Static vs Spinning?

Foxy_Rei started this discussion · 3/17/2009

Hello all, I was just wondering which is more... well, what's better: having your pole on static mode or spin mode? It seems like spinning creates a challenge of holding on and not getting thrown off by the extra movement (not to mention getting dizzy), that it allows you to do hold spins longer because you can let the pole spin instead of you, and that it almost displays your moves more (kinda like those spinning displays you see in store windows). However, I've also gotten the impression that having it on spin mode is almost like cheating and that it takes more control, strength, and talent when having your pole on static because it's all purely the person using it. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but reading info from videos on YouTube almost came across that way. Any comments? For me, I have a crappy pole and it sometimes decides it wants to spin and I find it highly irritating. I go for a fast spin and suddenly the room is going by twice as fast as it should be when my feet leave the floor. I also prefer the videos that I see in static because the spinning is almost too showy at times, plus since I'm teaching myself I like to be able to see how exactly the moves are being done without having to follow the person's body around in circles...

11 replies

PoleDork · 3/17/2009
Hi Jacq! In my opinion it comes down to personal preference and what you want to do. I wouldn't put too much weight on what other people think. I've only had my pole for a few days but I use static for the majority of my practice and learning new moves and switch it to spinning towards the end for a bit of fun 😀 I love seeing how many combination's of moves I can get into the one spin 😛 but yeah spinny = dizzyness lol so be careful. I have seen some awesome vids on spinny mode, my fav is the winner of Miss Pole Dance Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KnUW9N3Zo
Lisa · 3/17/2009
I agree that it's a matter of personal choice, and I personally don't think it's considered "cheating," simply because the challenges of static are replaced by the further challenges of coping with "spinny." (And I LOVE 👍 the Miss Australia video!) And I do the same thing as you PoleDork (practicing in static and then using the spinny for fun). I like to put it on spinny when I perform for non-pole people just becuz it impresses them more... 😎 What kind of pole do you have? It doesn't sound very safe... 😲 be careful!
Foxy_Rei · 3/17/2009
I have the wonderful, magnificent, lovely Electra-pole! *dun dun dun* I bought it without realizing how deep I wanted to get into pole dancing and thought either way it would be ok if I bolted it to the ceiling. Well, it's bolted to the ceiling, screwed to the floor, and I had to fill the top joint with expanding foam because it rattled horribly. It's staying put, but the joints don't hold solid and the pole moves. It won't go anywhere, but the problem is the pole sometimes spins and also the flexing in the joints is making the join between the top 2 joints kinda flare out. It kinda looks like the edge of a bell, and it hurts to slide over it with my knees. I've tried to make it stop the flexing, but nothing's worked. I'm looking into getting an x-pole used, and I'm waiting for a response back from the girl to see if we have a deal or not... Oh, this should be another topic but I'll ask it here: X-poles supposedly can go on ceilings 7'4" minimum, but does anyone know if you can make it 7' even? I live in a mobile home and all our flat ceilings are only 7'. The pole I have now was too tall, also, and we ended up taking one of the plastic nuts off the bottom to make it fit. Is there anything you can do with an X-pole to make it shorter and still safe? We're going to have to invent a place to put it if we can't, which isn't a big deal, except it'll end up in the living room and I'll have to take it up and down every day...
Jenn · 3/18/2009
There is no such thing as "cheating" when it comes to practicing on static vs. a spinning pole, IMO. Both techniques present their own sets of challenges and skills. They are two completely different as far as I am concerned. I do think that practicing on one may complement the other. For example, you need more strength to hold a static pose when the pole is spinning, so that would translate to being able to hold poses longer on static. Practicing on static enhances grip control, which strengthens the grip in spinning mode. Personally, I prefer static, because I first learned on static, and have not developed the skills and strength necessary to pole comfortably on spinning. I do play with it from time to time, but I can only do a few tricks and combos. Although, looking back, I wish I would've dedicated a little more time to practicing on spinning mode.
Tantric Limpet · 3/18/2009
I have only tried spinning twice and got dizzy and scared lol I think both ways require a lot of skill! 😀
RoxyPink · 3/18/2009
I completely agree with Jenn....It is preference....not cheating!! I actually prefer spinning as I find it much more difficult to control moves. And it just looks totally HOT! However, I master the move first on static/stationary. For example...I just got my cartwheel mount 😀 😀 😀 on static, and I won't dare to try it on spinning for quite sometime. Each are difficult in their own right and I also think that they complement each other...which is why a lot of times you see both a spinning pole and a stationary pole at competitions/exhibitions. 😀
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/18/2009
Well I've only been poling a few days but I like both!! I switch back and forth pretty frequently during my sessions. Spins kinda hurt my hands when the pole is on static. I have a Titanium X. I did notice that spinning is more challenging as far as grip so I think it's helping me to build strength. I use static more when I'm stretching and practicing handstands and moves like ballerina but primarily my pole is on spin mode. I understand what Jenn said about the modes complimenting each other. It seems like the difference modes help to balance the body. I listen to what my body is telling me. If it feels like it needs to practice in static I go static. If it feels like it needs to go spinny, I go spinny!!! 😂 There's no such thing as cheating. It's YOUR pole. You dance however you want to! 🥂
Novadog · 3/18/2009
Hello All, My haepney's worth...It's easier to have more control when it's on static. I find I have less control when it's in spinning mode. I'm trying to learn to control the spin, as I find my grip is getting such that I tend to stay there in spinny mode when I want to slide down. It is better for strength, though I find it tougher, and way more dangerous - I'm worried I'm going to send myself through a window. Also in spinny mode you just kind of have to lean into the pole, not actually push yourself round. I'm used to static now, I intend to use spinny when I can suspend myself using my arms. nx
NJFit · 12/26/2010
I just got my 50mm X-pole for Christmas & tried it out 🙂 WEEEEE & WOOO-HOOO! I LOVE IT!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqo1-9FeoN8 my U Tube Video This is my first spin- and my forearms are killing me- I think it is more challenging than the static pole. You can't use momentum to spin, it's all strength & no burn. It's also a big challenge to practice "spotting" & figuring out where you are facing at a given time.... it looks so lovely it's worth learning NJ FitnessClass
MrsNaughtywed · 12/26/2010
I often ask this question too. Static or Spinning? Firstly, I don't believe spinning is cheating. It's like a different kind of pole dancing to me. I prefer static when doing regular spins. I don't like doing spins on a spinning pole. But, I rather do aerial inverted tricks on a spinning pole. I think it looks prettier and more like ballet. Plus I love the euphoric feeling when I'm spinning fast hanging upside down on a spinning pole. :O I need to get 2 poles lol. 😛 I think it's personal choice. It think it's good to learn and try both poles to see what you like best. 🙂
shellypoles · 1/6/2011
Anyone who says spinning pole is cheating or easier than static doesn't know what they're talking about. It's not easier nor is it harder to do spinning pole, it is, simply put, a completely different technique. I like both static and spinner, I usually choose the spin mode when there is a combonation of 4 or more moves, usually on a faster part of the music I am working with, that I want to connect, The challenge here is to keep the pole spinning and keep my grip...And I like the comment, "It's your pole, you dance however you want on it".