XPole STILL slippery after I've done tons of cleaning!

NonFlexy started this discussion · 4/22/2013

I am at the end of my rope with my xpole - I have a 45mm chrome I got in December. It was slippery to begin with, which is expected. I cleaned it with alcohol and windex, it didn't help. I've tried to pole on it more to break it in, but because its SO slippery, I feel like I can't do anything safely. As a last resort, I took the pole down and steamed it with my clothes iron, just as Veena does in her video. Put the pole back up, a day later, it is still insanely slippery. I don't think its the cold weather, our house indoors is very warm. What can I do!? I am sooo frustrated with my xpole right now, and wish I had gone with a powder coated lil mynx instead

7 replies

Lyme Lyte · 4/22/2013
I am w u...I bought an x...but also have a LM and a brass. The X is slick, but I am just going to have to learn to deal w it since I would like to perform someday..... :(
luvlee · 4/23/2013
A lot of people don't realize that your grip becomes stronger once you work on chrome. Especially if you are use to a stickier pole like powder coated or PS brass. It is not a bad thing. Just a thing. I hated my chrome at first. Love it now and have no grip issues because I have a nice strong grip on any pole. I see ladies that practice in studios with only brass slide a lot at competitions. Something to think about. Itac is great for chrome. I put it right in my pole and rub it down w my hands. I only recommend doing this for spin mode though.
luvlee · 4/23/2013
Also don't under estimate the power of grip aids. I'd you are to dry you will slip. If you are sweaty you will slip. Figure out if you are slipping due to sweat or dry skin. There are grip aids for both issues.
portableninja · 4/23/2013
Yes, be sure that you're actually slipping because of sweat and not from your skin being too dry. That was hard for me to understand. With chrome (and steel, to a lesser extent) I needed a layer of moisture on my skin in order to stick. Too much was a problem, but so was not enough. Use water based lotions on your non pole days, or try poling immediately after a shower to see if that helps.
Veena · 4/23/2013
Try steaming new chrome poles several times, right before dancing works best. I slip the most on chrome and Stainless steel, so for me to grip, BOTH the pole AND my skin/body has to be very warm.
Dancing Paws · 4/23/2013
Cleaning will take off the goop from manufacturing, but the pole still needs time to become conditioned. It should become grippy over time, but it will take a lot of patience and use to get there. Keep using it. It should get better!
pegasusaerialfitness · 4/24/2013
If my skin isn't mosterized I will slip al day long...it's a daily thing. I have to make sure I use pole physics daily ( a little bit) on my legs, and before I pole...and sometimes I even then have to put some dry hands on my points of contact. And before I pole I use a hot damp towel and scrub and dry my legs...then .. Some jumping jacks.. It sounds like your pole is clean, maybe your getting something on your body that is leaving a residue on your skin. I use a special body wash too...doesn't leave a residue, and wash all the hair conditioner that slides down the back of my legs in the shower. I also used to use oil in my hair, but it would get on the pole..so had to stop that.. I love my chrome, it's the perfect grippy for me. I was able to make it really grippy right away. Didn't need to break it in....just clean it and make sure my skin was right.