Slippery X-Pole!!!

DancePantsPrincess started this discussion · 5/18/2013

Hey guys! I am having a slippery pole issue. Lol. The studio I go to has stainless steel x-poles and I have no problem holding on, somewhat climbing, and can do a pole sit. Then I get home to my chrome x-pole and can't do any of that! I can't even attempt a sit because I just keep sliding down when trying to grip with my hands. It is extremely discouraging. Instructor told me its just because I need experience and strength, but then why can I do it there on first try? I have tried cleaning it with both windex and rubbing alcohol. I stopped using had lotion a few days ago and it seems like it has gotten worse. What is the best dry hand stuff to get? Any tips? I can't even get on it right after cleaning it. HELP!

53 replies

flygrlsim · 5/18/2013
no worries, i had the same problem. can definitely be frustrating! ive tried a variety of different solutions, but i think the first question is why is it slippery? is the pole and/or your body cold? that can cause it to be slippery. if you warm up your body and as a result, the pole, that will help. second, do your hands tend to be dry or sweaty? there are SO many wonderful grip aides out there. "dry hands" is probably the most common (if you tend to run sweaty). if your hands are dry like mine, try "heel to toe peppermint foot sloughing lotion" (can find at sally beuaty supply, or amazon). i know, seems weird, but it has some sort of solution in it thats very "tacky" and I LOVE IT! i use it on my hands and all over my body. i use it at home as well as at the studio. Also, i find that rubbing alcohol exacerbates my dry skin. several people have suggested using white distilled vinegar which i dab onto a towel and rub on to my home pole w(not the studio pole because its stinky!). that helps too. again, it gives a certain amount of "tackiness" to the pole. see if any of this helps!!! i hop it does! it can be frustrating, but it just takes some patience and lots of trial and error to determine what works best for your body. : )
SmilingFox · 5/19/2013
I have had the same problem. It has taken a while, 1-2 months, to get used to my chrome xpole. I have to get that baby warmed up well before I can start really sticking to it. It is really frustrating, but I have taken a different view on it lately. I keep thinking that if I can learn on a slippery pole, then I will really be able to stick the moves at the studio. I have found that at my studio, the slippery poles aren't nearly as bad as what the others at my beginner level think they are, since mine is epically slippery :-) When I absolutely need grip, I use Dry Hands, because I do tend to sweat a lot. The alcohol does do a number on my skin though, so my hands are quite ugly and the skin is very dry. I still have to clean the pole a lot with alcohol, and wash my hand often, if not wearing Dry Hands. Try not to get discouraged. You are not alone in that fight with a slippery chrome xpole:-)
Dancing Paws · 5/19/2013
Things to consider: How long have you had this chrome pole? It takes a while to break them in. Studio poles get heavy use so they tend to be grippier. Are you warming the pole up enough and you body, before trying moves? A warm pole and warm body = better grip. Stainless might be easier for you to grip than chrome. Some people are that way and others are the reverse. If you absolutely cannot grip, try some . That's what I do on those horrid grip days.
Veena · 5/19/2013
Try this, works great for new poles and also warms the pole too. 🥂https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/50ccac91-674c-4915-8e13-3b120ac37250
CrazyKosters · 5/19/2013
A quick way to warm up the pole and your skin if a "warm up" isn't working that good is use a hairdryer on it and your self for a few seconds. I don't think it hurts the pole but maybe someone else knows. Just a thought!
DancePantsPrincess · 5/19/2013
Thank you everyone!! @StudioVeena, I will try steaming my pole tomorrow. I also ordered some Dry Hands. Thanks again, your tips are all well appreciated!!!
calipolepixie · 5/19/2013
Even after having it 3 years, I STILL have slippery pole issues with my chrome xpert. A couple of things have helped...warming it up well with either steam cleaner or heater. The steam seems to work better than the heater. I hear that a blow dryer works well too but it takes longer. Dry hands has helped a great deal too. Can't wait until I can get a TG or SV pole! I'm tired of SPS (slippery pole syndrome)
calipolepixie · 5/19/2013
Even after having it 3 years, I STILL have slippery pole issues with my chrome xpert. A couple of things have helped...warming it up well with either steam cleaner or heater. The steam seems to work better than the heater. I hear that a blow dryer works well too but it takes longer. Dry hands has helped a great deal too. Can't wait until I can get a TG or SV pole! I'm tired of SPS (slippery pole syndrome)
monica kay · 5/20/2013
i sanded my titanium gold xpole with 600 grit sandpaper and finally, after 3 years of grip issues, i have experienced improved grip. note- the gold had faded and rubbed off already.
monica kay · 5/20/2013
