What should be the standard size pole?

LizzyLiz810 started this discussion · 11/10/2011

What size do u think should be the standard? Im thinking 2inch (50mm) because once you learn on that, u can dance on pretty much anything. If you start with a smaller pole, its often more challenging to do it on a bigger one. Plus, usually over 10 feet, u cant install the skinnier poles because there would be too much flex and not as safe. I prefer the 1.75(45mm), but i am happy i learned on the 2inch. It makes going on the 1.75 feel like a piece of cake. Your thoughts?

18 replies

lucifairy · 11/10/2011
Im with you both, the 45 is waay easier on the hands.. Its easier to practise on both though, when i started i learned on a 45 and i found i really struggled on a 50 and had to completely start all the moves again whereas now i can swap between them with ease what do you find with the 45s and other grip though? i find teddys and things like hip holds harden on a 45 than a 50 :S
PaulettePoles · 11/10/2011
I have a 45 at home and 50 at studio. I was finding I could do all the hand grips at home and all the leg grips at the studio. Just now getting them evened up! I was surprised what a difference the 50 made on my legs! I could hardly leg hang at home and in the studio was doing holly drop! lol. Glad I learned on both though. Helped me get some moves in both directions earlier than I would have w just 1 size.
LizzyLiz810 · 11/10/2011
At my studio i have all 2inch(50mm) poles, so now when i go to other studios with the skinnier poles, everything is super easy, so i really think studios should always have 2inch poles. The reason they cant disappear is that they are safer for higher ceiling heights. Over 10 feet, there will be too much flex with the skinnier one. Im not sure how australia does it with the 38mm...does anyone know???
Dancing Paws · 11/10/2011
I'm glad I learned on a 50mm too, even though I am 5'2" with tiny hands. It's way hard to grip a 50mm for me, but I managed somehow. My fat old thighs love the 50mm though.
Danielle Tillie · 11/10/2011
I pretty much love the 45 for everything. The 50mm feel almost cumbersome, they're so thick. I have trouble with hand grips, twisted moves (like twisted balerina and allegra), and the marley. I love my 45 at home and just tolerate the 50's at the studio. It's good that I've gotten more experience on the 50, but I will always prefer a 45.
trickivix · 11/13/2011
Hey Lizzy, I'm in Australia and the studio I go to only have 50mm poles. The reason they chose to have only 50mm poles is because it's the best way to gain wrist strength. Once you build up the strength on a 50mm pole you can use any pole. And also because the thicker poles are better for your legs to grip on, and I guess that's pretty important because you're generally upside down when you are holding on with your legs... So I reckon 50mm should definitely be the standard pole size... for learning anyway...
FreeTheSun · 11/13/2011
@Lizzy - Bobbi's is pretty much the only one that uses Brass 38s, most of the others use 50s. I donno about the flexing issue. They don't seem to have problems, so they must have compensated for it somehow.
Cinara · 11/14/2011
I've been on 10ft-ish 38mm poles, and they do have a bit of "give" in them. You only notice it if you "throw" yourself into a spin, or try to invert using momentum instead of strength. So that's kind of useful for building correct technique. The first time people try them after the thicker poles the give feels and sounds alarming, but once you realise it's normal it becomes a good tool for checking technique. They're fine for my holly drops (if harder to grip!) but I wonder about some of the extreme Chinese pole stuff (not that that gets taught at Bobbi's). Maybe the give would be useful - like a vertical trampoline. Another thing to keep in mind about Bobbi's 38mm poles is that the poles are almost always on spinning mode even in beginners (the flex in the poles actually slows down their spinning rate, which is handy). So with the extra challenge of gripping a spinning pole, narrow is much easier. Personally, I think 45mm is a good compromise in general, but I have to say I look forward to practicing on the 38s more than other poles because I know I can do the best I can and not fear losing my grip. They're safe and comforting. And because I have sweaty hands and relatively weaker hand grip, it becomes frustrating to know the only thing stopping me is some arbitrary pole thickness. But I guess people with thin or weak thighs feel the same way about the narrow poles! Having said that, I've always found that the type of metal makes much more difference than the thickness.
