[Jihaleh]

Obviously everyone’s fitness and pole journey is different, but personally I’ve been poling consistently since Jan and I’m still working on the very basics. I’m quite overweight and that meant I was completely unable to lift myself off the ground for a long time, but consistency is key. I’m aiming to be strong enough to invert by the end of the year.
That being said though, its also important to realise there’s so many facets to pole. I may not be strong, but I have reasonable flow and flexibility, so dancing elements like floorwork and transitions come relatively smoothly. So don’t feel like you have to master everything in one go. 🙂

[Jihaleh]

Soo after a month of working within 3x per week, my ankles are doing much better. I still need to work on balancing, and there is still a little bowing, but my foot doesn’t immediately roll out 🙂 thank you!

[Jihaleh]

Ohh this is fun 😄 Been wanting to work on attitude spins!

[Jihaleh]

Ohhh not good. I’m so sorry!

[Jihaleh]

If its just the joint that stuck, and you can still get the key in, make sure the key and the joint havent bee stripped. If they’re both good, you can add a tiny bit of lubricant like wd40 on the inside (not the outside as may damage the finish) to help it shift.
Also context xpole directly, their customer service is excellent when I had a problem with mine

[Jihaleh]

Hey! This happened to me as well. Is the that the joint is twisted inside or just that its not contracting?

[Jihaleh]

Are those all the flamingo style? 🙂
Curious, because I’ve been intrigued by the curved plateau.

[Jihaleh]

Thank you Veena, magic erasers t the rescue again lol
Yeah, so the floor would be solid and hasn’t been scratched of scuffed, even by the dining table so I think shoes ought to be fine.

[Jihaleh]

Its hardwood floorboards. They can be very slightly uneven because of that, so I’m slightly worried about the shoes scraping. I’ve heard that some soles can leave rubber skid marks, especially over time, which wouldn’t be ideal since I’m renting.

[Jihaleh]

Just thought of a some other things that would affect slipperyness that are worth thinking about:

Environmental humidity: condensation may be building up and make your pole wet, particularly if its cold

Is the pole staying warm: I mentioned briefly that it gets hot pretty quick, but that also means it gets cold pretty quick unless its maintained, by either the environment or your body. Make sure it stays warm. Also practice a few pole slides and side pole holds so you can really warm the bulk areas. Your pits are great for that, much warmer than hands. Just make sure you’re not super sweaty.

Alcohol can be used on hands, sparingly: If your hands just aren’t cooperating, applying a small amount of alcohol like rubbing alcohol or vodka will strip that. Don’t use a hand gel, it contains moisturisers, to counter the effects of the alcohol. Just be careful not to do it too much or you will seriously hurt your skin.

Consider body hair: scraggly pit hair was interfering with my grip until it became a regular habit for me.

Consider head hair: avoid fiddling with your hair, the grease, oils and sweat can interfere as well.

Thoroughly inspect your pole for damage: if left uncared for the finish will wear down, and it will lose its grip. Also check for any visible residue, don’t just assume the cloth catches everywhere.

Consider your cleaning tools: when was the last time that cloth got cleaned? Its picking up all that yuck, and if not washed all that yuck will just be spread back on your pole.

Grip gloves: this really bottom of the barrel, because they’re really not recommended, but they exist for a reason so its an option.

Sorry these got super lengthy but I hope you get something from it 😅

[Jihaleh]

I find my TG pole SUUUPER slippy when its cold, but once it’s warmed up its so incredibly grippy, and thankfully it warms up pretty quick.

I wash my hands with dish soap before practice (dries you out a little, but I do find it helpful, since I have to use handcreams from washing my hands all day at work). This is honestly the most holygrail thing I can suggest. Just make sure your hands are completely dry before starting, including under any watches or bracelets.

For sweaty hands, cream stick antiperspirants (I use a Dove one for both pits and hands on the daily, applied before bed) are also good for that. Carpe is a brand that is available in the US but I’ve not seen outside of there.

I use window cleaner wipes (they’re generally dry, or very slightly damp), and/or a cheap vodka if I really need to clean it. It’s essential to have a super clean pole for grip.

I’ve also found that dry hands is good, applied mostly to the fingers and between the fingers (which personally is where I sweat the most), on the pole (applied to hands, rub together, then spread of pole) for the first half of practice or for conditioning, cuz it can make spins kinda clunky.

