Question about any kind of thigh holds

poleclimber started this discussion · 3/2/2012

So I've been working on a lot of thigh hold poses lately - cross knee release, cross ankle release, advanced plank (take top hand off and lay back), cross ankle release and superman. This may be a silly question, but the pain of my inner thighs when I grip is a lot! I thought by now I would be getting used to the burn, but I am not. I can do an inversted crucifix no problem. Is this just something that will come with time? It does seem a bit better when I try to use my core and focus on squeezing my muscles and less on using the sking to grip (does that make sense??). I keep at it every practice hoping that it we be more bearable. Any tips on this are appreciated.

20 replies

LittleC · 3/2/2012
Oh yes - the thigh pain. It will definitely get better with time - just keep trying! And in the meantime, arnica for the bruising (I've even iced before) and lots of patience. It took a while for me. :)
nilla · 3/2/2012
Yes it will hurt, and yes it will get better :D I remember it being really painful to do any variation of a pole sit (layback, plank ect) and now it doesn't feel any different than holding myself up with my hands. I just started practicing the superman though and dang that hurts! For me the superman point of contact is more on my front inner thighs, whereas the point of contact for sits and laybacks and planks are more on my back inner thigh. So I guess I have to endure pain while I get used to supporting myself with skin two inches away from the spot that's already toughened up, yay :P I've basically just been getting myself into superman position from a handstand and sliding to the floor to help make it more painful, I mean, to spead up the toughening process ;P
tiggertail · 3/2/2012
Seem to me that you have some of the answer in your question. A good position will reduce the pain, because you rely on muscle to hold you and not just the skin sticking to the pole...but it hurt at first lol. Good luck😉
horsecrazy12987 · 3/2/2012
When I first learned the superman, the pain was incredible--I held the position for about five seconds, then hopped down, cursing all the way. LMAO It will get better, trust me, it just takes some time. You might want to try doing just a basic pole sit for a little while each day, even if you don't do anything else; that can help you get used to the burn more quickly.
amy · 3/2/2012
sorry to say this, but it's been nearly 5 years for me, and the superman pain NEVER got better. just saying-- it's possible, and there's nothing wrong with you if that's the case. our bodies have different pain thresholds and sensitivitiies! there are other tricks that don't hurt me at all :)
horsecrazy12987 · 3/2/2012
All of my thigh holds have gotten a lot less painful, some to the point where they don't even bother me anymore, but that superman is a killer, although I haven't been practicing it lately, which is part of the problem. So far it's been the most painful move for me to learn, although everyone is different.
poleclimber · 3/2/2012
I bruise so easily, so that doesn't help. I will keep at it. I remember when I started the inverted crucifix I thought that was painful, but it got better quickly. This is slower going. I think childbirth was easier than some of these grips :)
amy · 3/2/2012
it's nice to have a frame of reference, bc if childbirth feels like holding a superman, i am NOT READY for that.
DeniseL · 3/2/2012
This may sound silly and definately looks silly but before you are ready to go into a painful thigh hold, slap your inner thights just like an gorilla would pound his chest! My instructor suggested that, it hurts for the first few slaps than just numbs the area, makes it much nicer in the pole but you will for sure have some red thighs!!
poleclimber · 3/2/2012
One word - epidural :). All this talk of pain, I have to remind myself we do this because it is sexy - LOL
nilla · 3/2/2012
Aaah! That's not encouraging, amy! but good to know nonetheless. I might as well phsych myself out for pain. And then if the pain just reduces somewhat with practice or even goes away that would be a bonus. I think striking a beautiful superman hold in a performance someday will be worth it. Here's to hoping 😲 And thank heaven my pole sits are no longer painful!
amy · 3/2/2012
hahah just being honest... i know the standard line is "it gets better, just keep doing it" and "its good for you, just build up to the pain" but well-- there's hundreds of pole moves out there for a reason :) you should hear me curse and scream when i have to TEACH the superman.... oh sigh. i hate those days.
smokinangel · 3/2/2012
Burt's bees rescue ointment. Best stuff ever for the burn! Never tried slapping before. Tried it after once...boy was that a mistake...
PlatinumAni · 3/3/2012
For me superman got better, much better. Just goes to show everyone is different!
PowerTwirl · 3/4/2012
Well cross ankle release is particularly painful because you only have one point of contact. At least in superman your arm is taking some of the weight. I NEVER do cross ankle releases. I can do handstands like a pro but I refuse doing CAR or CKR..... I've tried a couple times but felt like I was moments from falling each time. There are just some tricks that are not for me. Felix, that's her thing, but I just won't do them. Like she said above, there are millions of tricks so don't feel like you HAVE to learn something. JUST SKIP IT!!
horsecrazy12987 · 3/4/2012
I love the CKR, but to be completely honest, I hate the CAR. It honestly scares me. I fell so many times when I was first learning that it's like it flipped on this 'you're going to fall why bother' switch in my brain. I always piled a bunch of couch cushions underneath me while attempting it since I don't have a spotter, so I never hurt myself, but I could just never get the hang of it for whatever reason. I can do several moves that are considered more advanced than the CAR without a problem, but that one still eludes me. I've shelved it for now and will one day go back to it when I feel ready to tackle it again. It just depends from person to person.
Veena · 3/4/2012
Almost anything you do from a CAR release you can do from a CKR.... so for those who don't feel comfortable with the CAR, don't worry that you'll be missing out on anything by not using that move. 😉
horsecrazy12987 · 3/4/2012
That's pretty much what I figure, and I really like the look of the CKR anyway. The CAR just makes me really nervous--I feel so much more secure with my knee there.
msusagi · 11/4/2014
DeniseL Funny as it seems, I honestly believe what you suggest actually makes sense.
I polekat I · 11/4/2014
i love CAR and CKR they are two of my very favourite moves =) but when i first learnt them i was consistently black and blue (and red!!) for ages!! But i barely notice at all now, and i would say i do at least 1 every pole session. I think that is key - to keep practising; as you can get to a point where it doesnt hurt but then if you dont do that move for a while your skin will forget and it will hurt all over again ... =P I also find that even though i am comfortable with CAR and CKR when i work on other new thigh moves like peter pan, sad girl drop, superman, inverted thigh holds, it hurts as though i have never done ANY thigh holds before!!! each move uses a very slightly different bit of skin and i can really feel this....!!! So my advice is just to grit your teeth and keep practising!! And yes someone once told me if it hurts, then you should squeeze harder ... =P