so...does anyone else think their xpert chrome-finish feel slippery?

rachelskye started this discussion · 2/8/2011

I've had my xpert pole for almost a year and the finish just feels SOOOO slippery. I HAVE to use grip enhancers just to be able to do a simple climb or fireman spin, when my hands aren't even sweaty. I thought maybe it would wear off after awhile, but it hasn't. I get great grip on stainless steel and brass often without having to use a grip aid (until my hands become sweaty). So i was just wondering if anyone else thought that the chrome finish on their xpole feels slippery...it's kind of a pain in the ass. makes it waaaay harder to do my tricks because i have to use extra strength just to hold. and then i get tired quicker :(

15 replies

minicoopergrl · 2/8/2011
How long are you warming up with your pole before you start pratcing? I noticed that with my pole as well. since mines in the laundry room, I turn on the dryer for 20min and warm up while the dryer is running. Ill stretch, climb up and down a few times etc. Then were ready to roll!
LizzyLiz810 · 2/9/2011
I cant stand the chrome. Had the same problem. I got a gold titanium xpole now and its a huge difference!!!! I couldnt do ANYTHINGGGGG on the chrome. I had it for a year as well. On the gold, i can do pretty much anything, without using grip aids
Shellectra · 2/9/2011
YES mine is always slippery, I refused to use grip aid so I would gain stronger wrists and hand grip myself (which I have) but I am trying to do aysha and straight edge moves and just slip right down in that position so HAVE To use grip aid :( :(
crazykitten · 2/9/2011
I had this problem too with my 45 mm. Couldn't do anything! I ended up buying a gold titanium, and am so glad I spent the extra money! It makes so much difference.
miss v · 2/9/2011
I have this problem with the gold. It is brand new and I have had it for about less than a year. I talked to some of my teachers and they said that it just has to be broken in. The poles at the studio are perfect but home I slide down. They said to just keep using it and eventually it will get better. I am keeping my fingers crossed! lol!
Veena · 2/9/2011
A few things affect our grip. Environment, Skin Type, Pole Finish. Try cleaning the pole well with Dawn dish soap when you first set it up. Another grip enhancer is.. do a proper warm up! So for injury prevention and best grip always use a warm up that includes moves that will warm the pole especially if your dancing in a cold room. This is a warm up designed to warm the pole and yourself 😉 https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/80540840-b88a-11df-856f-001b214581be Almost every pole finish will be useable if your fully warmed up! So keep that in mind before you decide you have the wrong pole. Dry or cold skin will not grip well on any finish, warming up fully so the skin is slightly damp will give you nice grip. However....For those who tend to sweat more it seems Chrome and even Titanium gold will be too slick once warmed up because the sweat will also make this finishes slick. So it seems that the dancers who sweat a bit more like Stainless steel best. The dancers that are slow to sweat or have very dry skin hate Stainless still and stick better to Chrome or TG. You'll have good grip days and bad depending on your environment as well. Some find humid days are wonderful for grip...others sweat too soon and then begin to slip. For myself cold and dry is a horrible combination. I don't sweat much and my body cools off quickly in a cold room especially my legs. TG is my preferred pole, but Chrome works just as well for me as long as I have warmed up the pole and myself. If you a new dancer and plan on doing static spins the TG will be a bit hard on your hands and I would say stick with Chrome.
rachelskye · 2/9/2011
I understand what you're saying about warming up the pole veena. I always warm up, to the point that my skin has a slight moisture so i can do leg holds. But even after i warm up,(and my pole is warmed) the chrome unfortunately still feels slick. i LOVE stainless steel, but xpole doesn't use that. i was gonna go with platinum stages but they were more expensive and i've heard too many horror stories with the shipping and customer service. i'll definitely try using the dawn soap technique. right now i just use rubbing alcohol to clean. thank you for your suggestions! xoxo
PoleKitten87 · 2/9/2011
I find the chrome xpole to have much more grip than my chrome PS permanant. I usually can just hop right on the chrome xpole, but use grip aids when practicing harder/new tricks for "self-security". I had great experiences with PS's customer service when they cut the pole to the wrong length in 2009. They immediately shipped out one cut properly and it was here in about 2 days. It did suck I got an improperly cut pole the first time. I find that pole to be more slick than the xpole though and a lot of warming up is required to get to the point I can do a lot of stuff on it.
Veena · 2/10/2011
Polekitten...when you say PS pole do you mean Platinum Stages? They don't sell a Chrome finish pole they have Stainless steel and brass. So that would be why your chrome has more grip for you. I too had poor service when I purchased my PS pole 🙁
zappja · 5/19/2012
I sometimes spray my pole with hairspray :)
HellOnHeelsNH · 5/19/2012
I rubbed a candle on it and I stuck great for spinny mode...not for staticspin but leg holds and climbing it worked well for
Tali Kat · 5/20/2012
I've used a brass and a chrome pole, and chrome is waaaay more slippery, esp in cold weather but it depends on your body type. It suits me because I've got dry skin and I've found brass actually hurts when I get really warm. Sometimes I even grind to a hault midspin on brass when its really warmed up XD However atm I'm finding in the cold weather I can't do a pole sit without sliding down on my chrome pole. Esp since it's a 40mm. I'm probably gunna have killer thighs one day with all the strengthing I'll have to do XD
PersianXcursian · 5/20/2012
I considered slipperyness when I went to buy a pole and since the TG was only $30 more I figured I'd spend the extra $30 and save money on having to buy a ton of grip aid for a chrome pole.
CreativityBySteffie · 5/20/2012
I love my chrome pole. Its the only one I've had, but recently I got to try I gold titanium (Ithink its called) And I got stuck on it. It felt like it was stretching my skin, and when I did a fireman on static mode, I just stod stil in the fireman position. I just wash mine with alcohol. In the beginning I did have to use grip aid and gloves, but that was me being to weak. Now I dont really use grip aid and it is only on the very hot days and when I have photolamps in front of me, that gloves are used. I think it depends on so much for each person. Weather, body type, strenght level, humidity. All you can do is follow your gut. I personally had no idea og grip issues when I got mine, I just chose the chrome because it would look good with my kitchen, where it is placed :D But I love it.
VeeRose · 5/20/2012
at home i have a powder coated pole, which is great for grip, sometimes too grippy, but at the studio i attend they have the chrome xpoles and i am forever wiping it down and sliding if i haven't just wiped it down, it is annoying but its not unesable, as veena said.. just something to get used to.. i sweat (live in south fl & its usually 85+ degrees) so i wish i could try a stainless!