take a day break or keep going?

cellardoor77 started this discussion · 7/24/2009

i wanted to know if it'd help for me to take a break to let my hands kinda not get as sore... i'm starting to callus a little (had my pole since yesterday) got a full 1 hour plus almost 2 practice last night and one earlier today my hands are soar cuz my grip isnt very strong and is starting to callus... would my hands get used to the pole faster just keep practicing anyways... or giving them a little break... what worked for you ladies... same question with muscle soreness i'm not in pain they're just sore so keep going or take a break... or just take it easy but still play on it... thanks everyone in advance any advice would be amazing... its so amazingly fun i can do the pole sit, twisted grip and some cool spinny move hard to explain and one spin (dont know the name) and i can climb the pole lol not too bad i suppose for 2 practices everyone have a great day!!! or night lol

5 replies

miss fern · 7/24/2009
Well if your muscles are sore and achy, it's worth a day off - as this actually makes your muscles heal and grow stronger than if you force yourself to train every day. If it's just your hands - then don't worry about it. Calluses are part of being a pole dancer. Gymnasts have the same rough, dry skin on their hands too. But while we're on this topic, remember that it's important not to get too excited and gallop straight towards all the cool stuff. You will just end up building the 'wrong' muscles, coz you won't be strong enough and your body will compensate by putting other muscle groups into action -- and in a few months you will kick yourself when you have to go back to square one! It's totally worth mastering at least 5 beginner spins before climbing, IMO (that's what I make my students do in my classes anyway).
PoleDanceABCs · 7/24/2009
It takes a while but you will learn the right amount of hand-grip for you. I know I was holding on way too tight my first few days so my hands burned and burned. You really don't have to hold on for dear life but it feels like you have to the first few times. Whether you like it or not you are going to get rough hands with pole dancing. I'm rather proud of my calluses. 😀 You will quickly learn about new muscles in your body and feel sore in places you never knew existed. Do NOT live by the motto "No pain, no gain" because that is old-fashioned and just plain silly. The only time I can see how the motto makes sense is when your skin pinches and burns on the pole because you can't help that a 100%. The motto does NOT work for muscle pain or when you over-stretch yourself because you'll just end up in physical therapy or something and that is not gain. If you are sore just take a day off because your muscles deserve it. The best thing about taking a break is that the day after you will be so strong and you'll be surprised how much better or longer you can do a move. 🥂 Oh and in one of the Friday night chats one of our more advanced ladies said she only pole dances a few times a week because it her joints hurt. So if she takes time off so should everyone. Having said all that... The Twisted Grip on your first day??!!?!! 😕 I'd be careful... that is a pretty advanced move and you don't want to hurt yourself.
Rouge_LAmour · 7/24/2009
Golly, as someone who can spend a lot of time teaching I can only recommend taking a day off in between. In fact it's a necessity. I'm completely shagged after teaching about 5 or so hours this week, in addition to working on my own stuff. My body aches. Having long bath type aching. OK, so I'm nearing 40.... Anyway, take days off in between at this point, it is important. Your body will thank you later. Take the downtime to stretch and work on strength work rather than pole. Your body will thank you later. Especially if you're over 30, it's a lot harder at this age than for an early 20's woman. So, take your time, enjoy some down time in between. Be very careful of your shoulders (in particular) and ensure you're not going above your ability. Everyone goes through the "flinging" stage in the first 3 - 4 months, this is the most dangerous as you think you can do so much more than you really can. By flinging, you can incur awful injuries and badly damage important joints, like shoulders, wrists and elbows. I know I sound like a mother / teacher, but I am and I see this every week. take you time and you'll enjoy pole for far longer.
cellardoor77 · 7/24/2009
thank you ladies so much for the advice... i'm brand new to poling and well... pretty brand new to working out on a regular basis so i really had no idea lol i knew i'd get calluses but just wasnt sure if giving them a little time or keep going would make them used to the pole faster. now that i know i should go slower i'll just focus on baby steps on getting my muscles stronger. i think i just got over excited and just wanted to try out everything lol like last night i learned how to hand upside down with no hands (with cushions of course) so yeah i'll be taking it slower now the only things that are sore are my shoulders (the top, not the shoulder blade area) and my arms just cuz they're so weak but its not a painful burn or pain in nerves or anything just a nice workout warmth lol same with my legs and a little bit in my belly... THANK YOU AGAIN LADIES 😀
cellardoor77 · 7/24/2009
It takes a while but you will learn the right amount of hand-grip for you. I know I was holding on way too tight my first few days so my hands burned and burned. You really don't have to hold on for dear life but it feels like you have to the first few times. Whether you like it or not you are going to get rough hands with pole dancing. I'm rather proud of my calluses. 😀 You will quickly learn about new muscles in your body and feel sore in places you never knew existed. Do NOT live by the motto "No pain, no gain" because that is old-fashioned and just plain silly. The only time I can see how the motto makes sense is when your skin pinches and burns on the pole because you can't help that a 100%. The motto does NOT work for muscle pain or when you over-stretch yourself because you'll just end up in physical therapy or something and that is not gain. If you are sore just take a day off because your muscles deserve it. The best thing about taking a break is that the day after you will be so strong and you'll be surprised how much better or longer you can do a move. 🥂 Oh and in one of the Friday night chats one of our more advanced ladies said she only pole dances a few times a week because it her joints hurt. So if she takes time off so should everyone. Having said all that... The Twisted Grip on your first day??!!?!! 😕 I'd be careful... that is a pretty advanced move and you don't want to hurt yourself. i'm sorry i said the wrong thing... reverse grab lol not twisted grip i'm so sorry for the confusion :S