StudioVeena.com Forums Discussions Mechanics of Pole Climb/Pole Squat

  • Mechanics of Pole Climb/Pole Squat

    Posted by jannabaker5545 on January 14, 2018 at 4:36 am

    Hello! I apologize if this a silly question. When doing a pole climb or squats on the pole, does the outside of the heel of the front foot press strongly against the pole in one direction to provide counter-pressure for the inside of the knee to press against the pole in the other direction? I’m relatively new to pole and struggling to master the climb. (The suggestions on another thread to improve grip were very helpful; thank you for all the great advice!)

    Thank you, everyone.

    jannabaker5545 replied 6 years, 2 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • PolarGirl

    Member
    January 14, 2018 at 7:19 am

    Well…yes and no! the front lower leg does pull back into the pole and exert force (like squeezing front to back with the lower legs rather than side to side), but it’s not the front *heel* that is making contact. If you watch many advanced dancers, they often climb with the contact point much higher on the front leg and in fact the heel may even be a significant distance from the pole. It depend on how much they externally rotate in the hip of that leg. So use the meat of your calf and don’t think about what your front heel is doing (except pointing those toes). Hope that helps!

  • jannabaker5545

    Member
    January 14, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    Oh, that does help. Thank you for describing that. I have been trying to do more side to side squeezing with my front leg. Your explanation of squeezing front to back will really help me. And I will pay more attention to the heel position when watching advanced dancers. Thank you, PolarGirl!

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