[Jenn]

I don’t think it’s the pole or the environment, if your husband can use it with no problems, then it’s probably the moisture in your hands causing all the wet feel. I have super sweaty hands myself and have struggled with this for 3 yrs. I started on a chrome pole, then bought a TG pole, eventually ending with brass. Although the situation got better which each pole, I still have issues with my sweaty hands. I tried Tite Grip, Dry Hands, iTac, Firm Grip and Grrip. My best bet is to apply the Tite Grip first and then layer Dry Hands on top. There are still days when I just can’t grip well enough to do a RG. You might have to experiment with different grip aides until you find one or two that work for you. Good luck!

[Jenn]

I used to find the armpit hold extremely painful. One thing I would do to help, is try to condition my underarm area a bit. I would stand next to my pole and cross my arm around it, then slide down to the floor, holding the pole tightly in my underarm area. After a couple days of doing this, I was able to hold my teddy a lot longer.

[Jenn]

I forgot to ask: can the faded sections (I think they are the A & B poles) be replaced if/when the titanium fades? And is it very expensive to do so?

I really wish I could make up my mind about what pole finish would be better for me. I have hyperhydrosis so I can be clammy at best and uber sweaty at worst. Titanium and brass would probably be a better fit than chrome or stainless, but it’s so hard to make the final decision… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

I replaced the faded sections on mine, and it cost me $160 for new A and B poles. But this was the old style poles that screwed together so now the cost may be different. I was told by X-pole that the color fade did not alter the grippiness and I personally never noticed a difference in grip. I think brass is definitely the best as far as grippiness, but the TG came in a very close 2nd and was easier to care for then brass. I think either one will be good for you, but you just need to figure out which brand of pole you prefer. Which brass pole are you looking to buy?

[Jenn]

Stellarmotion does that combo! He was working on it right before the competition. I haven’t seen anyone else do it yet. He’s on this site too, if you want to send him a message to see if he’ll videotape it for you.

[Jenn]

Hmmm… I’ll have to give it a try next time I practice… I’ll let you know if your trick works for me! xx

[Jenn]

Wow, they are tricky little suckers aren’t they?? Had me fooled too! I bought my x-pole on Ebay years ago, but that was before all of these fake ones were everywhere. There are legitimate sellers on Ebay. But the Ebay dealers will charge you the same amount of $$ that X-pole charges direct, although the shipping may be cheaper.If you are unsure of one, you can contact X-pole and they will let you know if it is/is not a legitimate dealer.

[Jenn]

Okay here was my attempt at his move…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unnzUMFT8V0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think the leg switch at the end is a matter of preference, I have seen some with their shin against the pole and others with their leg wrapped around. I am having issues with grabbing my free leg though… is there a trick to that, or am I just not flexible enough? tips/advice appreciated!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Jenn]

Mine faded after only a few months of use. Only the areas where I gripped the most faded, so like around where I gripped to spin and the middle where I invert… so the pole kinda had a striped appearance. Not noticeable in video, but you could definitely see it in daylight. I have a brass pole now, and I love it! I don’t see how you could really bend it, but with all the poles, I would be careful about scratches.

[Jenn]

Okay, here was his response, I haven’t tried it yet, I’ll have to reverse everything because I am a lefty, but his directions seems pretty clear cut. Will let you know when he posts a video. Here is what he wrote…

It’s probably going to be next week before I’m on a pole again (I don’t have my own) so I’ll try to explain & then get video next week. I hope regional names aren’t too much of a problem with explaining lol.

For simplicity’s sake I’m going to use right and left as I do the trick but you can reverse it if it’s the wrong side for you.

Do you know how you throw your hips out in front (the pole kind of be in your right armpit) of the pole to do a crucifix or ship’s mast? Do that but go a bit further. Instead of stopping with the pole on your tailbone twist your hips so that your LEFT leg can wrap around the pole.

At this point the pole is on the inside of your left leg and in your right armpit. I usually continue wrapping my leg around so that my foot is back on the other side again but you don’t have to.

Right hand goes back behind you to grab your right foot, pose and you’re golden!

