What do you use grip for?

PennyGirl started this discussion · 10/7/2010

Okay, so I noticed at the USPDF EVERY performer used grip on their pole. I have never seen anyone directly apply grip aid to a pole. Does everyone put grip on their poles before using them? I have only ever put grip on my hands because I have the powder mighty grip which I kind of think is crap but that's neither here nor there. In any case I was curious exactly what and how everyone uses their grip aid and which ones you all like best. I've seen people put it between their legs, on their hands over the shoulder and now directly to the pole. Should I use grip? How can you do any spins if you are all covered in grip aid? Is it possible to do a whole routine without grip with inverts? I checked the forum and couldn't find anything about grip aids..other than peoples faves but not really how exactly people use it. So, let me know what you think. How do you use yours?

40 replies

Kobajo84 · 10/7/2010
I have never used a grip aid. I use just windex and that alone produces adequate grip for me. I also have a lil mynx that I will use because its powder coated and is grippier when my chrome is too slick. I know its not the answer you were looking for but I wanted to throw my 2 cents in. 😉 I'm interested in seeing everyones answers to this topic too.
Danielle Tillie · 10/7/2010
I never used grip aid until about a month ago, and even now I only use it sparingly. I'd like to be able to do my inverted tricks anywhere with just my normal hands, lol. It takes patience, but my hands and I have a greater understanding now. I will use my grip aid (iTac2) when I'm working on something where my hands really need to stick hard. The good thing about iTac is that it'll soften up when you want to spin. So I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything with this grip aid. I've only put it on my hands but I know that Karol Helms uses it on other common points of contact on her body too. The first time I saw someone use grip aid on the pole itself was watching Jungle Cat slather Dry Hands all over a pole, and then slathering it all over himself too. I did giggle a bit at first... it looked funny, all of that white goop all over everything! But after seeing his rigorous and quickly spinning routine, I can see why he took the extra steps. It's all about what you intend to do, and how much extra grip your body may need. I suggest trying to use little grip aid, and really gauge when you think you actually NEED it.
hookedonpole · 10/7/2010
pennygirl, I've tried SO many grip aids for my sweaty hands and lil mynx stainless steel. None of which I bought again. I finally got an xpert TG few weeks ago and am having better practices. Even though my hands tend to sweat I am able to get more done. I just ordered some grip spray made by a gal at aerial empowerment. She has a post about it here somewhere. Although, due to it being mixed with alcohol, she could not ship it pre-mixed. She sent me powder mixture with how to mix. I am so anxious to try it, although now that I have the TG don't know if I'll have need for it. I wish I could have tried it on ss pole before taking it down. Also, don't know if can be on pole for spins. I've tried grip aid on the pole, my hands, between legs; tried shaving gel, etc. I didn't have any luck. I had decent practices on the ss when weather/pole cooperated which was few and far between! So the competitors used grip aids during competing, hmmm Did they put on pole, hands, where? Did you find out what was used? I often wondered what performers do with slippery pole/hands. I also probably didn't give you any answers 🤔
luvlee · 10/7/2010
I love grip aid but don't find myself using it unless I am trying a new move or unless I am sweating and sliding terribly. I like Mighty Grip when I am needing a good grip to get a move without sliding down to quickly. I can do the moves without the grip aid as well. I just sometimes slide faster. I don't think it hinders the leaniing process. Try it with it and with out it. If I am breaking into a terrible sweat, I use a special formula made by a friend of mine on here called Gription. I love it. It is made by chemgodess on here. Also, If you are experiencing issues and you have a chrome pole, clean it with alcohol vs windex. That helps ALOT!!!!
JBStarryEyedGirl · 10/7/2010
I use mighty grip every time I pole. I put a good amount on my hands, only the palms, but not my fingers. That way I can grip without having any issues with spins, I also realized when I put it on my fingers I'm more prone to sliding and twisting my fingers. I also have put it on my calves for more grip when trying one leg inverts. I don't need it between the knees or elbows, for some reason I grip just fine. I used to wipe my pole between moves, but sometimes I think it works better when I leave some trace grip on the pole. I would very much like to try some other grip aids. Anyone think iTac2 is strong enough? I'd like to try 3 or 4 possibly, I feel like my hands are always super sweaty, even if I'm not hot. I think your best bet is to experiment a bit and see what works for you. And if anyone has answers for me about iTac I appreciate it.
chemgoddess1 · 10/7/2010
Thanks Luvlee 😳 I do not use grip aid much unless I am learning a new move. Iguana mount was one because every time I put my head down my hands would start to sweat and that is one move where you don't want to lose your grip! I also use it sometimes on my legs just because my shins sweat a lot when I am dancing and knee holds get difficult for me. As for competitions...I think the lights on stage on top of performance jitters would turn me into a pool of dew. I would rather be slathered in grip aid than fly off the pole.
amy · 10/7/2010
from my little bit of experience, during competition or performances, the poles rarely truly get warmed up, and your body is rarely as warm as it gets during practice or class, so if you don't put grip on the pole or yourself, you just don't stick. i never use grip during practice (unless i'm learning something brand new and very difficult) but i use it during performances-- on the pole, and only above 6' so that i can still do spins.
