Slipping on pole

Innocent26 started this discussion · 7/8/2013

Hello all! After completing a beginner pole fitness course, I have become completely hooked on the pole! I just invested in my first chrome x-pole and have been looking at Studioveena for inspiration and ideas. Will definitely be up for polejam via skype when I improve a little :) I absolutely love my pole but am having major problems with gripping the pole. I never had this problem in class, even in my first few weeks and really dont know what to do. I have tried chalk but it is no help at all. Did anyone else have this problem when they first bought their pole? How do u get around it? Thanks in advance :)

12 replies

adAstra · 7/8/2013
A few things that could make a difference are if your pole is brand new or used, what material/finish it is, the temperature of the room, and the size (diameter) of your pole. If you have a new pole you may want to use steam from a steam cleaner or iron to get the packaging residue off. If it is a different finish from the pole you use in class you may just need to adjust to the difference or buy a grip aid (SV has some great discussions on that, the search feature is awesome). If your room is substantially cooler or warmer you may again need to adjust to it. Finally, a bigger or smaller pole (diameter) will have different grip for your hands and elbow/knee pits. In general, a smaller pole is easier to grip for smaller hands but harder to grip with legs and a larger pole is easier to grip for larger hands and easier for legs. HTH & Welcome!
adAstra · 7/8/2013
Oh! and don't worry about being brand new or not; I lost pretty much all my neat pole moves (the few I had!) after being sick for months and now I can't invert (turns out I'm pregnant!). I still try to get some virtual pole jams on (I coordinate some, check my profile) and I am planning to pole a video on here too at some point. You'll find that polers, especially Veeners, are SUPER supportive and quite honestly want to see you improve so don't worry :D There are also great lessons here that could help you advance faster.
Lara von Mondberg · 7/8/2013
Hi dear! I always shower before practicing, so that I get rid of all my lotion. Then I clean my pole with Vodka, before training and between spins and tricks too, if necessary. I don't like to use grip so much, but if I still slip, I use either on e of my grips: Dry Hands or Liquid Grip, or I damp my hands with a bit of the vodka (any vodka, even a cheep one - alcohol cleans the pole perfectly). I always warm up, Veena says that warm body sticks better to the pole and it is true. I rub the pole a bit if it still feels cold. But I have had some days when I was slipping a bit more than on others, might be also something with the body chemistry and how much we sweat. Sometimes I slip when my hands are too dry. That can also cause slipping. I believe there is some kind of grip, I think dew Point, that is designed for that. In general, I would say the longer I do pole dance, the easier it gets, since I am developing strength over the months. Hope anything from the above would help you :) Big hug :)
Innocent26 · 7/8/2013
Thanks so much for the reply. My pole is brand new - its a 45mm chrome x pole. The one I use in class is 50mm but I have quite small hands so decided to drop down a size for my own one. I have noticed it is slightly harder for the leg grip and I need to squeeze harder but my main problem is just slide straight down whether I am gripping with hands or legs - at the moment I can barely climb up it which I have no problems doing in class :( Have tried keeping the room at different temperatures but that hasn't made much of a difference and I don't know what else to try now. Congratulations on the pregnancy :) Exciting! I will def check out the pole jams, just need to build a bit of confidence (and learn to grip on my pole!) before I join
Innocent26 · 7/8/2013
Thanks Mondberg! Will try some vodka now - so far have been using window cleaner as that is what x-pole manufacturers recommend. It cleans the pole nicely but hasn't made any difference to grip. I don't put on lotion the days before I practice but will also shower before. Just feeling a little deflated as I can't do any of the things I learnt in class on my own pole :( Have to keep telling myself to keep trying and it should improve!
Lara von Mondberg · 7/8/2013
No worries sweetie, it will get better :) I have used the window cleaner before and it didn't work for me either. I guess it leaves some kind of film on the pole. Vodka for cleaning pole rocks :)
Innocent26 · 7/8/2013
Ok will def get some vodka this week and let u know how it goes :)
Stefbarron · 7/8/2013
I am familiar with this problem :-) I've got the same pole as you and I was so frustrated with it at first. My pole still isn't as grippy as the ones at the studio BUT it is much better than it used to be. What worked for me is using steam to clean the pole and alcohol. I still use both of these and they work well. Additionally, the latest thing I've found that really helps is corn huskers lotion. I think it works on the same principle as , dry skin won't stick to the pole. I put it on my arms and legs before I warm up to pole. Also, even with all these tips both the pole and my skin have to be REALLY warm, or the grip just isn't good. Good luck! I hope you get it worked out!
calipolepixie · 7/8/2013
Make sure you are stretching & warming up your body & pole really well before poling. A cold pole+cold muscles=no go on the pole. Also having a clean pole helps-rubbing alcohol, vinegar, vodka, clothes steamer are several methods used try em all until you find one that works for you. If you can forgo using/becoming dependent on grip aides that's a plus however, If even after trying everything that's been suggested here, you are still slipping try a little grip aid. I have dry hands, sweaty inner thighs but dry outer legs go figure. For my hands & outer legs, I use for corn huskers &/or , for my inner thighs & knee pit areas, I use dry hands. HTH!
TheBigCheese · 7/8/2013
I bought the same exact pole and had the same problems when I initially got it. I was so fed up and frustrated I actually stopped using it for a while. I was seriously ready to throw it out the window. Don't give up - the more you use it, the more you'll be able to break it in. The reason the poles in studios are so grippy is because they've been used over and over again by students. As the other girls mentioned, alcohol, vinegar, and steam cleaning are all good options. I use and that helps a lot, especially in the winter when I'm dry. I also will do some high intensity cardio (e.g. running) before I pole so I'm all nice and warm and that works like a charm. Make sure the pole itself is nice and warmed up as well. You can do that by doing some spins/pirouettes. Good luck!
Innocent26 · 7/8/2013
Thank you all so much for the advice - you have given me motivation to keep trying! I was getting so fed up with it last night but will try all the tips and make sure I am fully warmed up (I do warm up and stretch before I start but probably not enough).
rachymc · 7/9/2013
I have the exact same pole, I've also only started off and I'm having the same problems. It was really really frustrating me too, I even bought liquid chalk, which ended up making my hands way too smooth (yet dry)... so I still couldn't grip. I got really annoyed and washed it all off my hands, wet the pole with the water that was on my hands to clean off the residue, and dried both hands and pole thoroughly with a towel...hey presto.. I had so much grip it was almost slowing my spins down!! LOL I still think its because I'm new and still building grip strength, and my pole is new. I can grip the same pole in class perfectly, the minute i try to grip my own one I have nothing. I was also practicing at a friends house, I couldn't grip properly at all, she'd walk right up, and grip and do one handed spins so that said to me it was me! Im guessing its my strength and when I get tired I cant grip as tight, plus my hands get moist, but I mostly think its strength. We'll get there yet!! :)