[JoleneBell]

Wow. Thank you so much you guys. You’re all so awesome. Yep, after I posted that I forced myself to go pole. And I feel so much better for it. It was, of course, the perfect remedy. I am posting a pic of the climb I accomplished! Thank you all, again. Your encouragement helped more than you know.

[JoleneBell]

Thanks so much!
I’m excited because my hubby is interested in doing it with me. Thrilled about this.

[JoleneBell]

Oh, Veena, how I love thee. You’re like this magic pole fairy-godmother that sprinkles pole magic on everyone and shows them the light.
THANK YOU. 🙂

[JoleneBell]

Good information. Thanks, litlbit!
Charley, you are HEEElarious. “I’m a stinky person in general…” LOL! I actually have noticed, myself, that I sweat so much more doing pole than any other workout I’ve ever done, and accidentally whiffed my armpit the other day. Wuff! Anyway, it’s good to know the bare feet in boots/shoes deal. I never knew that! Socks for me from now on!

[JoleneBell]

As a beginner, myself, I’ll tell you that the first class I went to was lacking in teaching form. She would demo but then not tell us to engage shoulders, etc, and girls were just going for it, hanging from their arms and what not. That’s one thing I’d say to stress right away to anyone interested.
As a spectator, I say if you did a mini routine before instruction samples would be neato!

[JoleneBell]

Thanks, Laura! My instinct kinda told me so! Thanks for confirming!

[JoleneBell]

It’s so awesome how pole brings out the fun active kid in us! My hubby isn’t the most active person in the world and he couldn’t resist voluntarily doing the back bend slide when I showed it to him. Fresh from work, full work jeans, coat, and all! I coached him through it and he did it. It was awesome. 🙂

[JoleneBell]

Actually, the exam is in April! My Bad!

[JoleneBell]

Thanks for the input everyone! Yeah, I don’t think I pulled anything, thank goodness! It’s good to know that it’s just something that can happen to anyone and just to do all I can to try to prevent it.

[JoleneBell]

I definitely agree that following a declaration of pole usage up with “but” anything, is a defense of sorts, which would cause folks to think you are ashamed, which you don’t need to be, and/or actually have something to defend, which you don’t!
I always say “I do pole fitness. Amazing workout.” Whatever they think after that is whatever. I truly wish everyone would try it and love it as much as I do, but I’ve had to accept that some people just aren’t going to get it.
I cringe whenever it’s referred to as a “stripper pole” because it’s such a limiting title. I think that when people think “stripper” they’re likely not thinking “great athletic ability and acrobatic skill,” they’re just thinking of heels and sex. Pole is, obviously, so much more than that, sometimes not at all that, sometimes completely that, sometimes everything.
Can I just say right now, thank God for pole?

[JoleneBell]

Thanks, guys! Needed this today!

[JoleneBell]

Thanks so much for poling for me, too, Write! Thanks for confirming that I made the right decision to stop before I hurt myself! I definitely don’t want an injury. Oh! That was a question I’ve been meaning to ask Veena or anyone who knows… since shoulder/upper body injuries are so common with pole, is it caused by overdoing it, or not warming up? I want to make sure I never get one!

Thanks for referring me to the leg conditioning, Veena!!! I didn’t know (surprise, surprise) that there was a leg routine! I think I’ll focus on legs and abs today. I do the Switch for my routine, but it’s become easy now. What’s a good ab routine that’s not complicated to perform? I tried a few Jillian Michael’s ab exercises but her moves are so complicated sometimes.

[JoleneBell]

How is it coming? I’m looking forward to what you come up with!

[JoleneBell]

I’ve been looking for a way to craft a hard floor! This is amazing! I cant wait to show my husband!

[JoleneBell]

JD, I’m so glad!
I started getting up 5 am to get my poling in before everyone gets up and the day starts. My day goes much smoother when I do that. It’s a little tough because I’m a night owl, but pole is super important to me so I make it work. Sounds like to work insane hours!
Do you have kiddos, too?

