problems with caterpillar?

EmViVi started this discussion · 3/2/2011

Hi, so I got a lovely TG xpole for cristmas and have been pretty happy with the progress I'm making on it. I've got my inverts down and am working on different leg/hand holds when upside down etc. So anyhow I started working on doing the caterpillar and I think I must have my feet in the wrong position or something (I'll take a picture if I need to but maybe I can just describe the problem). Basically I can lift my upper body up the pole with my arms without too much problems but then my feet either slide or when i try to move them up i start loosing my grip and end up crunching the tops of my feet pretty badly against the pole. ouch. Am i supposed to be gripping the pole with my feet/ankles/shins? I couldn't find a good picture example online. thanks!

11 replies

chemgoddess1 · 3/2/2011
Can you do an inverted crucifix (bat hang) without hands? If you cannot hang without using your hands I would scrap trying caterpillar until you can.
chemgoddess1 · 3/2/2011
I will also add that this move is all about your hamstrings pulling you up, not your arms pushing you into position.
EmViVi · 3/2/2011
Hey, thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, i can do the inverted crucifix fine (though have yet to find a way of coming out of it with any degree of grace). So I need to be pulling up with my legs instead of the arms? Kind of explains why i found this so exhausting. Is the leg position the same as with the crucifix? It looks like it is with the vids on youtube but when I try it myself I just get kind of confused (and can't look at the laptop screen successfully when I'm upside anyhow ).
chemgoddess1 · 3/2/2011
I do not change my leg positioning at all. I am going to try to break it down as Pantera taught it to us during a workshop. First, she had us get into a handstand from the ground. You can just invert but you want yourself close to the floor. When you are hanging, place both hands on the pole right in between your breasts. Push your arms straight out so that you are doing an inverted plank on the pole. Now as you are pushed completely out engage your hams to lift your butt...DO NOT change you hand positioning. Don't be upset if you fail at this first time around or think it is impossible. This is how many polers are able to do a one handed caterpillar climb. At the same time it really rounds out the backs of your legs giving them great shape.
polergirl · 3/2/2011
Like chemgoddess said, caterpillar is all in the legs. I only use my arms when I do a caterpillar climb...otherwise my hands hold me away from the pole but my legs pull my body up.
Shellectra · 3/3/2011
Yep I recently just got comfortable with the caterpillar and it is all about gripping and pulling with those legs! Think of the arms as guides, that just push you away from the pole as your legs pull you up... I do it in one smooth motion, I push out with the arms and at the same time pull up with my legs. I had trouble with the Caterpillar for a while and felt I would crumble down on myself but then I focused on my legs and now i'm fine with it
heathalynne · 3/3/2011
With caterpillar, the points of contact should be between a little above your knees and the soft side parts of your calves. Not so much your feet & ankles. Try moving your knees a little past the pole so you're using your muscles, no bones. Slide your no-handed inverted crucifix down to the floor and handstand from there. Then do what chemgoddess said. That way, your legs are already in position when you're practicing.
Veena · 3/3/2011
Here are the lessons for the Caterpillar and Caterpillar climb.🙊 https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4cc97c20-7e0c-47ee-8303-49360ac37250 https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d0a2105-7468-4079-96ee-6aba0ac37250
Krista Bocko · 5/18/2011
this move has always stumped me. arghhhh! i'm hopeful it will just click someday.
amy · 5/18/2011
if you can't stay on the pole with the only points of contact being the leg grip between your knees, along your calves, and ankles, then work on that. start in a regular stand, lean back, lower your butt down to your knees (just as you would upside down) and stand back up. if you start sliding down, work on your grip RIGHT SIDE UP!
Black Orchid · 11/13/2011
OK so this is my new bete noir pole move! Chemgoddess or anyone...is there video of this tutorial that Pantera showed y'all? Cos I'm thinking that psychologically that's how I might need to approach this move. I'll keep working on my strength in holding the butterfly pose too...but I think I am def. relying right now too much on my arms ( or overthinking the bracing or something)...I need to get my butt up there and release my thigh-hold...