Superman & Knee hold!?!?!?!?!? ARGHHHH!

RoxyPink started this discussion · 4/16/2009

Okay, so I guess it's my turn to vent! these two moves completely elude me....my first real nemesis'. I've tried superman from invert, inverted thigh hold, hip hold, gemini, sm..you name it and I just can't get it!!! I get into the "flip" position and just can't seem to get over. Is it possible my thighs are a little to "thick"??? I know I have the strength and there is no fear of falling or pain so I just don't get it! Maybe I should post a vid!?!? I'm only frustrated with the knee hold because I just recently started working on it and I just can't seem to let go for longer than a split second! I know most people hook their bottom foot over the top foot, but it seems easier when I hook the top foot over the bottom...is there a right or wrong way of doing this?? I guess whatever works...right?? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...I would really like to remove these from my "need to beat" list!:)

19 replies

glitterhips · 4/16/2009
Dont feel bad I cant get the superman either and Ive tried dozens of ways to get into it! As for the knee hold have you tried the chair trick? That might help you if you have something to balance on while figuring out a foot position to help you stay up longer. Also make sure you push your hips forward which you might already be doing...Im no expert so I always feel funny giving advice as I only got the knee hold about two months ago myself!
RoxyPink · 4/16/2009
I would love to know what this chair trick is!?!?!? Someone else said that before, but what exactly is it?? You must tell! 😀
Veena · 4/16/2009
Yes you should make a video that would help. Glitter is right about pushing the hips forward. It should be easier to hold the hold with your heel of your bottom legs on top of the front of your top leg but yes whatever works. Awww the superman, have you tried it from a shoulder mount? Fleur does it to get into the superman...she doesn't like doing it my way (the flipping your hips). I find that if you really press with your arms so that you can let go of the pole with your legs for a sec then you can flip easier.
Polegirlsonia · 4/16/2009
Both moves should be learnt at the bottom of the pole, standing height, ok Supermen, have a look in flip position at your resting leg, try and get the pole as high up on that thigh as possible, as in, inline with crutch, use your bottom arm to lift you into that if your having trouble keeping it there, Now the leg that has to straighten to flip should be alot easier to push down if the pole is high on the resting leg, if your still having trouble try really extending it out first then down to meet the resting leg. go i hope that makes sence! 😂 The Knee Hold, try from the floor, put your top leg on wider than your hips so you will have to semi stand on your bottom foot, then place that knee of the bottom leg in so the pole is under the kneecap, make sure your knees are wider than your hips at all times, put your free hand on the floor and push your hips forward, you should then be able to let go of the floor and the pole lastly. god thats hard to explaine in writing!! 😂 I hope this is of some use to you 🙂 good luck, and keep trying, you'll get them! 😀
Trena · 4/17/2009
I really wana help you because these two moves eluded me for a long time too. I only got Superman about a month ago and getting into it still isnt as elegant as Id like. I only finally go the knee hold last week and it still hurts!! Im reeeeeeeeally CRAP at expaining moves in writing but I'll give it a shot! 😕 Ok Superman. I do it from gemini and when I get to the flip position I keep one leg kind of static and I move the other leg. I do a 'knee to nose' type movement with the leg and tilt my body over at the same time. If you cant get it all in one motion try doing a few 'knee to nose' movements til you finally get there. (Told you Im crap at explaining stuff!!) I would love to see a video if you have one... Knee Hold: I have my top leg behind my bottom leg, therefore my bottom leg is at the front and my top leg is at the back. I dunno if theres a right or wrong way but I usually do whatever works at the time. The main thing is to PUSH those hips forward, this will tighten the grip of your top leg and I feel it kinda more evenly distributes the weight between my knees. Its kinda scary letting go first cause I used to fall forward a little but thats cause I rushed it each time Id be letting go. Now I take it a little slower each time. I posted a knee hold video on the site here if you wana check it out. Its my first time ever getting it so it show exactly what I did. Listen I really hope this helps. I know how frustrating trying to get a move can be especially when you're so close. 😠
RoxyPink · 4/17/2009
