Partner questions if pole is ALL good

BassAddict started this discussion · 4/5/2013

So last night was my first advanced class, loved it :) My boyfriend is very supportive and watches almost all of my practices and helps me figure out moves and lately I've been working really hard and doing it every other day. I bruise easily and a lot. We were laying in bed and he was saying that he sometimes wonders if pole isnt good for me because he can barely touch me without hitting a bruise and thinks that I get really tense because of it, I also seem to stay awake for hours after practicing, its hard to fall asleep after a night of practice. I see his point and he still supports poling but I was just wondering, have any of your partners said similar things to you before?

11 replies

Pssst Little Kitty · 4/5/2013
I don't know about the bruising but I do know for a fact that some people can't fall asleep so easily if they work out within a few hours of bedtime. It happens to me sometimes. But I've noticed if I do some serious stretching and relaxing stuff after I get super tired.
calipolepixie · 4/5/2013
Yep, my husband has scolded me a few times when I have pushed myself too far poling and ended up so sore I could barely walk. We do sometimes need a little reminding that our bodies need a break and time to recoup ;)
Hazi411 · 4/6/2013
Yep, I've had the "all this bruising can't be good for you...it's blood vessels rupturing...you don't know what damage you might be doing to yourself that you'll end up paying for later" thing. I bruise fairly easily (had inner thigh bruising from knee to hoohaa for weeks when learning pole sits and leanouts (like a CAR but horizontal, holding on with one hand) I've also had a couple of bad-ish falls. Fell backwards from "hello boys" once and got concussion, and face-planted from caterpillar....looked like I'd had a bad Botox job). One visit to A&E, and one ambulance callout (almost worth it as one of the paramedics was hottt!). Husband (and Mum) wanted me to give up pole, but I refused flat out. Giving up pole is totally non-negotiable!
FlyingFireBird · 4/6/2013
Sometimes support comes in the form of a gentle reminder to take it easy. My husband is super supportive but knows that I'm the type of person who will push myself to the point of injury to get a move. He reminds me to take it easy so I don't injure myself.
Runemist34 · 4/7/2013
Generally, I try not to push myself so hard that I'm covered in bruises- then again, I don't bruise that easily! I tend to be tough and just brush off the pain, as it's temporary. Sleeping right after a workout is pretty much impossible for me. If it was a good workout, I'm so high on endorphins that I feel like I never need sleep ever again! So I've got to give it a few hours. I try to practice about 4+ hours before bedtime. I think we can all appreciate that our guys may be worried for us, but also that they're supportive of us! Women are tough and we keep going, well past the point of "normal," sometimes. We have a different experience of pain, I think. So, perhaps it's good for them to remind us that we've got other things going on in our lives that pole has to make room for, too ;) And it's up to us to find out our limits and balance life properly!
ShonaLancs · 4/7/2013
Tell him they are not bruises they are pole kisses 😉
BassAddict · 4/7/2013
Great answers ladies! I am definitely a determined poler and I try very hard to get moves even if I'm up on the pole in some weird position trying to get into it for a minute or two. Lately I've been working on laybacks into arrow and I have found that does create some new bruising I hadnt had before. I try to use arnicare to take aways some of the tenderness and tell him that even I cant touch myself in the areas of bruising and burn without hurting myself but I think he just takes it personally. He has been wondering when I'll get to the point of not getting bruised so much and I honestly dont know how long a body takes to get used to that. I've been training every other day and hes beginning to think I should take a lil break but I'm not sure. There are certain areas of my body that dont want to be used on some days so I try to use different parts on those days.
ginger78 · 4/7/2013
Remember that your body needs rest too. Alternate types of workouts so yo are getting your full body workout without overworking a single area. And take a total rest day. You won't build muscle and strength if you are not giving your body a chance to do its job. The bruising will stop in some areas but its gonna happen, guys just don't get we are holding ourselves and putting a lot of pressure on a small area. New move - New bruise.
FlyingFireBird · 4/8/2013
Laybacks/cross ankle releases will stop bruising but you do have to give them time to heal. Mixing up your practice a little might help. At the same time I totally get it. My husband has had to watch out for spots on me too sometimes.
Dirty Girl POLEtice · 4/9/2013
Yes, give yourself at least a few days to heal your bruises. I suggest not only arnica gel/cream as SOON as your pole session is done, before you get dressed and leave, put it on and rub in those spots. Do this about 3-4 times a day. You'll find the bruises will go away within a couple of days. But to further help healing and help prevent some of it, get some arnica tablets, vit c (to help repair the cell damage) and bromine (comes from pineapple), those will help prevent the bruises. As for being wired after class. When you come home, go straight into an epsom salt bath (about 2 cups) and soak for 20 minutes. The magnesium is not only a muscle relaxant, but it calms the nerves. It will relax your entire body! Plus it's sooooooo good for you!
BassAddict · 4/11/2013
Thanks ladies, I'm going to take your advice and take it easier on myself and use those products to help with the process :)