Ohh, and I invited him to join us here, so maybe he’ll stop by.

[Jenn]

I recently bought some silks from the studio where I take lessons, but haven’t got the hardware yet… Here is a website that I found, that sells silks and hardware which is pretty reasonably priced…
http://aerialrevolution.com/equipment.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What you’ll need to hang your fabric will depend on what structure you are hanging it from, how sturdy it is, how much weight can it hold, how much force can it withstand from sudden drops, etc. Here is a good resource which will help you to figure out what you need, http://community.simplycircus.com/tutorials/aerial/aerial_arts_faq.htm#Rigging" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I would recommend you speak to a professional rigger before you try to install the apparatus yourself however. It can be very dangerous, if installed improperly.

[Jenn]

Ok, I just noticed that Hanka (gymmeke) does it pretty nicely in her most recent YT vid. It’s from about 2:57-3:02 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov2JKtMwb40

Wow, that wasn’t exactly what I was thinking.. but that looks wicked. Now
I think I want to do that too!! Thanks for the link/advice.

Amyxshi, I was hopin’ someone here could help me out, but I think I’m just gonna see if he can explain it to me. He doesn’t have videos, so I doubt he can video demo it. I have trouble following written directions without a visual aide.

[Jenn]

I have the old school PS Brass pole, and I love it!! When I ordered it, I had to request the top loading version, otherwise they would have sent the new bottom loading pole. I have heard people say that the new version is convertible to a top or bottom loading pole though, but I’m not sure of the quality.

If you are going to go with PS, definitely stick to a one piece though. The multi-piece poles have all sorts of problems, like Charley said. I think that X-pole is coming out with brass multi-piece poles soon, but in my experience, both companies have had issues with their products when they’ve introduced new models.

[Jenn]

I have a removeable one-piece PS brass pole, and it is my favorite pole! I have grip issues and the brass seems to work well with my skin. It’s super sturdy and the spin-mode is very smooth. It’s super easy to set up and take down, and a simple pin allows me to switch to/from spin mode without having to drag out a tool kit. I do have to polish it every so often, but that is not a big deal and only takes a few minutes. The only downside to it is that my hands smell like a penny after practices.

[Jenn]

He is not on a forum and doesn’t record videos or anything, so I don’t know how receptive he would be to me asking for a video demo. I figured I’d ask here first, since many of us attended the pole jam and I know someone did catch it on video, I just don’t remember who. If no one here is able to help, I may send him a PM.

[Jenn]

I’m assuming skin type is referring to your hands? Cuz I have sweaty hands but normal/dry skin everywhere else.

[Jenn]

Hmmm… well, here are some of my ideas..

1. You could go perusing through some of the videos on here or on YT and then try to replicate anything that you particularly like. That may help get you out of your comfort zone and try some new combos. This YT site has some really cute mini routines you may wanna try… http://www.youtube.com/user/climbandspin

2. Another thing you could do is write down all the moves you want to perform, pick a song you could really groove to, then just pick points in the song where you want to execute the moves. Than you could add in some transitions and spins to fill up the space in between whatever moves you pick.

3. Put a song on repeat and then just freestyle to it, let the music move you… and when you touch on something you really like, write it down, and then incorporate it into an ongoing routine.

Good luck https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Jenn]

Happy Pole-iversary! So happy for you! I hope you continue to grow and find success in all you seek and more! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Jenn]

I’ve always had grip issues with the chrome Xpoles. I started out ob chrome, then moved to TG, and now I have a brass pole. Different metals work with different skin types. The only time I can really get on with chrome is in the middle of the summer when it’s super humid, otherwise.. it’s a slip-slidin’ all over for me.

[Jenn]

I have really slippery/sweaty hands and so I am always looking for different ways to help me grip better. I tried the gloves, and personally, they felt really foreign to me. I didn’t like that my hands weren’t in direct contact with the pole and my fingers weren’t able to completely flex around the pole because the gloves were so stiff. I definitely prefer the grip aides on the hands overall.