Ok... Veena- The closest I come to actually getting into it is my sm...I just can't get my arm high enough...I know I'm doing something wrong! I'm definitly going to have to post a vid! That is my homework assignment for tomorrow! Polegirl- It almost seems like the higher I have the pole...the harder it is...I think it's because some how the pole is pressed against the front of my thigh vs the inside...As far as the knee hold, I'll have to try from the floor. thanks Trena- I loved your reaction when you got your knee hold...I will post my reaction once I FINALLY get these two brats! thanks everyone! I will hopefully have one up tomorrow night!
Deirdre · 4/17/2009
Yea, I hear ya about that darn knee hold, I can't get it yet either! Here's what I found with the superman: when getting into the Gemini, after you've hooked your leg and are reaching up to grab above your knee, grab pretty close to your knee. I was grabbing a good distance above which gave me no room for that little "drop" that occurs when you flip over. The drop is essential!! If you don't have a little room, your inner thighs will stick. I thought my thighs were too big for this move because every time I'd flip over, that little bit of fat we all love to hate got stuck to the pole--but when I started grabbing closer the problem disappeared. HTH, and good luck!
RoxyPink · 4/17/2009
Dierdre...that is the exact problem that I have. It's not lifting my top leg high enough off of the pole it's that darn inner thigh on my bottom! I'm gonna try lowering my hand... gonna make a vid tonight!
Neke · 4/17/2009
I probably won't be able to help, but I'll try 🙂 I like to get into the superman from a hip hold - my hands are free, so I brace on the bottom with my right while bringing my legs closer together, and bend my body out and reach up to grab the pole with my left. Superman! With the knee hold, I just couldn't let go at first... then eventually I could hold it for a little while until my bottom leg would slip and I'd try to grab myself before getting bashed into the pole. I couldn't do it when I was slippery or the pole was slippery... eventually it didn't matter. Then I could hold it a little longer, and now I can get into it while I'm spinning and hold it for ages. I think its just like all the others - eventually you get used to it and the bruises go away. Good luck! 🙂
pole-twista · 4/19/2009
i have personally given up on knees for awhile as cant even after all practicing and reading/watching figure out where pole should be on pole i know i am doing it wrong bc pole always ends up directly on bone which kills and i have heard theres a way to rest it on a more fleshy par of leg just cant figur eit out superman got recently after months and month of trying my thing is how do i get out of it??? so far it has been a matter of just dropping out of it bc it takes me so long to flip self that have slid pretty close to floor before get into it but eventually would like to be able to do it higher on the pole and dismount wo breaking my face any tips would be great
RoxyPink · 4/20/2009
So I had to tell everyone that I GOT IT!! I got the superman...it wasn't pretty but I did it...and not just once...but like 10 times. My thighs are beaten but it is so worth it! I went to the studio yesterday and was practicing doing knee swings...and was like "okay lets try it" and boy was I shocked!! I even was able to do a figurehead from it! 😀 🥂 ok enough of my gloating...just super excited and had to share! ☀️ 🥂 🫡 🌸 👸 🏛️
Deirdre · 4/20/2009
Woohoo!!!! Good for you 🥂
Trena · 4/20/2009
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!! Im soooo happy for you! Well done girl! 😀
azriel · 4/20/2009
that's awesome!!! can't wait to see a vid!!!
Veena · 4/21/2009
Alright!!!!! wonderful here's a silly victory dance for ya... 🤸 😬 🤸 🤸 😬 🤓
RoxyPink · 4/21/2009
Thanks everyone for the great tips and support! I will make a vid as soon as I have feeling back in my thigh!:) It's pretty beaten up right now. 😀
Gayle · 4/23/2009
I can totally relate. From day one, I've always wanted to learn the superman. I've gotten into it a few times but always with my instructor spotting me. I have a lot of trouble flipping my hips over & I find that it burns like a bitch!!! I know that I will eventually get it but the pain makes cringe. I find it to be a very frightening move. I supposed I should just suck it up and try it on my own. Any suggestions on how to flip the hips quickly?
RoxyPink · 4/27/2009
So here is another update! My superman is getting much much better...I can do it now with out making the "omg this hurts...constipated" face! I also managed to do like half a dozen knee holds with actually letting go. I held one for almost 20 sec!!:) I figured out that I was having issues with my footplacement...once I corrected it...BAM! Thanks everyone for the tips and if my pole and I decide to get along tonight I will try to make a vid!! Happy poling! 😀 😀
Trena · 4/27/2009
Yaaaaay! Well done Roxy!! 😀