Poling over 40?

Ttmontes started this discussion · 1/5/2018

Hello I'm new on here was wondering if anyone's over 40? I've been to a few classes locally and they're supposed to be beginner but each teacher teaches a different lesson so it's hard to learn anything and they seem pretty advanced at times. I'm also the only one my age there everyone else it seems in in their 20s. The teacher last week commented that we had been to 3 classes and should know how to climb a pole. I felt really discouraged and haven't been back. I Bought a pole and now have one at home and am starting the 30 day beginner lessons and I'm going to try to do 30 days to flexy also. I have zero dance background 2 left feet and have zero flexibility and a hard time remembering dance routines. I have been serious about Kettlebells and strength training for years now and am in decent shape. Is there any hope for me at my age to get somewhat good at this I absolutely love the beauty of pole fitness and want to know I'm not the only one in this boat! Thank you

26 replies

polegramma · 1/5/2018
Veena's lessons are the best way to get good basic skills on and off the pole. You will have a great foundation with the 30 day take off. And then just keep practicing, after a while maybe you could go for a private session every now and then with an instructor you "click" with. I'm 65 and Veena's lessons have helped me come back from injury, and keep poling happily when I'm in an area where the lessons I need are hard to find.
Rachel Osborne · 1/6/2018
I'm 47 in two weeks 😁🙃 You might find this thread interesting https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/534f2546-1450-43f1-808f-22d60a9aa0eb Enjoy your pole adventures! ❤️
Veena · 1/6/2018
Hi and welcome! There are TONS of polers over 40! I didn't start pole dancing until a month before I turned 30, I'm now 40 and it's still the best exercise I know of. I have never been a dancer or gymnast. My background is in personal training, which is why I'm focused on strength building first and technique to prevent injuy. If you start with a good foundation (like the method I developed) you can start learning pole dance anytime, it doesn't matter what your age or fitness background is. Keep in mind that all lessons are place in order so no matter what category you look at always watch the first lesson and it will answer many common questions and get you started off right. As mentioned, the 30 day take off was created for those with no background in fitness or dance so starting there is a great option.
Former member · 1/6/2018
I started when I was almost 35. I'm 38 now. There are also many professional competitors and instructors that didn't touch a pole til after they were 40 or 50. There's even a Japanese woman that was on one of those “gots talent” shows that was over 70 years old and had only been doing it for 1-2 years! She did amazing!
grayeyes · 1/6/2018
I'm 48 and started in my mid 40s. You'd be surprised what us "seasoned" gals can still do--though I do wish I had started younger as I do have some unwelcome limitations, flexibility being one of them. The other I would say is I'm more prone to injury (never got hurt when I was younger) and it now takes FOREVER (it seems) to heal so do be careful and smart but enjoy..and welcome.
Sandra Pole 1 · 1/6/2018
Welcome on SV ....I'm 53 in few weeks and I dont have any background ;) no age for poling ... lets Go ;))))
StrangeFox · 1/6/2018
Welcome! I'm not over 40 but I hope it's still OK if I comment on this. There are a lot of 20 year old girls at the studio I go to but there are also girls in their 40s and 50s that are incredible. Age doesn't make much of a difference. The body awareness and attention to muscle engagement that comes with weight lifting will be immensely helpful. Veena's lessons are excellent and the community is so supportive so you're in a great place. It doesn't sound like the studio you went to is very good. 3 classes is FAR too few to have climbing figured out, in my opinion. There will be some girls that can climb on their first class, but the vast majority of us weren't climbing until at least 8-12 classes in and even then it was so clumsy - we had to go over it a lot. Also, check Greta Pontarelli out! She started poling in her late 50s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enfPSJlZxzQ She's amazing!
goshling · 1/6/2018
I'm 46 - March will be my 2nd pole-versary. I also have multiple sclerosis (so my memory & coordination are both shit) and when I started I hadn't done any structured exercise for a LONG time. In fact, one of the reasons I thought pole would be good was that holding onto the pole would stop me from falling over, so since you have a good grounding in strength training you're already starting way ahead of where I was!
LatinPoler · 1/6/2018
