pace-when you want, as long as you want. The lessons are very well broken down and best of all, the ladies(and gentlemen ;) here are very very supportive-we help each other out in all aspects-tricks,personal stuff, you name it, we're here for you. At the end of the day, poling becomes more of an addiction, a hobby, an OBSESSION!! Annnndd it's honestly gotta bethe most fun way to get fit! Physically and mentally-you'll not only develop muscle tone, but you'll feel sexy, comfortable in your own skin but most importantly, CONFIDENCE. Happy poling!!
hookedonpole · 1/13/2013
Let me be another veneer to welcome you! This is a great place to have fun, learn, get support and encouragement. As has been said, don't compare yourself to others. Everyone progresses differently, can learn different things at different times, etc. Poling takes time to develop strength. When I first started years ago I was already very active at a gym and weight power flex class. But at my first two pole classes I couldn't even do a simple pole up! I was shocked. I have had veena's lessons on a yearly basis about twice already. I still found there were some things I couln't seem to get for some reason. As long as I was sure I could strength-wise, I would skip to the next one or so. I don't know how veena would feel about that. It's just my brain/body could not comprehend a technique or something so I'd go to another lesson. Of course, there were some I would't try because I was not confident enough, especially without a spotter. Just have fun and enjoy progressing at your pace. There are some things I know I'll never get and that's okay for me. I'm also not a "pole dancer" as most, I pole for workout and exercise. I'm not good a the dancing part, and that's okay also. If you can, join Friday chat, it's a lot of fun.
ShonaLancs · 1/13/2013
Welcome to the world of pole! My first suggestion is buy veenas lessons, do the conditioning work as much as you can do allowing your body to rest, start stretching now using veenas lessons, my last suggestion take videos of your progress, even though you feel like you suck now in only 6 weeks you will see a huge difference if you keep working on it all weekly. Pole is an addictive and an amazing journey, it's going to take you places you never expected :-) enjoy the ride!
Poleluver · 1/16/2013
I also have been poling off and on for 4 years. It can be inspiring to look at all the tutorials and videos online but also depressing at times. Pole is a love/ hate relationship at times and lack of progress or inability makes you think why can't I . Be patient with yourself. My advice is to treat your hands and wrists well. Too much computer, or work that weakens and tires them will keep you away from practicing your more difficult things. Enjoy and look through the site for your questions along the way....so much valuable info. I myself have some people here I look up to, I really miss renaladybugs videos , watching her progress.... She has a strong will and is very strong.
Paunobs · 1/16/2013
We all started where you are, Veena has some great advice:), before you know it you will be doing amazing things you never though possible:) good luck keep at it.
SpyralBound · 1/17/2013
chelle2pole, welcome! In regards to your last question, it takes more than one practice session to "conquer" a move, even the beginner moves. Transitions, walking around the pole and doing body waves and such, will likely not take very long to pick up. But as you move into spins, holds and climbs, you might find you can't get the hang of them right away. Or you might find one variation easier than another - I learned the Back Hook Spin much easier than the Front Hook, it took several months for my Front Hook to look as nice as the Back. You will also find some moves HURT quite a bit and it takes time to get used to the pain. Your first time doing a pole sit or pole climb will likely hurt a lot, and you won't be able to stay up there for very long. Don't let that discourage you! If you keep practicing, before you know it you won't even notice the pain of a Pole Sit. I'm an intermediate dancer and I still have to remind myself when learning new moves that hurt, to keep practicing them until they don't hurt. It's a "mind over matter" thing in most cases. That said, if something REALLY hurts, and I mean more than just the ache of your skin being pulled on but like deep muscular pain, shooting pain in your arms and wrists, stop what you're doing. Rest periods are very important to the beginning pole dancer; you don't want to seriously injure yourself because that could mean you're off the pole for weeks or even months. So in short, pay attention to what your body is telling you, take your time progressing through the lessons, and don't get discouraged by things you 'can't do.' Because it's not that you can't do them, it's that you can't do them...YET. :)
portableninja · 1/17/2013
Another thing to keep in mind is this: you are a beginner pole dancer, so anything new that you try is going to feel clumsy at first. We've all been there. It's totally fine, and completely normal. Don't let it make you feel discouraged. Many people decide they want to try pole dancing after watching Youtube videos of Jenyne Butterfly, Felix Cane, Alethea Austin, etc. That's sort of like someone deciding to take beginner gymnastics classes after watching the Olympics, or taking a beginner ballet class after seeing a performance of the Nutcracker. It's important to have pole role models, but it's easy to get caught up in how amazing they are, and how you're not even close. But it's OK. A lot of sweat and hard work goes into getting good at pole, especially if you are not coming from a gymnastics or dance background. One of the things I really love about Studio Veena is that I regularly get to hear from, and see pictures and videos of regular people, with a wide range of body types and skill levels. It makes me feel a lot better about myself and my own progress.