TG or Chrome X Pole?

moxxie started this discussion · 5/13/2014

Hi guys! I've been poling for a little over a year now and I recently just sold my SS Platinum Stages on Ebay (SS is soooo not for me it was the most frustrating experience ever). The studio I go to uses mainly chrome poles (I love the 45mm size) which has been great for me so far, but now that I'm investing in a brand new pole for my home I was wondering if anyone can give me any suggestions on which finish to purchase? I live in CT so we have all diff kinds of weather and my skin is dry for the most part although sweaty when I'm trying a new trick lol. Any experience that you could share is greatly appreciated!

20 replies

Veena · 5/13/2014
If you have skin on the dry side the grippiest finish is best. Avoid chrome, SS may work for you if it's well broken in. TG, and powder coated would be a good option. I have normal to dry skin and my brass is great IF I can keep my body temp high so I'm almost sweaty, otherwise I need to use grip aids to stick with my legs on brass.
AllysonKendal · 5/13/2014
I'm no expert but I live in NJ, so not far, and I also have dryer skin. I've only used chrome and TG... My chrome pole is pretty slick in the winter and that's probably when my body is the driest. Now that it's warming up I'm liking it more... But I still have my eye on a TG pole. My studio had one and it's certainly grippy. It tugs my skin a bit, but you get used to it. I got my x-pole sport used for a ready great prince, I just wanted to make sure I could commit before spending the big bucks... But now I'm wanting something that spins so I'm hoping to be getting something new in the near future... And I was def thinking TG... However part of me worries about relying on a grippier finish. I don't have my goals set on performing... And I'm mostly a home poler... But I do want to attend workshops or classes and I worry I won't be able to do anything. So I'm not sure, but I'm leaning towards TG.
AllysonKendal · 5/13/2014
Really great price***not ready great prince! sorry I'm on my phone at work :P
Veena · 5/13/2014
Don't buy a finish because you want to perform or get use to poor grip! When you perform or compete if your smart, you'll use a grip aid that will allow you to stick to the poles they use. Buy a home pole you are comfortable using!!!!!!
moxxie · 5/13/2014
Thanks everyone for all your help! I think I'm going to buy a TG... the winters here def make it harder to keep the pole warm so I think in the long run my body will work best with TG :)
PinkPhoenix · 5/13/2014
I have an S Factor pole and I didn't even know about X pole until about 2 years ago. I have a chrome pole and it is so hard to grip. I have to use so much sticky aid its ridiculous. I have heard that people like the gold titanium poles though. Its still slick, but not as much.
AllysonKendal · 5/13/2014
Thanks Veena. That's good to know. Like I said I'm not looking to compete but somehow I just felt like I should muscle through it or something... Like it'll somehow make me stronger/better. Sometimes I make things more difficult for myself for no reason! Thanks!
Meg Smith · 5/13/2014
I hated stainless steal - I LOVE my T -GOLD though! Never tried any other finish other than those two :-)
SmilingFox · 5/13/2014
I started out with a 50mm chrome x pole at home, March 2013. The studio I go to had 50mm custom stainless poles (1 chrome 50 and 45 xpoles too). I was frustrated that the moves I could do at the studio were next to impossible for me at home. The chrome is so slippery (for my skin type) unless I wear grip aid. My husband and I lacquered my pole which helped quite a bit. In Feb this year I got a new pole. 45mm titanium gold xpole. I love it. Now that I'm used to the tg, when I use the chrome xpole at studio I notice a difference. I think tg has great grip. I've noticed it may be a bit slow to dry (if cleaned or sweaty) vs the chrome though. I'm guessing humidity may not be super for this pole. I'm about to find out though, since hot humid weather is in store for my southern Texas summer :-) So far, I absolutely recommend the 45 titanium gold xpole.
moxxie · 5/14/2014
I'm ordering my TG this week can't wait to try it out! Thanks so much everyone :)
AllysonKendal · 5/14/2014
I actually had my first experience with a stainless steel pole today.... My very own Star Stand Alone. I'm still planning on getting a different/spinny pole to replace my chrome xpole sport.... But now I have to say I'm pretty torn. I thought the stainless was very grippy with my skin. It may have been well broken in (it was used) But even the extension (which was brand new) I found to be quite grippy!
Rachel Osborne · 5/14/2014
This thread is making me feel gloomy. I have ordered a chrome 45 xpert after endless angst because A. Is what I train on at studios B. is available now from xpole us vs waiting til mid June C. I have heard things about TG not being great in humidity/ colour fading and brass being too soft and flexi/getting damaged/needing too much cleaning. But I still wish I was getting a TG. I hope my chrome breaks in with all the vinegar/rubbing alcohol/new x pole cleaner I'm planning on using... It's 80of here and sticky all year. I hope my new pole is grippy enough...
ipole2 · 5/14/2014
Tropicalpole, I'm having similar feelings - my chrome xpert xpole was shipped yesterday and should arrive early next week. I also struggled with the decision before ordering and decided on the chrome after considering the same things you did. I've decided to give it a try, and if I have to use grip aid I'll do that. If after a period of time I really don't like it I'll try to sell it and replace it with TG, but until I've had time to play on it I really won't know. Maybe I'll love it and decide that it really was the best choice for me! Let's think positively and stay excited about our new poles - and please let me know how you like yours when you get it... s
yrngrl · 5/14/2014
I love chrome... I have a 45mm chrome xpole. Now that the weather is warming up, I rarely have problems with grip. If anyone have to just manage my sweaty hands but that would be an issue for me regardless. I find sticking to chrome to be challenging in cold weather, but getting a bit sweaty first (lots of spins, or a short run) does the trick.
yrngrl · 5/14/2014
*anything, not anyone
LilyG3013 · 5/14/2014
I live in Ohio and have fairly dry skin. I have a 45 tg and I really like it. Depending on the weather I still slip, but I also haven't been practicing very often recently so I'm probably just weak. I'm between a 40mm brass or tg for my second one if they ever become available.
yrngrl · 5/14/2014
That said, I do often put a dab of itac in my knee pits and inner thighs, but I'm not convinced I really need to when it's warm, I think I see it as 'insurance' or a security blanket.
moxxie · 5/15/2014
Thanks so much for all the feedback! I just ordered a TG X-Pert that's backordered till beginning of June, but I'll let everyone know how I like it when it comes in! :)
moxxie · 6/9/2014
Hey guys! Just wanted to give an update... I received my TG xpole and LOVE it! I can definitely tell the difference in grip between the TG and chrome. Even with the out-of-the-box factory slickness I still can tell how grippy this bad boy will be once it's broken in. Xpole just restocked all of their new 2014 poles on their website if anyone is interested! Hope this helps :)
Autumn Sky · 6/10/2014
Enjoy , I 'very had my TG x -pert for over a year now, still love it !