Maybe you could try them first and then decide? I haven’t seen any competition videos yet in which the competitor was wearing gloves, but then I’d don’t see how that is much different than using lotions, chalk, tacky clothing/shoes, which I am sure competitors have all used to help them grip.

[Jenn]

I have super sweaty hands usually, and have to wipe down the pole and myself frequently during practices. When I performed, I used grip aide.. and lots of it! I recommend using a little on your hands and and maybe give the pole a light dusting, if possible. I also used a little on the backs of my knees as well. It definitely helped. Also, for me, the adrenaline of performing in front of an audience gave a little extra grip power as well.

Just curious, which grip aide did/do you use? Thanks. I’m a beg/int poler, however, struggle with sweaty hands to practice and learn new stuff.

Lol, I am like a connoisseur of grip aides! I have used: Dry Hands, Tite Grip, Firm Grip, iTac, Grrip, Rosin, Mighty Grip, and have tried various home remedies (shave gel, hairspray, etc..) To date, my favorites are TiteGrip and Dry Hands. I use Tite Grip for long practices, but for short acting super grip power, I add a little Dry Hands to my hands and the back of my knees. A friend has recently turned me onto iTac, which is very helpful when put on a slippery pole, but I sweat right through it on my hands.

[Jenn]

I have super sweaty hands usually, and have to wipe down the pole and myself frequently during practices. When I performed, I used grip aide.. and lots of it! I recommend using a little on your hands and and maybe give the pole a light dusting, if possible. I also used a little on the backs of my knees as well. It definitely helped. Also, for me, the adrenaline of performing in front of an audience gave a little extra grip power as well.

[Jenn]

I learned on static initially, but I wish I would have trained on both. After spending over a year solely practicing on static, spin mode felt completely foreign to me and very difficult. I find spinning mode to be completely different than static mode, and much more difficult. Spinning pole requires different technique and the moves take a lot more strength due to the force of spin.. which feels like it will throw you off the pole. Also, the moves that require balance are more difficult to maneuver. I would recommend training on both, although if you’re learning a completely new move that can be done on both modes, practice it a on static before moving to spin mode.

[Jenn]

Hey Jenn…I love the books too! I am starting classes back up in Oct at the Aerial Classroom…meant to ask you did you get a chance to check out Cirque School when you were here in LA…?

Hey Veruca! Glad to hear you are going back, did you learn a lot from them? I would love to see some pics! I really enjoyed my classes with them. I will definitely be taking more next time I come out there. I didn’t get to check Cirque School out. I wish I could have stayed another week or so, there are so many different classes and schools in the LA area to explore! There was one I wanted to go to called Kinetic Theory that Mina had mentioned. Apparently they have really good contortion stretching classes. Do you know anything about that school?

[Jenn]

amyxshi and verucablue -Thanks for your help! I will have to keep you both in mind if I have further questions. Do you take classes or have silks in your house?
For now, I’ll just post up the few I have in question.arielsilk.jpeg
polevssilk.jpg

1 pic-What is the name of the first one?
2 pic- What is the name of the two with the silks?

Thanks so much!

1. My studio calls the first pic move a double foot lock split
2. My studio calls the first move a "fishhook." It’s a single footlock then place the fabric diagonally behind the hip and lean back and hook the free leg. For the 2nd pic, it’s hard for me to see how she is wrapped exactly, but it looks like a transitional move where she is almost ready to go into a drop known as the "single star" or something similar, but I can’t really tell from the pic.

Those books that Veruca mentioned are excellent! My friend has them and made me a copy of the intermediate one, and I love the pics and descriptions.

As far as leggings are concerned… I found some really interesting ones on Ebay, but I would recommend getting a unitard of sorts so that if your shirt comes up during a drop, you won’t get fabric burn on your torso (trust me… it hurts!!) You can gfind those at American Apparel or most online dance sites.

[Jenn]

Hi Alexis! Welcome to SV. You will find a lot of helpful information and support here. There are quite a few of us "Michiganders" on this website. I’m from MI too, I live in Ferndale. There are a lot of pole related events going on in the Metro Detroit area nowadays, and a whole community of us that get together for pole play periodically. Hope to see you one of the events sometime soon! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif