Slippery pole

Nicolb started this discussion · 4/17/2012

Hi guys, long time reader, first time poster! I was wondering if anyone has tips on how to make your pole less slippery. I have an X-pole (standard in chrome) but it's really, really slippery. In class I never use grip, but have resorted to grip at home, but that still doesn't make much of a difference. It's really putting me off practicing at home, which as you can guess, is not the point of having a pole at home. Any tips or suggestions would be great :)

28 replies

mspretty1414 · 4/17/2012
I use itac on my hands, and it tends to transfer to the pole and make it somewhat sticky as well, I also sometimes rub a tiny bit on the insides of my thighs...don't wear any lotion either, a little cornhuskers will give a little bit of 'stickiness'. Are you sweating? Some ppl use tite grip if sweat is the problem...
Lana Lee · 4/17/2012
I read somewhere on this forum that the xpole comes with some sort of wax sprayed onto the pole to protect it during shipping. Try taking that off and maybe it'll be less slippery? People say to use warm water and dish soap and wash it like 3 times. I just used wax solvent to get rid of the wax coating. Also, maybe try warming up your pole? A cold pole is a slippery pole!
Dancing Paws · 4/18/2012
All poles have a break in period. The studios poles are very broken in, but your will take some time to break in. You do need to wipe off the factory coating as well. Your body and pole both have to be warm. If all that fails, get some corn huskers lotion and lather it on your points of contact. If your hands are weating, go grab some drysol from the pharmacy and put it on your hands daily for about 1-2 weeks. It SHOULD start making your hands sweat less and less. If it does, use it every other day, then every 2 days, etc.
Aviva · 4/18/2012
I have the exact same pole, I've had it for two years and I hate it so much I'm getting another pole. I used to joke about being grateful for something I hate (the pole) but I'm not even grateful anymore because it's downright dangerous. I have absolutely had enough, I've tried grip aids, gloves, boots, upping the temp, lowering the temp nothing works. I can't understand how so many people love that pole. I realize that skin types are different and that is the only thing I can come up with to explain why people prefer that pole. To me it's downright frustrating and very uninspiring. I love it's portability but feel it is very dangerous to work on. One girl on here got hers powder coated so maybe you can try that. Having said all that, I refuse to get mine powder coated and won't sell it either b/c though I feel it is unworkable now, that does have a lot to do with the fact that I am trying to get so many new things and working on getting better, if/when it is time to train for a performance...yes I will bust out with the chrome devil again b/c I think it's the best preparation for performance esp. when you cannot control the environment or how the pole will feel for the performance. Let us know what you do and how it works out for you.
Dancing Paws · 4/18/2012
Aviva - Do you have dry skin? If so, that may be part of the problem.
Aviva · 4/18/2012
I must use lotion after I get out of the shower or my skin will be very itchy and get kinda flaky so I guess it is dry. I usually have no problem sticking to brass though....
mspretty1414 · 4/18/2012
The lotion is your prob, I have psoriasis so I feel ya on the itchy dry skin but it's a no go with a chrome pole. Skip the lotion and try cornhuskers instead, that works for me.
Dancing Paws · 4/18/2012
When my skin was like that I couldn't grip my brass pole without a grip aid, and it was million times worse on a stainless. I suspect you aren't as bad as I was, but pretty similar situations. Try putting on some "vaseline total moisture conditioning" lotion on a few hours before poling and see if that helps. The lotion isn't greasy, and can make you feel a bit tacky. It might help your skin grab that chrome. Have you ever tried corn huskers lotion for a grip aid? Don't be afraid to use a grip aid. The pros use grip aides.
Dancing Paws · 4/18/2012
Lotioning isn't bad for poling if you use the right kind. You need to use a glycerine based lotion, not oil based. It makes all the difference. Moisturized skin grips better.
Veena · 4/18/2012
Nicolb...a clothes steamer will clean the pole very well and remove any residue from manufacturing. One thing that a lot of dancers forget is to warm up properly before they pole at home. This is one reason why they feel the home pole isn't as grippy as in studio. Never apply lotion right before poling!!! 🌸
Nicolb · 4/18/2012
Thank you all so very much. I will give a clothes steamer a go. Also, what are corn huskers?
Nicolb · 4/18/2012
Thank you all so very much. I will give a clothes steamer a go. Also, what are corn huskers?
Aviva · 4/18/2012
A lot of times I will pole before I showere for the day, which means there is still lotion on from the day before. Lately I've tried showering right before I pole without putting lotion on but still, no good. I wonder if temperature is a factor, I mean outside temp. Moved from Maryland to Florida and I do not recall the pole being this bad when it was winter and cold outside. It seemed to be worse in the summer when I got it two years ago....
mspretty1414 · 4/18/2012
Nicolb-Corn huskers is a 'lotion' in a really old fashioned bottle lol, it moisturizes and makes your skin dewey so that you stick to the pole better, it's not greasy like regular lotion. Walgreens has it, probably Wal-Mart as well. Aviva- it could be the weather, it's humid down here...and haaawt too :)
Nicolb · 4/19/2012
Thanks mspretty. My Dad is over in the States at the moment - might see if he can get me some. I've never heard of it in Australia
mspretty1414 · 4/19/2012
Sorry I didn't realize you were in Australia! Google 'cornhuskers lotion' and you can order it online :)
SoloEbo · 4/19/2012
Nicolb, I used to feel the same way about my pole. I could not do anything without mighty grip (and that barely worked)... i did the soap and water trick and that worked a little, but I read what veena said about the steam. I did not have the $$$ to go otu and buy a streamer, so I used a regualr old iron (lol.. so ghetto).. but it did the trick. haven't had to use any sort of grip aid at all.
Nicolb · 4/19/2012
Love it Blaque! Will give the ol' iron a go!! Hee hee
Veena · 4/19/2012
An iron set to steam!! I didn't even think if that! Great idea :)
Debss · 4/19/2012
That's a brilliant idea Blaque, might give it a go this weekend!
StarrGrrrl · 4/19/2012
How awesome! I never thought of the steamer idea! I have a PS stainless pole in my living room, and it is still pretty slippery. I think I'll give that a try!
ORGANIC ANGEL · 4/19/2012
I recently saw people using pure foam shave cream (mens). The girls swear by it. They put some on their legs and hands.
MissMegi77 · 4/20/2012
My pole was the same, I didn't wanted to practise at all, but somebody told me to use vinegar to clean it and it helped a lot.
Kyrsten · 4/20/2012
I can't add anything that hasn't been recommended already... Corn huskers works wonders for me though. I will say that I hate the chrome x-pole and need a lot of grip aid to work with it. I am totally fine on stainless poles and powder poles but chrome and I are not friends unless I ap
Kyrsten · 4/20/2012
Got cut off... Anyway, I need iTac on my skin to grip on chrome most of the time. Im fine on other finishes. Stainless is my favourite and it's generally agreed to be the slickest, so it can also just depend on your personal chemistry.

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