Charley · 10/7/2010
What Amy said 😂 The poles are never really warm at comp and the grip on the pole also helped my hands stay drier. I have very sweaty hands and without grip poling is impossible. I actually took a lot of more advanced work out of my original uspdf routine because I was afraid of the poles and what the grip might be like. I always pole with atleast antiperspirant on, I sweat that is something I cannot sure so I use tite grip religiously. If for some reason I need more griping power I use some Grrrip lotion. I also look at it this way - gymnasts don't practice with out chalk so why I should I work without antiperspirant. I have tried grippier aids like Itac and I so hate saying this but those aids just turn to slipperiness for me. I was scared someone before me would be using Firm Grip or Itac, lol! I had my pole prepped with Grrrip, covered my body with Grrrip and used tite grip on my hands to avoid weat and my poles were okay. Not the best but I didn't have any slippy problems. 😁 As part of USPDF training I would actually only runthrough my routines cold (i.e having only minimal warm ups and stretching.) So that I could replicate the scenario I would be in. I even poled in a cold house so my pole wouldn't warm up so I could get a feel for how the grip, the pole and my body would work under those circumstances.
PennyGirl · 10/7/2010
It's oka Koba, I was at first curious just to see what type of responses and then also to see what would work best for me. I have so many days when I can't do a darned thing.. it really gets on my nerves. I feel like I am ALWAYS slipping. (I have a chrome expert) I've never tried windex though, I've only used alcohol. what kind of pole do you have? I have never used a grip aid. I use just windex and that alone produces adequate grip for me. I also have a lil mynx that I will use because its powder coated and is grippier when my chrome is too slick. I know its not the answer you were looking for but I wanted to throw my 2 cents in. 😉 I'm interested in seeing everyones answers to this topic too.
PennyGirl · 10/7/2010
I kind of wanted to be like you but then I realized that I slip all over the place. It's not sweaty palms because my hands are usually pretty dry. (sometimes ashy and too dry even) I wanted to learn how to do all spins and inverts without grip, but that is turning out to be more of a hindrance than anything. I haven't tried spin yet. I think I'm a frady cat at this pooint becuase I can't stick on static lol! Thanks for the advice! I never used grip aid until about a month ago, and even now I only use it sparingly. I'd like to be able to do my inverted tricks anywhere with just my normal hands, lol. It takes patience, but my hands and I have a greater understanding now. I will use my grip aid (iTac2) when I'm working on something where my hands really need to stick hard. The good thing about iTac is that it'll soften up when you want to spin. So I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything with this grip aid. I've only put it on my hands but I know that Karol Helms uses it on other common points of contact on her body too. The first time I saw someone use grip aid on the pole itself was watching Jungle Cat slather Dry Hands all over a pole, and then slathering it all over himself too. I did giggle a bit at first... it looked funny, all of that white goop all over everything! But after seeing his rigorous and quickly spinning routine, I can see why he took the extra steps. It's all about what you intend to do, and how much extra grip your body may need. I suggest trying to use little grip aid, and really gauge when you think you actually NEED it.
PennyGirl · 10/7/2010
thanks, I have always used alcohol on my chrome so that's a good thing. I will keep the name of that grip in mind if I find the need to change. I just ordered some dry hands because it's popular but I don't know if I will like it or how I will use it just yet. thanks for the advice! 🙂 I love grip aid but don't find myself using it unless I am trying a new move or unless I am sweating and sliding terribly. I like Mighty Grip when I am needing a good grip to get a move without sliding down to quickly. I can do the moves without the grip aid as well. I just sometimes slide faster. I don't think it hinders the leaniing process. Try it with it and with out it. If I am breaking into a terrible sweat, I use a special formula made by a friend of mine on here called Gription. I love it. It is made by chemgodess on here. Also, If you are experiencing issues and you have a chrome pole, clean it with alcohol vs windex. That helps ALOT!!!!
PennyGirl · 10/7/2010
Yes Chem that made sense...when one of the girls explained how she watched jungle cats performance she understood the need to slather grip on the pole. I can honestly say I am not doing anything too rigorous at this point, but when I practice say my caterpillar I just slide slowly until I'm on the floor...it's quite sad actually. Thanks Luvlee 😳 I do not use grip aid much unless I am learning a new move. Iguana mount was one because every time I put my head down my hands would start to sweat and that is one move where you don't want to lose your grip! I also use it sometimes on my legs just because my shins sweat a lot when I am dancing and knee holds get difficult for me. As for competitions...I think the lights on stage on top of performance jitters would turn me into a pool of dew. I would rather be slathered in grip aid than fly off the pole.
