Maintaining pole strength during time away

Cherished started this discussion · 8/31/2012

I was wondering if any of you have any exercises you do to hold on to your pole strength if you won't have any pole access and limited gym access for a little while. I am just on the verge of learning a few new moves and will be going away in two weeks. Not only will I lose my momentum but probably come back with a less strength which I hate!!!! I wish everywhere on earth came equipped with a pole! If you have any pole deprivation survival tacticts please post :)

5 replies

Runemist34 · 9/1/2012
Basic strength exercises really help me- I use them to increase my strength for the pole, actually. I use weights, but I'm hoping to transition out of using them... as soon as I can do some push ups properly! So, I'd recommend push ups, since they work a lot of the arm and back muscles (you can look up how to do a "proper" push up on the internet). Also, you can look up a lot of core muscle exercises online; I prefer this one: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/ss/Quick-Core-Workout.htm I can't think of much else... just keep moving! And, if you have Veena's lessons, totally go with those as much as you can, too!
Cherished · 9/1/2012
Thanks for the suggestions Runemist. I really want to preserve any pole strength that I can.
poledanceromance · 9/1/2012
Just one bit of advice on the pushups Runey because not everyone is as careful with their body and training as you are. If you have damage to your shoulders from training, it's a good idea to be cleared by a doctor before adding a ton of push ups to your routine, and make sure your form is 100% correct when you do. I do have shoulder damage and I get a similar workout by holding a full plank and lowering it slowly to the ground several times. For added challenge lower it down, stopping three times on the way down and holding for ten count, once at the top, once at the middle, and once hovering right over the floor. Pushups are more about building muscle endurance than building tons of strength, so keep that goal in mind and don't feel pressured to be able to "drop and give me 20" lol.
RoseMay · 9/2/2012
While there are lots of exercises you can do ... i think the single most important exercise for pole strength is the pull-up/chin-up! I would get a portable pull-up bar that you can put into a doorway and remove easily for travelling (they aren't that expensive). Then you can work on pull-ups and all the variations: chin-ups, commando pull-ups, negatives, assisted ones for reps, inverted rows, ... Also if you have that bar you can work on ab and grip strength with hanging leg raises and variations, depending on how strong you are currently :-) Oh, and not to forget, exercises without equipment: handstands, elbowstands, forearm stands ...! Have fun! :-)
byrdgrrl · 9/2/2012
Keep in mind that some of Veena's strength lessons can be done using a doorframe instead of a pole, and most places pretty much always have at least one door.