mikkixx · 11/15/2011
I'm from Bobbi's so of course I'm going to say 38 mm brass 😀 I have a 42 mm X-Pole at home and it just feels... big. It's nice for me because I have small hands, but I agree with those who said thicker gives a more secure (or at least, safer feeling) leg grip - I got things like CAR at home first. The people selling the 38 mm R-Pole often quote a physiotherapist (Dr Stephen Deadman - apparently he judged Miss Pole Dance UK 2009) who endorsed their pole: Based on my experience as a registered osteopath and chartered physiotherapist the 38mm pole as adverse to the 50mm is a safer pole because of less physiological and biomechanical stresses and strains which are placed upon the user’s carpal row of bones and ligaments in the wrist where the 38mm pole offers a safer grip. If you have a safer hand grip it takes less time to build up your core strength without picking up minor injuries, which is essential to this sport and your personal fitness. It would be nice to know what more physios think! I personally think it mainly depends on individual hand/thigh size...
nymphdancer · 11/15/2011
I'm a 50mm girl. If all there was in this world were 38's I would most likely give up pole because I would never feel safe with any leg grips. I don't feel secure doing most things on a 45 they are just too small for my bowed legs.
vickiezoo · 11/16/2011
Just to throw this into the ring, x pole are bringing out a 40mm chrome x pert pole on 1st week in December and 45mm brass too. I prefer a 45 but have worked with 50's and 38's (R pole)
LizzyLiz810 · 11/16/2011
So are the 40mm targeted for people at home? I know that over 11ft, there are problems installing skinnier poles like that for studios.
amy · 11/16/2011
45mm xpoles have been tested safely up to 13 feet. it's less about the diameter of the pole than it's construction; i believe that bobbi's 38mm poles are able to go so high safely because they have a solid steel or secondary tube steel insert for strength.
Dancing Paws · 11/16/2011
The 40mm aren't in the US yet, but they are "thinking about it..."
Veena · 11/17/2011
I would like to see the 45mm be standard. Its a good in between size. My favorite pole is my 14 1/2 foot 45mm, X pole. Titanium gold. I can get more out of my "twisted" or leg Splits moves on a 38mm pole and would love to have one of those as well. I find when I work on my 50mm my hands elbows and shoulders bother me more. Seems like the smaller diameter makes it easier for me to keep everything as neutral as possible. Power moves like flag inverts ect are easier on the larger 50mm pole for me though. 🌸
Dancing Paws · 11/17/2011
My 45 should be here soon (YAY!) I am hoping since I have chunker thighs, that the leg grip won't be too bad of an adjustment (going from a 50mm.) I couldn't stand struggling to try to grip the 50mm anymore with my hands, especially since I wanna try to move onto harder moves which require my hands more (I'm 5'2", so my hands are fairly small.) I think for a studio, if it's SAFE TO DO SO, it would be great to offer several pole sizes for the different sized hands. Honestly, it is hard for someone with my hand size to grip a 50mm. My middle finger and thumb have about a 3/4 inch gap between them when I put my hands around the pole. With the 45mm, my middle and thumb seem to just touch. I would like to see the 40mm's and 48mms offered in the US though. I still think the 45s are too big for us shorties.
Dancing Paws · 11/17/2011
38, not 48, sorry.
Charley · 11/17/2011
Being someone with smaller hands I typically prefer the 45mm to the 50. With that being said I still try to maintain practice on both. I think 50 is still overall better for beginners because it increases grip strength and basic climbs and sits are easier on the thicker pole. One of the studios I work at has both 45's and 50's and I find students go between the 2 depending on what they are working on. I own 2 50's and 3 45's at the moment and 45 is the one that's up in my pole room. When I get it together I plan to have a 50 and a 45 in my basement so I can go between the two poles. I like 45's for comepetitions though - they are much easier for most people I feel. I know leg hangs suck on a 45 but there are so many variations of hangs and laybacks so I think the ease of hand grip outweighs the difficulty of laybacks or hangs.