Inverts, which side of the pole?

verticalgymnast6995 started this discussion · 5/5/2014

I am right handed, but I find it easiear and more natural to invert on the left side of the pole ( my non-dominat hand closer to pole when standing beside it). Is this unsafe? I have heard the dominant hand should end up at the top for better support. I have been away form pole for over a year, and getting back into training. I have the opportunity to correct any bad habits, since it has been a while. Any opinions on the subject? Thanks!

12 replies

Phoenix Hunter · 5/5/2014
You should train both sides. one side may be always be more dominant but you want to train both sides. training only one side would be like lifting weights on only your right arm.
Veena · 5/5/2014
There's no correct side to invert on, you should be working on inverting on both sides 😊
verticalgymnast6995 · 5/5/2014
Thank you both for your replies. I do train everything on boths sides, or even more so on my weaker side to compensate. But I thought perhaps because of being upside down and safety concerns, they were correct about having the strongest on the top, such as in the Butterfly. It is just so much easier the other way for me. Gald to know I can continue :)
Phoenix Hunter · 5/6/2014
If you don't feel safe doing a move like a butterfly on your non dominant side just work . on something a step down in difficulty and build up to a butterfly. If you know you can't support your body don't do a full butterfly yet. Do a basic butterfly till it becomes easy. Or stay close to the pole in your butterfly do not push out far away from the pole. I'm struggling with this same move right now! :) one side is solid the other is a step or two behind. I'm doing like you said and doing double on my non dom side to catch up. So frustrating :)
Phoenix Hunter · 5/6/2014
And I'm staying close to the pole on my non dom side for now. Every now and then I will push out and hold it a little bit longer each time.
RobynPoleDancer · 5/7/2014
Personally, I'd say that (while you "should" train evenly on both sides, you will always have one side that you prefer), if you are right handed, you'll start hugging the pole into your left side. This puts your strong hand as the top hand in so many moves, including Butterfly, Switch-Up, and Superman. It also means your strong invert side matches many of your spins (to create spin-to-inverts). Keep training the inverts both sides tho, you'll be thankful when you're looking at doing torso swapping aerial tricks!
verticalgymnast6995 · 5/7/2014
I am (or used to be) at an intermediate level. Had 2 babies in between! ;) so when I recently got back, and following a progresive strenght program, I heard repetedly to have my dominant hand on top... but it just makes my life more complicated at this point. I guess my question would now be, since it is ok to invert with the weak arm on top, is there a benefit? I assume since my spins are mostly easier on my dominat arm, inverting with the weak arm would balance some musclular training. But looking at a pro-level, would it be a problem in the long run? I haven't tried advanced combos, but I hope one day. Having to re-learn at that level would be difficult, and even though we always should practice on both sides, when doing a demo we all choose our friendlier side ;) Thank you all!
Phoenix Hunter · 5/7/2014
at a "pro-level" they are able to use both sides easily even though they may naturally be inclined to choose one side. Your benefit would be , being able to progress, being safe. if one hand is too weak to invert it would be very difficult to expect that same hand to hold you upside down on the pole in a more advanced move I guess. If you want to get to an advanced level then it would definitely be safer for you to be bilaterally strong at a beginner and intermediate level. I'm kind of surprised that a program would teach you to have your dominant hand on top. I'm guessing for a performance that would be fine, because you wanna do what is very comfortable for you, but that doesn't seem like an ideal way of training. you are smart because you are working hard on both sides, so good for you! sounds like you are working hard, I'm sure you will get back to your former level faster than you think. Welcome back! and congrats on the two kiddos. :)
Kate O · 5/8/2014
I was going to ask this same question! I'm right handed and learned to invert with the pole in my left armpit, right hand on top. I will work on the other side too, but that's my 'strong' side - but I've been seeing a lot of right handers doing it the other way!
Veena · 5/8/2014
I feel the most important thing is to at least TRY every new move on BOTH sides, just because you feel you have a stronger or more flexible side doesn't mean you should only work with that side, you may surprise yourself when it comes to what feel more comfortable, if you try both sides! Once you get into more advanced work, still try both sides but then stay with the side the feel most comfortable.
Charley · 5/9/2014
Personally, I think it is best to invert on the side that is strongest in your outside leg hang. I generally advise figuring out which is your dominate leg. I used to do right handed vs left handed but I found that wasn't necessarily correct for most people. I am right handed and I invert with the pole on my right arm pit with my left hand high - some right dominate people find this very difficult as their right leg likes to come up first. I teach the basic invert on both sides for this reason. Your dominate side will the be side when in outside leg hang you feel most secure. Thus far this concept has been very good for my students. My right leg is more flexible than my left though I typically split left leg first - what happens is in outside leg hang - which is for most more difficult than inside leg hang - I am able to take advantage of being able to get my most flexible leg back behind me to help provide balance and further lock in my knee grip. What else is interesting to me is that as I advanced and was able to jade because I hand dominate from my left leg that meant that my most flexible leg cam forward in my jade providing a better line. I first attempted learning jade on "strong" leg and I couldn't get it flat, when I went outside leg hang into jade it was much easier.
CD Hussey fka Jivete · 5/12/2014
Because pole uses a stacked grip, it would highly recommend training your inversions on both sides. I made the mistake early on not switching my inversions (and hip-keys since I'm a silks gal) and ended up with a rhomboid issue. Luckily with silks you can split fabric and have an equal grip, and there are alternative entry methods for many moves, but it still took a long time for me to be able to do inversions off to the side like we do in pole.