I'm 44, started when I was 42. I had dance and fitness background but not gymnastics, I was quite fit when I started poling but all that strenght did not seem to help much with pole in the beginning, since I was not used to “engage” muscles, just to use powerhorse. Streght did help in the end, for example, I was able to chopper very quickly. I agree that you can be more prone to injury and it can take you longer to recover, so take it easy. Regarding flexibility, I have certainly improved putting in the effort. I am not very flexible naturally, I think I'm average. So yes, you can pole being in your 40s. Another advantage of being “older” is that you know your body better, what works or doesn't work for it, etc. so use that to your advantage. For example, I don't have any interest in learning handsprings, sice my lower body is heavier than my upper and I don't think my upper can tolerate that, and I don't want to risk injury. The downside of brick and mortar studio classes is that you have to do what your teacher tells you to do, regardless you like it or think fits you. Good luck - you can do it!!
hookedonpole · 1/6/2018
I am 62 and have been poling for approx 12 years. I started at almost 50 with no dance background, NOOOO flexibility. I had been working out with weights, strength training, etc., but it was nothing compared to pole. For as long as I have been poling, there are still A LOT of things I have not achieved, and I'm okay with that. I don't feel I have to do what everyone else is doing if it's not good for my body, too strenuous, or if it scares me! :) I admire those like Greta Pontarelli and others I know who are just as awesome in their later years, but I feel people like me and many on this site are the norm (that's just an opinion). We have different abilities, reasons for poling, different styles. As we always say, don't compare to others and your pole journey is your own. Veena's lessons are the best so you will get a great foundation, and help from members here. WELCOME!!!
Tartine · 1/6/2018
I'm 44. I started poling when I was 41. Welcome! :)
Ttmontes · 1/6/2018
Thanks so much to everyone who's replied and for the videos and threads I will go read that and watch! It's nice to know I'm not alone and there's all kinds of different backgrounds. To any women who lift weights (or did) how do you fit that in with pole? Thanks douche for the awesome support!
Former member · 1/6/2018
I do weight lifting and pole. But I'm not sure what you're asking regarding how we fit the two together. Can you clarify?
chriswarner · 1/7/2018
Welcome! I only started poling just before my 60th birthday with the flexibility of a tree trunk and am now a 65year old pensioner. It has been by far the best thing that I ever done as now I feel fitter than at any time in my life. I have only ever encountered support and encouragement from both teachers and students in the classes.
Neesy118 · 1/7/2018
I will be 45 in 2 weeks, been poling since 2013 and proudly, still a beginner! My progress is slow cause inverting scares me! Some moves I just won't attempt because I know what my body can and cannot do. Veena's lessons are the best, do them, over & over! I love IG challenges & there are tons of moves I can't do, but, there's a variation or prep move for EVERYTHING. I also go to a studio and I promise I'm the oldest in every class and although it is intimidating,I take it as a personal challenge to put myself out of my comfort zone,luckily the instructors and students are wonderful. I never excell as fast as my 20yr old classmates, but it's ok. And I hope that maybe I inspire them a little to feel they will still be active at my age. Good luck with your pole journey
Sparky 3 · 1/8/2018
Don't ever let your age hold you back from what you truly want to do!!!! I am definitely way over 40 and I am always reluctant to tell anyone my actual age because there is way too much age discrimination in our society!! People think I am at least 20-25 years younger than my age cause I tackle life with the enthusiasm of a child! I started pole dancing in September 2014 with no dance back ground and some of the younger women would criticize me behind my back. They would often say I was the worse student in the class and some even said I don't want to be in her group when the instructor split the students into two groups. I ignored them and kept going for a year. Then i quit the pole dance studio and had a pole installed in my home and started online lessons with Studio Veena. The best thing i ever did !!!! I truly blossomed then!!! I don't practice as much I as I need to, but I am enjoying my pole journey in my own way, at learning the moves at my own speed. Some of the other online polers may scoff at my snail progress but I just keep going. Just focus on having fun and enjoying Your Pole journey... ☺️progress takes time and it will come! Don't get frustrated with yourself! Celebrate your progress no matter how small!!! Happy poling and wishing you many hours of fun on your pole!!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Misti Hurrikane · 1/8/2018