PennyGirl · 10/7/2010
Ha ha charley, you're so cute "what she said" I guess that makes sense. My livingroom is always colder than the rest of the house and that's where my pole is so it's always cold. I sometimes put the mighty grip on when I try to practice inverts but sometimes I feel like I'm cheating. You make a really good point when you say that gymnasts don't work without chalk, I think I'm totally with you on that one. I never thought about antiperspirant though, mostly because I'm not doing any under arm grips yet. So I use grip when I try the caterpillar and the aysha... well you saw me totally crush poor rena trying to do my aysha which was highly embarrassing! In any case since I got home I have been practicing the caterpillar and it seems that I just slide down slowly almost riding the pole until I am basically head to floor lol! So I really wondered if it was normal to put so much grip on my body and the pole. I was really shocked to see it at the USPDF. You also make a really great point about the poles never getting warm at the comp. I think the only action they got was from the pole cleaners...poor lonely poles! Anyway, thanks for the advice charlie oh and by the way, I'm still working on that hip roll and exaggerated body roll. When I feel comfortable I will post a vid. YAY! 😀 What Amy said 😂 The poles are never really warm at comp and the grip on the pole also helped my hands stay drier. I have very sweaty hands and without grip poling is impossible. I actually took a lot of more advanced work out of my original uspdf routine because I was afraid of the poles and what the grip might be like. I always pole with atleast antiperspirant on, I sweat that is something I cannot sure so I use tite grip religiously. If for some reason I need more griping power I use some Grrrip lotion. I also look at it this way - gymnasts don't practice with out chalk so why I should I work without antiperspirant. I have tried grippier aids like Itac and I so hate saying this but those aids just turn to slipperiness for me. I was scared someone before me would be using Firm Grip or Itac, lol! I had my pole prepped with Grrrip, covered my body with Grrrip and used tite grip on my hands to avoid weat and my poles were okay. Not the best but I didn't have any slippy problems. 😁 As part of USPDF training I would actually only runthrough my routines cold (i.e having only minimal warm ups and stretching.) So that I could replicate the scenario I would be in. I even poled in a cold house so my pole wouldn't warm up so I could get a feel for how the grip, the pole and my body would work under those circumstances.
mizvix · 10/7/2010
i was interested to see they put grip on the poles at uspdf! i put tite grip directly on the pole if i'm doing a full routine or performance (for sequence practice and move practice i try not to use anything) and i put it on my hands too. I use gorilla grip on my legs and arms. I really found tite grip worked well on the pole when it had a while to dry off. In fact, i actually ended up more bruised because my grip improved so much and i get stuck on the pole doing the SM bounce/hop, which makes it look like im just flailing my legs!!! For people worried about spins... i practice on brass but had to perform on chrome so i had the pole plastered and was still able to complete spins with good rotation and speed, and was able to complete my full routine with no slipping! (i'm not a great spinner but even my teacher said they had really improved now that i was confident i wasn't going to fly off into the wall!) im debating whether to enter a comp, but you aren't allowed to prep the pole with any grip and they will be cleaned between each performance. i know that on chrome my chances of gripping with my body (prepped with GG), are reduced but very worried about hands 😨
JenLFG · 10/8/2010
first off, i ALWAYS start off without grip aid 🤸 but, i use grip aid when it too hot or humid here, i live in GA USA, the south is hot & humid though the summer months so it is just now getting to where i can pole without it again daily. sometimes i like to use grip aid or mighty grip gloves when i am using spin mode, instead of grip aid, just because it makes me feel more secure trying new stuff. when i use it, i usually put a little on my inner thighs & behind my knees & sometimes on my inner elbows && then i wipe most of it off my hands with rubbing alcohol, this allows me to spin freely & still have a little extra grip 🥂 i have a stainless steel pole. i have mighty grip & iTac2... i personally like the iTac2 better but it all depends on your skin type & pole texture & climate. i have found if you contact grip aid companies a lot of them will send you a sample so you may want to try that before you spend $20 on something that may or may not work for you 😉 good luck 🌸
witheringtone · 10/9/2010
Sadly, for someone who loves the pole so much I have had the misfortune of being born with hyperhidrosis. I sweat all the time, for no reason, even when I am cold. Add in the fact that I am doing a workout/dancing, even worse. I was recommened Drysol by my doctor and I love it. I no longer have to wear dark shirts!! However, I still had a problem with other parts of the body sweating (hands, knee pit) when dancing. I use mighty grip gloves when practing new inverts or complicated tricks just in case I get up there and my hands are sweaty. I have tried mighty grip powder for in class, but not a fan of it. I just could not spin as good and I sweated through it in 10 mins. I finally asked my doctor and she said that the Drysol was safe to use on my hands and knee pits, and it works great. It will dry your hands out though!!! What I do is use the Drysol, then early morning of the day when I will practice I put coconut oil (small amount) on my hands and they are perfect. Coconut oil leaves enough moisture on your hands but not slick like most lotions do. Everyone is different though, try it if you like.
