"Breaking In" my pole

SissyBuns started this discussion · 5/21/2009

I've read about how the poles need to be broken in and after receiving mine yesterday now I see what everyone meant. I can't even hold myself up on it for a few seconds without sliding down. How do I "break" it in? I've read that it will get better after more practice but is there anything else I can do to help it along? Clean it with anything? We used alcohol at the studio I go to so i just got some of that. I'd also like to apologize ahead of time for the 100's of questions I'll be asking now that I have my pole and can practice more but you all are the only pole folks I know besides my instructor and I dont see them too much lately LOL. Thanx!!!! ☀️

18 replies

amcut · 5/21/2009
Alena Downs says to use acetone (nail polish remover). ...All the kinds I see in the store have waaaaay too much other stuff in them to use. So much residue! My pole still isn't as broken in as some stainless steel that I've used- but it's better than fresh out of the box. I use wax when it's too slippery (rubbing a candle), but it doesn't work for some people, and others worry about their pole joints, or getting too used to it. Cleaning the pole with windex is another- but I heard you weren't supposed to do it often because it has some agents that may eat at finishes. And that environment-safe windex seems to not be as grippy as the hardcore windex. Uhhh. NEVER use a scotch brite pad on your pole. Mine has a bunch of microscratches from when my silicone lubricant (for the pole threading, thanks, pervert!) dripped down and dried on it. The little brillo pad murdered my grip in that area.
Veena · 5/21/2009
Breaking in a pole is really only for Stainless steel. If you have an X you don't need to do anything to it other than clean it! 🌸
Veena · 5/21/2009
One more thing keep ANYTHING that is abrasive AWAY from your X pole....Chrome, and the TG are different than Stainless!!!!! The acetone nail polish remover, would work good to clean all the gunk off the pole that comes from packing and shipping, threads and all, otherwise, rubbing alcohol, windex, vodka and a soft cloth is great for pole practice sessions.
Rouge_LAmour · 5/21/2009
and Meths!! Purple Methylated spirits, denatured alcohol. water also works really well, just dry it off.
SissyBuns · 5/22/2009
Breaking in a pole is really only for Stainless steel. If you have an X you don't need to do anything to it other than clean it! 🌸 So it's not the pole? I just suck? Damn it 🤔 I've only used Brass poles in the past, is there a difference? My forearms are so sore right now just from basic spins and inverts and i swear I can't get a good grip on that thing to save my life.
Veena · 5/22/2009
So it's not the pole? I just suck? Damn it 🤔 I've only used Brass poles in the past, is there a difference? My forearms are so sore right now just from basic spins and inverts and i swear I can't get a good grip on that thing to save my life.LOL you don't suck. Yes chrome is different then brass. Brass it the most grippy, titanium is next, then chrome, stainless steel is last (but can become grippy after heavy use). The chrome is a good finish because it wont spoil you like brass, but doesn't need to be broken in like stainless. Remember things like your skin, finish, weather and size of pole all affect the grip. The warmer you can get the pole the and your body the better you'll stick. 🌸
SissyBuns · 5/22/2009
Dang it. Well that explains why I can do stuff at the studio that I can't do as well at home. I was spoiled!!! I guess this also means that when I go to class now after practicing on my chrome pole I'll be the bomb! Sweet 🥂
Foxy_Rei · 5/23/2009
Way to be optimistic! 👍
SissyBuns · 5/23/2009
LOL, I try 😉
Sarah22 · 6/27/2009
what finish is the x pole (silver one)?? i have an x and have a problem with it being to slippery. i used some products i found when i googled this and my finish flaked off(tiny piece) at the top and bottom so i stopped. What should i use if i have an X pole. Should i just buy the gold one? and sell this one. I didnt get a 45 mm either i got the 50 and i have small hands but i wanted an original pole because thats what im used to. Do you think i should just get the 45 mm gold one UGG someone help
Foxy_Rei · 6/28/2009