I have zero dance background (really, zero background of movement of any kind other than moving forward in a straight line--I am a former cyclist, oarswoman and current runner/weight lifter), hardly any flexibility at all, and I started pole dance when I was ***50***. Way older than you! Haha. I still consider myself a rank beginner, and I look like a beginner, but I have definitely made progress. I have declared 2018 my Year of Mobility, so we shall see what happens to this "old" body when I give it some real attention to flexibility and mobility. I haven't done a whole Veena program yet (just an issue of time; I love love love the lessons), but I am thinking I will do the Flow program soon. I am lucky b/c the studio at which I take classes is run by a woman about my age. Everyone in the classes themselves is younger than me, but I feel very supported and encouraged. I am really, really slow to learn though. I don't think this is so much about my age as about my complete lack of experience moving my body in these ways. That is why I love the Veena lessons. I can practice over and over and over again, and when I do that, and go at my own pace, I get better.
dustbunny · 1/8/2018
I am also not 40. I'll be 35 this year but i wanted to say a couple things. First, my mom went through my level 1 program at 55 or so and did awesome. I made a routine for her to "Lady in Red" by Chris Deburgh, she got dressed up in a little red baby doll and we filmed it for my dad. He was so impressed, I'm pretty sure he got laid that night. Lol 😂 Secondly, I'm going to agree that 3 classes is nowhere near long enough to learn to climb. I couldn't do a single pull up or even a pole sit at that point so please don't be discouraged. Everyone's journey is different some might be able to climb after a month and some might take a year. There is NOTHING wrong with that. Veena's lessons are the best you can get as a total beginner. Do the 30 Day take off and you will see vast improvements in the month! Hope to hear more as you progress because I know you will be great.
flyingover50makeda · 1/8/2018
blessings - please dont be discouraged - i just turned 57 this weekend and started poling at 50. i can say that in the last 7 years since i've been poling a lot has changed. when i started - the beginner classes were actually beginner classes. we didn't learn to climb or invert until 6 months or so later - there was no rush and attention was paid to setting up a good foundation. i sent a 57 year old friend of my to a beginner class last year - and she told me she was never going back - it was her first class and the instructor ( a 30 year old ) had them climbing a pole - she was so discouraged ! and yes - i was often the oldest in class as well - and that alone can be intimidating - combined with learning something knew ( fyi - it took me weeks on end to learn the fireman spin - literally weeks of classes - while the 20 years old were moving on to next - lolol ) Veena's online course are a beautiful resource for you and this is a great community. per studios - you can research ( yelp is helpful ) to find a location that teaches real beginner or starter classes or secure private lessons. I started teaching my FlyingOver50 dance classes in my community for women over 40 for just this reason - we have our own special nuances and needs. In my classes i teach exotic movement - as a gateway to pole and aerial - as a lot of older women - especially over 50 - need to relearn sexy movement in a safe environment and not feel intimidated by younger women in the room - lol! all the best to you and stay encouraged - you are not alone !
Veena · 1/9/2018
Ttmontes. If you're asking about if you can lift weight and pole yes! I use to lift and pole, now I just pole or do body weight work cuz it's fun. I suggest doing any strength based work on the same day when first starting pole. This will give you enough rest days. However, if you've been seriously lifting for a while, feel free to continue with your normal weight training and add pole in 3 times a week. The most important thing is to listen to your body and if you're not recovering it's time to back off.
Cherished · 1/11/2018
Sasja Lee started pole at 38 and is now in her 40's and amazing! Also to be able to climb in 3 lessons doesn't sound right to me. It took me months to be able to climb the pole. I love the lessons here if you do them consistently you will definitely progress.
Akaye1126616 · 2/14/2018
I am so glad to see this thread. I just found this page and joined. I danced when I wa younger, and regularly ride horses for exercise now. Seeing all you ladies makes me think I can do this!!!!!
Akaye1126616 · 2/14/2018
Oh, and I'm 42!!
Veena · 2/14/2018
Welcome to the site Akaye!
tielz18896 · 2/15/2018
I am 51 and have been poling for about 3 months. I started poling at home with Jamilla's dvd's and my Xpole back in '10. I only did it for about 3 months back then, moved, and had nowhere to set up my pole so I quit. Now I moved again and pulled it back out to start all over.

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