The main thing though, is grip strength, and body strength. I know that’s a slow and boring process, but no amount of grip aids or warm poles will save you if your grip isn’t strong enough to hold you there, and the more pole you do the more your grip strength will be necessary as you sweat more. Pole holds, pole slides, and all of Veena’s hand and forearm strength has been incredibly important personally.

Be mindful of what the grip issue is, if it “wet” – from sweat, from water, from oily or recently moisturized skin; is it “dry” – dry spin, overuse of grip aids (which can leave a talcy residue and reduce grip), from a cold pole; and you will find a solution that best suits. If it is both – its probably strength.

[Jihaleh]

Ah yes, justing doing a couple of calf raises and focusing on my big toe made my whole leg shake! and I found the foot abductions super difficult, so definitely a weak spot. I did get a little bit of a stretch as well. Thank you so much 🙂

[Jihaleh]

[Jihaleh]

Hey veena! So I’ve done this 3 times now.. and a couple things have some up. First, I never realised feet DOMS was a thing 😆 and boyy are my calves spasming and cramping up.
Secondly, because of my kinda floppy ankles, I tend to “roll out” and sickling my foot, which leads to very scary times with heels. I’ve mentioned this before. Should I focus on leaning into my big toe for calf raises? I think part of the twisting it because I feel more mobile like that, as opposed to big toe. Will that get better with time as well?

[Jihaleh]

Heyy! so I filmed a little thing for what helped me when I was practicing my pole holds and climbs (which I still am hehe) and I am uploading it now. I hope it helps a little bit. Please obviously bare in mind I’m in no way an expert and I’m just going off what helped me as a plus size dancer 🙂

But on the topic of plus size dancers, I don’t know if there’s necessarily a group, but I’ve linked up with another member here on facebook whom I’m sure would be excited to start a little group. If you want to add me, my contact on there is on my page

[Jihaleh]

I have the x-pert pole and its pretty much a permanent fixture in my living room unless I have to take it down, stays up for months at a time! As Veena said, just check it’s all still safe before a work out. I love that I can just bust out an occasional mini-dance 🙂

[Jihaleh]

I don’t know much about shoes specifically, but I have oddly shaped feet and and find the hairdryer with thick socks trick work well to mould them better, I’ve been able to take a shoe up a half size like that. Works best with plastic and leather I’ve found. Do t if that’s helpful. Also shoe stretchers are a great help.

[Jihaleh]

This is very exciting 😁
Question: I suck at forward bodywaves (chest hips knees) but I’m so much more flowy with reverse waves, I feel like I’m leading with my butt. Any particular reason or just a mental thing? 😄

[Jihaleh]

Second this!!

[Jihaleh]

Oh I was there for a longgg time, still am on some days when I’m not feeling g super strong!
General upper body and back/shoulder strength is essential 🙂 I had a video on my page ages ago that was a shoulder strength routine with a resistance band tag I found really useful too.
Keep practicing.. you will get there!

[Jihaleh]

I found wipes that are used for window/glass cleaning from the poundshop (equivalent to dollar tree?), but since they’re mostly dry I find it doesn’t mean any residue but does a incredible job of clearning my pole, and its completely hassle free. Occasionally need a little extra work to cut through any grip residue, but comes off easy and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin

[Jihaleh]

i second Roz for an awesome poler! Though she posts much less pole content now. Another big gal poler I follow is Lyricallypole. She’s wonderful 🙂
Also, Miglena from ThePoleDancer (both IG and YT), she’s a german dancer and wonderful for flow and style.
Poowlyne is a French dancer who posts cool little combos and poses, but she’s not polished by any means but she’s very talended and I find that super endearing.
Marie4Pole is a UK instructor that I follow, she owns a studio in the midlands and she’s GORGEOUS (and often naked tbh lol)
Obvi Polelols, though that’s less pole dnacer and more pole memes 😉

[Jihaleh]

I second what Colleen said, he’ll either be bitter before he gets better. Give it some time, his ego got bruised 😉

[Jihaleh]

xpole’s own website is your best bet, amazon has some but can never be too sure with them.

[Jihaleh]

I’m in UK and I get mine on amazon, but it seems you can buy direct from their website for ~$10 for a 2oz bottle plus shipping.

https://www.dryhands.com/order.php