Bellz · 10/9/2010
I drygrip the pole when I perform. And my thighs, knees, calves, hands...ect. 🙂 Otherwise, just my hands.
EvaRut · 10/10/2010
I usually have good hand grip. But I have always stuggled with being able to get a good grip with my legs and sometimes other body parts because my skin is usually dry and its really frustrating. I like to use moisturiser about 1 or 2 hours before practice because that improves my grip and I tried Itac2 about 2 months ago. The first grip aid I tried ever and I am addicted! 😛 I put it on my legs, shins, calves, thighs and behind knees. Somtimes my hands, stomach and arms and armpits.
Joanna · 10/11/2010
I know it sounds weird, but at Bobbi's in Perth, nearly everyone uses shaving cream or gel on their legs. I like the cream, but others swear by the gel. Then most girisl use dry hands or tite grip. I put some shaving cream on my hands before my Dry Hands as well.
nicholerexha · 1/2/2012
I'm having a terrible problem with having grip... I can't even sit with my thighs because i slide... it is the most ffrustrating thing in the world. . .Where can i find grip???? Do i have to get it online???
jade s · 1/2/2012
I think a lot of it depends on whether you dry or more on the sweaty side. I have super dry skin, which is kind of like throwing a cotton ball at the pole and hoping it will stick. I realized the alcohol was just making that worse. Someone posted on here about using white distilled vinegar, and that seems to help me a lot. I just spray it on my towel and wipe my hands with it. Granted, it doesn't smell very well... If i feel like i need a little extra help, i'll use some spray grip very lightly. I use shaving gel on my legs and torso. I put it on about 30 minutes before I really start getting on the pole. I usually only need to use something if I'm on chrome or stainless. If I'm on my powder coated pole I don't usually need to use anything.
Onahnie · 1/2/2012
i rarely ever use grip aids (none@ home anyway-chrome xpert). @ the studio,I've occasionally used mighty grip or dry hands if learning a brand new move (i think chrome xperts as well)--I dont often have a problem with grip at thestudio (very warm pole and body), but mayget nervous trying new moves, especially inverts. I "slide" more @ home, but think that's more due to the cold and new pole. I ONLY use grip on my hands, if needed, at the studio , for learning-I made the mistake of putting it between my thighs when we were learning the crucifix and pole climb-it felt like my skin was being ripped off my thighs.
Dancing Paws · 1/2/2012
nicholerexha - LIke Jade said, it depends on whether you are sweaty or dry. Stuff you don' need to buy online are: a) for dry body grip issues, corn huskers lotion. It is at walmart for sure. Just slather it on really good all over your body. It makes you sticky. b) for sweaty hands, distilled vinegar. It is in the cleaning section of the grocery store. Spray it on your hands. It should help with the sweating. If those don't work then you can go online and buy itac for your points of contact (x pole sells it), dry hands (for sweaty hand issues), and pole is another girls like (although I find it to be similar to corn huskers lotion.) Something you should get into the habit of doing everyday is putting lotion on after you shower, but not oil based lotion. Go to walmart, or some other pharmacy and get "Vaseline: total moisture conditioning" lotion. Walmart has a little sample bottle of it for less than a dollar. Put it all over your body where you would grip on the pole (legs, arms, tummy, hips, arpits, etc.) It sounds counter intuitive, but hydrted skin grips better, so you need to lotion. Glycerin based lotions help keep your skin hydrated, and this one was recommended to me by a pole instructor. It has worked really well (and it is so much cheaper than poly physics lotion.)
Danielle Tillie · 1/3/2012
Just throwing in a shout out for Tite Grip. It's my favorite solution for sweaty hands. You don't have to reapply like Dry Hands. The new formula smells of lavender. It's sold online and they sell it at Hustler too. It might even be sold at some sporting goods stores. Also I agree that healthily moisturized skin grips wonderfully!
lucifairy · 1/3/2012
I only use grip in the winter when my pole refuses point blank to warm up no matter what i do to it! I find having a bath the night before i pole and then using body butter on my legs works for me and gets my legs nice and sticky. I also use powergrip. Its only £3 a pot in the UK but omg it works wonders, its hell to get off your hands when youve finished tho..your fingers stick together!!!

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