Training advice?

ellieRox started this discussion · 4/1/2014

Hi everyone!Id love to hear some of your training regimes which you have found most benifical for pole? I feel so torn in many directions with training, do I concentrate on moves, combos, flex trainin, floorwork, dance?? Theres jst so much to learn! Also want to tone up and build strength so have started the odd crossfit class but it leaves me very sore for pole. Im so confused on how to build a routine that will give me a balance of all aspects of fitness but mainly focusing on pole. Should I forget crossfit and use my time2 pole?? Any advice appreciated guys, thanks!

17 replies

Antiquity · 4/1/2014
Hey :). Don't give crossfit up if you enjoy it. I don't know much about it, but in the long run it could build strength in a different way to pole that you could use to your advantage. If it's the fact that it's making you too sore to pole that's making you want to quit, then like all things, eventually, I'm sure your body will becoming accustomed to the new workout and you won't be as sore. It's just probably using different muscles that you're not completely used to using. My regime. well, I can't pole during winter because I only have an outside pole since finishing uni and I can no longer afford pole dancing lessons now that I'm not a part of a university pole dancing society. And so I use the winter months to go to the gym, build stamina and muscle, do workout DVDs like p90x and insanity, and increase my flexibility. As soon as it starts warming up (which is now beginning [unfortunately I currently work 7 days a week and have no time to even put my x-stage up in the garden]) I pole a few times a week when ever I have enough spare time to get a good few hour session in. On days when I won't have the time to pole, I get in flexi training, I go to the gym less in the summer time due to using that time to pole, but I do go maybe once or twice to use the weights. I have no dance experience, apart for doing a few things while at school. I have two left feet and look awkward as hell attempting any type of dance move. I generally avoid that aspect of pole, which I probably shouldn't, but I know there's no helping my two left feet so I focus mainly on tricks, spins and a few arm movements that don't look too bad. Anything involving moving my feet, hands and hips at the same time doesn't really work with me. Unless I'm upside down :P. That's pretty much it, give or take. Maybe don't focus too much on a routine and just do whatever you're feeling like doing that day. Maybe pole, maybe some weight training, maybe just flexi training or include it after a workout. Do what makes you happy. :) xxx
chemgoddess1 · 4/1/2014
Please be very careful with crossfit. More and more studies are coming out about how detrimental it can be to your body.
Antiquity · 4/1/2014
@Chemgoddess1 : My brother's a body builder and he says the same thing about crossfit. I didn't know if that's him just not liking it because it's not what he does, or there being truth behind it. From the little I've seen of it, it does look like rather jerky movements under or with a lot of weight (very scientifically described :P). That can't be good for your bones or muscles in the long run. xx
LoveLasVegas · 4/1/2014
I like Blogilates....there is a Blogilates website and all of the workout videos are alot of fun and are also on you tube. There are monthly workout calendars if you want structure to your workouts or you can just pick from videos that are classified by what part of the body you want to concentrate on. What I really like about it is that you can definitely feel the burn from the moves even in the 5 minute videos ! I pretty much do all of my workouts from that website and here at Veena! I started the Veena 30 day ab challenge today and the April Blogilates calendar as well.
CrazyKosters · 4/1/2014
I have never tried crossfit and can't hardly get myself to a gym. I have only stuck with pole and pole related things. I do pole,floorwork,yoga,pilates etc.. When I am sore or can't/shouldn't pole, I do floorwork and such with stretching to practice and condition etc.. Make sure you give yourself rest days from working out and stretching though.
johnssdeere · 4/1/2014
I love chair work and the added oomph it gives to my butt and legs. Or try a barre type class for cardio and more body toning if you aren't happy with just pole type workouts. I have never done cross fit, but the few girls that I know that tried said it made some of their muscle groups to tight to pole especially in the hips and lower back.
Runemist34 · 4/1/2014
Hey! I know a lot of ladies around here find yoga to be extremely beneficial, for both flexibility and strength training, and it doesn't often leave you sore, so you could look into that. Personally, I've enjoyed Rock climbing (indoors, we have a gym nearby), and found it quite good for overall strength- legs, core, upper body, the works. It's also a fun challenge, and will really boost your callouses! lol! I've also been adding a couple of days at the gym. I'd love to get into chair work... but I need a chair (I literally have no chairs in my house!), so sometime soon that'll happen! I also know that quite a few people find just working on the different aspects of pole has been all they needed. Just learning to balance them out :) I've taken up running, too. See how that goes for pole... it's definitely made me want to work out again!
CrazyKosters · 4/1/2014
Rock climbing sounds fun, there is a place close to my house. I'll have to check it out. Trapeze is good to for something different every once in a while. I took a beginner aerial class once (want to go back) and the silks kicked my butt!
Veena · 4/1/2014
I agree more and more is coming out that cross fit is just not that great for you. Cross training however can be great, and everyone has great suggestions. Just remember you'll see better results and reduce your chance of overuse injury by not working the same muscle groups two days in a row. Rest is just as important as training! I personally like to cross train with yoga or hula hooping!
Mhoney · 4/1/2014
This is cracking me up because it sounds like a familiar question. I was always looking for something non-pole to help me with pole and I asked my instructor what exercise I could do to get my v-inverts looking better and her response (very deadpan) was: do more v-inverts.
ellieRox · 4/2/2014
Brilliant advice from everyone, thanks! Yes ive heard a lot of negative press about crossfit although I have to say the trainers I go to are very strict on form and dont push upping weights until your more than ready. I do enjoy it, I see great results with it but dont know if I should just put more time into pole? I work fulltime (shiftwork)and have a 4yr old so time is precious! I feel I havent progressed in pole in about a year, would purchasing veenas lessons help me get my pole mojo back?
johnssdeere · 4/2/2014
I think we all plateau for a bit with pole, but will progress again! Don't be discouraged.
PolePrincessbrittiejean · 4/2/2014
I would most definitely say purchasing Veena's lesson could help with that pole mojo!
dustbunny · 4/2/2014
The bad things I have heard coming out about crossfit are mostly (imho) trainer based rather than the training itself. And i don't care if they're "certified" or not. There are great fitness pros without certs and very poor ones with them. If you have a good trainer that focuses on form and proper body mechanics over weight increases or reps than you (at least in theory) should be fine. Also be aware of your own body and if any exercise hurts or doesn't look right for your body don't let any one force you into it. I think the same theory applies to pole (or any sport), if your instructor tells you to do a butterfly when you can barely hold an inverted crucifix you are being set up for not only failure but the potential for serious injury. And yes get V's lessons they are awesome!
CrazyKosters · 4/3/2014
Well said Dustbunny!
byrdgrrl · 4/3/2014
I like rope climbing as an additional excercise. I use both a thick old-school gym rope (like in this article: http://www.apexmovement.com/blog/4-reasons-to-climb-rope/ ) with just my body and a rock climbing rope with a harness and metal ascenders to climb (jugging, in rock climber parlance). The gym rope is best for working on my grip, but even climbing with ascenders, I still have to use my arms, legs and core to progress up the rope. Plus, rope climbing is fun, so it makes me want to do it.
Rachel Osborne · 4/4/2014
To be honest I think the best training is the training activity you enjoy most. Because then you are motivated to actually do it. I've got a weights bench and bar bells etc at home gathering dust because it bored me. Whereas I love dance and yoga and Pilates and can fit in weights into a quick highly efficient full body/body weight resistance/HIIT DVD workout like Jillian Michaels done at home. I know weight training is great but I'm not interested enough to focus on it. Poling does it for me because its weight training plus flexibility plus dance. And I get to whizz about and go upside down as a bonus!