i sanded my titanium gold xpole with 600 grit sandpaper and finally, after 3 years of grip issues, i have experienced improved grip. note- the gold had faded and rubbed off already.
DancePantsPrincess · 5/20/2013
I'm about to have a panic attack (not literally)!!!! Just got back from yet another great class in which I had no issue climbing the pole, pole sitting, spins, etc. Come home to show my husband, can't even get one leg to stick to climb! AGGHHH. It is SO discouraging! I love class, but I bought the pole so that I can actually practice and advance. It cost a lot of money and I can't even use it. Things we have tried: Distilled White Vinegar Steam clean Rubbing Alcohol Sanding (my husband sanded a bit of the very bottom of the pole, no help at all, almost worse) Windex Not wearing lotion, ever (made it much worse) Hair Dryer I have 2 different types of grip aid's coming in the mail this week. But the thing that bugs me is that in class I don't need grip aid! This is incredibly frustrating and making me want to just sell the damn pole even though I'll lose a bunch of money.
monica kay · 5/20/2013
:( sorry you are so frustrated. I can sympathize completely tho. New poles have to be "broken in". Some people's body chemistry just doesnt gel with fresh poles. Dont give up! Dont sell it! I am finally able to stick to my pole and it took fighting with it off and on for years. If I had been more tenacious, i probably would have broken it in sooner.
Lyme Lyte · 5/20/2013
I sanded my first chrome pole and it helped a ton also. FINE grit paper.....
DancePantsPrincess · 5/20/2013
Lyme Lyte - When my husband sanded the pole, it took some stuff off (maybe the chrome?). It seemed to make it worse. Did anything come off when you sanded yours?
Paunobs · 5/20/2013
It is very disappointing , I had to sell my brushed brass XPole 6months after I purchased it because I could get no grip , I sold it for $250 less than what I purchased it for, for me the best grip has been the titanium XPole i cannot use stsinless steel either , all of the poles needs to be warmed up along with your body sometimes that will take. Good 1/2 hour , body chemistry and skin affects grip as well. Have you tried a bit of mighty grip ?
Veena · 5/20/2013
I can only work with Chome when myself and the pole is warm. Im not a naturally warm/sweaty person. Something else that you might try is lubriderm lotion! Put it on the night before you dance, this has worked well for me. Dew point could help too if dryness is a problem.
DancePantsPrincess · 5/21/2013
Paunobs - I have some Mighty Grip samples coming in the mail. I also ordered Dry Hands. StudioVeena - I'll give the Lubriderm a try!
Paunobs · 5/21/2013
Sometimes I mix grips, itac and dry hands , and dry hands , mighty grip does not work fir me anymore since getting hot flushes( menopause) just keep trying :-)
Dancing Paws · 5/21/2013
just to reference the grip aides: Dry hands is good for sweaty hands and won't help if you issue is non-tacky skin. Mighty grip is good for slick hands that just need some added tack. I believe it can be used on the body too. and itac are meant for the body for the most part. Itac can make slippage worse on the hands.
DancePantsPrincess · 5/21/2013
Thank you for the information AerialGypsy!
Dancing Paws · 5/22/2013
If you have dry hands, that can affect your grip too. You might try moisturizing your hands before bed with a glycerine based lotion.
brookelynn · 5/22/2013
I've also heard of some women using cheap shaving cream and Vaseline Intensive Care (men's) as grip aids.
pegasusaerialfitness · 5/24/2013
Try scrubbing your legs and other non sticky parts with a hot damp towel with a little vinegar..( if you don't use a lot it won't smell at all I promise) then when your legs are air dried use some . I only need it on my legs.. Mary Ellen said Care Ve basic lotion has almost all the same ingredients as Pole Physics...I love, love, love, pole physics. But have very dry skin. Use it the night before. I find I stick best to my chrome after a hot shower. Some finishes don't work for some people...I won't stick to brass, ss can be fickle for me....but I can usually make it happen..coated poles are great when I'm cold then they rip my skin off as soon as I'm warm.. I have the opportunity to try to TG ( I'm so curious though)... But my 40 chrome is by far my most favorite and easiest pole to work on. Good luck. @AG..I use dry hands as a grip ad...it works great for me. Maybe because I'm a sweater?
DancePantsPrincess · 5/24/2013
I received my grip aid's in the mail and have only tried the Dry Hands so far. It worked great! I actually preferred to put it on the pole, then wipe with a rag. When it was on just my hands, it was peeling my skin off. Hoping to try Mighty Grip tonight or tomorrow!
CrazyKosters · 5/26/2013
When i move into my new house, im going to try a space heater and a humidifier to make it warm and humid ( after i paint my walls with mold resistent bathroom paint 😉) and see if that helps. Every time i went to the studio, it was always really warm and about 40-50% humidity after warming up (basing it off hot yoga) and I couldn't even do a spin because i was literally stuck to the pole lol. They were stainless steel poles to.

Load more replies (page 2 of 3)