what finish is the x pole (silver one)?? i have an x and have a problem with it being to slippery. i used some products i found when i googled this and my finish flaked off(tiny piece) at the top and bottom so i stopped. What should i use if i have an X pole. Should i just buy the gold one? and sell this one. I didnt get a 45 mm either i got the 50 and i have small hands but i wanted an original pole because thats what im used to. Do you think i should just get the 45 mm gold one UGG someone help The silver X-Pole is chrome (usually - there is a titanium silver version but it's not very common). Chrome is one of the more slippery finishes, but it's also the standard as it's what most clubs and such use (same with 50mm). If you can grip a 50mm chrome pole, you can grip just about anything. The gold finish is titanium, and is more grippy than the chrome. The 45mm is also easier to hold on to than the 50mm (no matter what your hand size). If you're planning on basically just using your own pole and not taking studio classes or what not, then it really doesn't matter what you get - its your preference. If you plan on using other poles at places where you run the risk of them having more "difficult" and standard poles, then you may want to stick with the standard. But once again, that's all up to you. What kinds of products are you looking for??? Something to enhance grip, or something to clean the pole with? 🤔 What did you put on it that made the chrome chip off?
SissyBuns · 6/28/2009
I like the fact that I have a 50mm titanium pole because I feel that's it's better to train with the most difficult pole, that way when/if I come across a different pole in class or say a competition I'll be using something easier to work with as opposed to something harder...did that make sense?
tashpooh · 11/6/2014
I know this thread is old so I have the same issue with my pole. Should I use acetone? My pole is freaking slippery but the studio i go to use Platinum Stage poles and i have ZERO issues there!!!! HELP!!!!
Lucca Valentine · 11/6/2014
It will likely just take some time...x poles (and probably others) have a coating in it when they come from the factory. Acetone will help, as may washing it with dish soap (just the pole parts, not the x joints. If you get water in there it may rust). The poles at studios get heavily used so they are already worn in. I did dish soap for the wash when I got it out of the box and then I clean it with acetone and it didn't take too long after that to get not-slippy
Lucca Valentine · 11/6/2014
Coating on it*
marithim · 11/6/2014
Also, what is the temperature in your house versus the studio? My house is constantly cooler (my SO and I are nightshift workers hailing from a colder climate and now live in a desert. We need it cool to sleep in the day), and that really affects the grip on my chrome pole. I've started using a hair dryer to make it warmer. My studios poles are always warm by the time I get there so it's easier to hold even when I haven't yet warmed up.
Rachel Osborne · 11/8/2014
Tashpooh is your pole a new xpole chrome? I got my new chrome xpole this summer and got the factory finish off by Cleaning with boiling hot water and dawn dish soap (avoiding the x joint holes) then rubbing dry with handfuls of kitchen paper towels. A hard rub down with a clean cloth soaked in white wine vinegar (the pole room then smelled of vinegar!) Letting the vinegar dry on pole (open windows) then Using a new microfibre cloth (that was never washed with fabric conditioner or machine dried as fabric conditioners make poles slippy) and isopropyl alcohol 70% in a plant mister to soak the cloth and rubbing HARD. I still do this every practice, several times. Pole now squeaky clean. I still don't stick unless I warm up myself and the pole: Veena has several warm ups or I just prance about a bit in both directions, climb a bit, slide a bit, rub my hands and body on pole, do some pole pull ups and tucks. Cold pole = dancer hits floor. Or a cheating way to stick like glue is to pole after a long hot shower or bath. Enjoy your pole!
Stephanie X Pole · 11/19/2014
Hi All! Once an for all- please understand that there is NO factory finish on the X-Poles!! If you put any type of Acetone, windex, or anything abrasive on your pole you will damage the finish, and probably get a skin rash from the harsh chemicals. Please do not try to "remove" the finish. There is just no way to do this other than damaging your pole. The pole is just a pole! Chrome is chromium plated steel, Stainless is stainless, brass is brass, etc. There is no additional coating on top of this finish. You can use rubbing alcohol for daily use. It is really less about the pole and more about adapting to your pole. Your body chemistry is what affects your grip on the pole and your preference for certain pole finishes. If you can also check and adjust the climate or temperature of the room this helps as well. In the winter, when it is cold, if your hand is warm this can create a layer of condensation on the pole because of the heat to cold metal- so warm up your pole as well. Use a grip aid if needed. And condition your skin at night- if you have dry skin or oily/sweaty skin this will affect your grip! If you have any questions about X-Pole's finish, please email [email protected]. Thanks!