[JoleneBell]

Yeah, Veena! You’re such a bully! Lol that made me giggle

[JoleneBell]

Thanks so much for all of your contributions to this thread! It’s so awesome to share! I can’t believe the changes I am continuing to see after just 19 days of consistent pole strength training. I am so grateful for this community and all of you. You rock my world.

p.s. Remember! Focus on engaging a neutral scapula! 😛

[JoleneBell]

Welcome!

It definitely needs to be something you’re into. Try a class and see what you think. It may hook you so hard that you’ll get the poling bug like the rest of us and it will become about you doing it mainly for you and not someone else.
My personal pole life consists of working out on my own with the pole and then ecstatically dragging my husband downstairs when he gets home from work to show him the new move I learned, then sweating and grunting as I show him. I’m putting together a routine for him, eventually (which is going to be fun!), but overall, it’s for me and no one else.

When you do try a beginner’s class, remember this: everyone else there is almost certainly going to be as self conscious as you are. I promise. My first pole class I was terrified, but by the second class I was in booty shorts! It was incredible.
Get your pole on and I’ll be interested to hear how you like it!!!

[JoleneBell]

Thanks, Veena! You really are right. I tend to be huge on comparing and that does not cultivate the most positive of attitudes. I want to be able to do things NOW and have trouble accepting that I’m not a failure just because I haven’t mastered pole in two weeks!
I’ve been doing the pole strength routine every other day, but I think I’m going to start the last two weeks of the 30 day and look forward to that helping me. I’m also trying to majorly focus on shoulder strength and scapula exercises.
When I see others able to lift themselves quickly, it’s difficult to not come down on myself! But doing that won’t make my own personal journey any better.
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

[JoleneBell]

Thanks Shanella and Ann! I may get some grip aid, maybe that would help! It’s very encouraging, Ann, that it took you almost a month. I likely am in that boat, too. I have zilch upper body strength as well. I mean, I’m amazed at how I AM improving, but feel like I’m not truly able to pole unless I can do spins etc. I probably need to change that mindset!

[JoleneBell]

I think having that as an option is a brilliant idea.

[JoleneBell]

This is an encouraging thread! Thanks everyone!

[JoleneBell]

Hey Toast!
I am too type A to use the 30 Day Take off, I found, because when I would miss a day or two I would just get down on myself and then worry that I had to start over, etc (which, obviously, is my own problem). Then I found the liberty of just writing down the exercises for the Pole Strength Routine, which I now do every other day to my own music, and tack on one conditioning lesson at the end of each. After that, I freestyle for around an hour, ideally. I also log my progress in my notebook and underline the improvements I make each week for quick reference.
I’m very beginner, and I think what I’m going to do is work on new beginner pole moves for a week at a time before incorporating others.

[JoleneBell]

Hey JD! I’m in your boat… totally! I have been in and out of shape for years and I’m 32, and about fourty pounds overweight right now as well. I got hooked on pole when taking a beginner’s class at a local studio, but since those sessions ended, I’ve been on StudioVeena.com ONLY.

Let me say this: subscribe to the lessons! In each lesson she thoroughly describes each move and also how to modify. I am working on the pole hold, too, and can’t do anything but flick my feet up off the floor behind me for not even a second! You’re not alone.

Don’t be intimidated. The lessons really ARE created for those just starting with zero skills.

Right now I do Veena’s Pole Strength Routine every other day, and have been consistent for a week. What keeps me dedicated is knowing that I’ll be able to do spins in 2-3 weeks.

I would recommend to just keep trying. You’re using your muscles, regardless of whether you’re lifting yourself. Eventually, you’ll be able to budge.

Also, I have no flexibility, either! We’re both starting from complete scratch 🙂

[JoleneBell]

Thanks, DancingQueans, already found a free stationary bike! SHAZAM! My aunt saw my post on Facebook and offered me hers. Score! I should definitely use a stability ball for posture, Laura. I need help with mine lol! Squats are a great one, too!