Why does poling make me feel sick?

Juicy J started this discussion · 1/3/2011

Hi all! Hope you had a happy and safe new year! I finally got on my pole this evening after about a month of NOT doing ANY serious pole work as I caught a cold just before the term ended at my pole studio. Since then, I had not done any serious pole work, maybe just mucked around with a few spins here and there and a few pole climbs. I decided to get on the pole and do some tricks and go over some stuff I've learn in my advanced class before the term commences. About 30-45mins into my practise sesh, I felt so dizzy and sick that I had to stop. I wasn't doing any spins but just inverts and a lot of upside down holds like basic split grip butterfly, empress (gemini?), mistress (scorpio?) and venus (CKR), bow and arrow and attempted to do a few Vs and pencil. I usually feel more sick/dizzy whenever I practise at home than I do when I'm at the studio and I'm wondering why I feel this way? I'm not spinning but maybe it's the upside down motion that's making my head and stomach spin? I really wanted to continue but at the same time felt so unwell and exhausted that I thought I should stop. I wasn't dancing on a full stomach either as I had eaten several hours prior. Does anyone also experience this as well? Any tips on how I can combat this problem when I pole at home so I can keep going and not feel demotivated? By the way, for those who've read Veena's post on using dishwashing gloves as a cheap grip alternative, THEY WORK A TREAT!!! 😀 I think that's what also motivated me to get back on the pole too! The only downside is that I get real sweaty hands, so the glove stuck on like there was NO tomorrow and I had sweat dripping out of the gloves every now and then. YUCK! Very happy with that cheap grip alternative, Veena! Thank you so much!🥂

3 replies

Veena · 1/3/2011
Hmmmm. Is it warmer in your home, could you be getting to hot? If I haven't eatten a good high carb snack 30mins to an hr before I dance I will sometimes get sick.
Danielle Tillie · 1/3/2011
Yes this has happened to me too, and I've found out that it is because I did not eat soon enough prior to poling. Like Veena said, you should eat a snack before poling. I recommend a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread! That's my favorite before-poling treat. Also make sure you are thoroughly hydrated and continue to drink water or something with electrolytes throughout your practice. Poling does make us healthier, but we also have to fuel our bodies for it appropriately to get the best effect. I hope this works for you, because getting sick while trying to enjoy yourself with the pole is so not fun, this I know! 😉
Juicy J · 1/4/2011
Wow, I never thought about eating a snack an hour prior to poling! I thought your stomach would need time to digest it fully before poling! I could give that a try. Veena, I think you may be right about overheating. It's currently summer here in Sydney although yesterday the weather was rainy and low 20s. I had my fan blasting, not at the pole but in another direction and I think it could be due to me overheating too quickly. I did look redder than usual and very out of breath! Will keep those tips in mind, ladies! Thanks heaps!