[PennyGirl]

I only WISH I was your size, those are too cute girl! Good luck moving those puppies. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[PennyGirl]

I liked it! I think you did great. I have a hard time loosening up enough to actually get in a good sexy dance. I just recently learned a few hip rolls and body roll which I am trying to make pretty right now. ( thanks charley) I went to a workshop with Leigh Anne and asked her about it. She said Just turn on the music and keep on dancing. Don’t think just dance and you will get better naturally. But I think you are off to a great start. YAY for you! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[PennyGirl]

Ha ha charley, you’re so cute "what she said"
I guess that makes sense. My livingroom is always colder than the rest of the house and that’s where my pole is so it’s always cold. I sometimes put the mighty grip on when I try to practice inverts but sometimes I feel like I’m cheating. You make a really good point when you say that gymnasts don’t work without chalk, I think I’m totally with you on that one. I never thought about antiperspirant though, mostly because I’m not doing any under arm grips yet. So I use grip when I try the caterpillar and the aysha… well you saw me totally crush poor rena trying to do my aysha which was highly embarrassing! In any case since I got home I have been practicing the caterpillar and it seems that I just slide down slowly almost riding the pole until I am basically head to floor lol! So I really wondered if it was normal to put so much grip on my body and the pole. I was really shocked to see it at the USPDF. You also make a really great point about the poles never getting warm at the comp. I think the only action they got was from the pole cleaners…poor lonely poles!
Anyway, thanks for the advice charlie oh and by the way, I’m still working on that hip roll and exaggerated body roll. When I feel comfortable I will post a vid. YAY! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

What Amy said https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

The poles are never really warm at comp and the grip on the pole also helped my hands stay drier. I have very sweaty hands and without grip poling is impossible. I actually took a lot of more advanced work out of my original uspdf routine because I was afraid of the poles and what the grip might be like.

I always pole with atleast antiperspirant on, I sweat that is something I cannot sure so I use tite grip religiously. If for some reason I need more griping power I use some Grrrip lotion. I also look at it this way – gymnasts don’t practice with out chalk so why I should I work without antiperspirant.

I have tried grippier aids like Itac and I so hate saying this but those aids just turn to slipperiness for me. I was scared someone before me would be using Firm Grip or Itac, lol!

I had my pole prepped with Grrrip, covered my body with Grrrip and used tite grip on my hands to avoid weat and my poles were okay. Not the best but I didn’t have any slippy problems. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif

As part of USPDF training I would actually only runthrough my routines cold (i.e having only minimal warm ups and stretching.) So that I could replicate the scenario I would be in. I even poled in a cold house so my pole wouldn’t warm up so I could get a feel for how the grip, the pole and my body would work under those circumstances.

[PennyGirl]

Yes Chem that made sense…when one of the girls explained how she watched jungle cats performance she understood the need to slather grip on the pole. I can honestly say I am not doing anything too rigorous at this point, but when I practice say my caterpillar I just slide slowly until I’m on the floor…it’s quite sad actually.

Thanks Luvlee https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

I do not use grip aid much unless I am learning a new move. Iguana mount was one because every time I put my head down my hands would start to sweat and that is one move where you don’t want to lose your grip! I also use it sometimes on my legs just because my shins sweat a lot when I am dancing and knee holds get difficult for me.

As for competitions…I think the lights on stage on top of performance jitters would turn me into a pool of dew. I would rather be slathered in grip aid than fly off the pole.

[PennyGirl]

thanks, I have always used alcohol on my chrome so that’s a good thing. I will keep the name of that grip in mind if I find the need to change. I just ordered some dry hands because it’s popular but I don’t know if I will like it or how I will use it just yet. thanks for the advice! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
I love grip aid but don’t find myself using it unless I am trying a new move or unless I am sweating and sliding terribly. I like Mighty Grip when I am needing a good grip to get a move without sliding down to quickly. I can do the moves without the grip aid as well. I just sometimes slide faster. I don’t think it hinders the leaniing process. Try it with it and with out it. If I am breaking into a terrible sweat, I use a special formula made by a friend of mine on here called Gription. I love it. It is made by chemgodess on here. Also, If you are experiencing issues and you have a chrome pole, clean it with alcohol vs windex. That helps ALOT!!!!

[PennyGirl]

I kind of wanted to be like you but then I realized that I slip all over the place. It’s not sweaty palms because my hands are usually pretty dry. (sometimes ashy and too dry even) I wanted to learn how to do all spins and inverts without grip, but that is turning out to be more of a hindrance than anything. I haven’t tried spin yet. I think I’m a frady cat at this pooint becuase I can’t stick on static lol! Thanks for the advice!

I never used grip aid until about a month ago, and even now I only use it sparingly. I’d like to be able to do my inverted tricks anywhere with just my normal hands, lol. It takes patience, but my hands and I have a greater understanding now. I will use my grip aid (iTac2) when I’m working on something where my hands really need to stick hard. The good thing about iTac is that it’ll soften up when you want to spin. So I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing anything with this grip aid. I’ve only put it on my hands but I know that Karol Helms uses it on other common points of contact on her body too. The first time I saw someone use grip aid on the pole itself was watching Jungle Cat slather Dry Hands all over a pole, and then slathering it all over himself too. I did giggle a bit at first… it looked funny, all of that white goop all over everything! But after seeing his rigorous and quickly spinning routine, I can see why he took the extra steps. It’s all about what you intend to do, and how much extra grip your body may need. I suggest trying to use little grip aid, and really gauge when you think you actually NEED it.

[PennyGirl]

It’s oka Koba, I was at first curious just to see what type of responses and then also to see what would work best for me. I have so many days when I can’t do a darned thing.. it really gets on my nerves. I feel like I am ALWAYS slipping. (I have a chrome expert) I’ve never tried windex though, I’ve only used alcohol. what kind of pole do you have?

I have never used a grip aid. I use just windex and that alone produces adequate grip for me. I also have a lil mynx that I will use because its powder coated and is grippier when my chrome is too slick. I know its not the answer you were looking for but I wanted to throw my 2 cents in. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif I’m interested in seeing everyones answers to this topic too.

[PennyGirl]

I know I totally caught that class with Leigh Anne today whooo hoooo yay me! ( I know I’m such a dork lol)

[PennyGirl]

I am so coming too and taking Leigh Anne’s flow class. Totally psyched! YAY!

[PennyGirl]

Make sure that both ends of your X-joints are fully tightened, alternate as you tighten them (Tighten 1 until it stops, tighten the other, go back to the first one, etc)

I received my xpert TG Monday 9/13, however, due to my husband’s & my work schedule, we can’t put it up till this Saturday https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif I’m nervous due to all I’ve regarding some issues with assembly, etc. When alternating tightening the x-joints, how do we know we should stop? I’m afraid we’ll be concerned about over-tightening and/or ruining it.

Don’t worry, the screws will only turn so much. Here are some helpful hints:
1) loosen and tighten the joints many times before you put the pole together. (this will give you an idea of the joints limitations and the pressure necessary to expand inside of the pole.
2) when you assemble, make sure you alternate the expansion. little here little there little here etc until the joint is fully expanded into the pole evenly
3) insert the tool (short side) ALL the way into the screw before you begin to turn (this can be tricky because some screws are weird so push in hard and push in again to make sure the tool is seated first then turn)
4) once it is all together go back and double check each section to make sure it’s good.
5) Have fun this is the time of your life!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[PennyGirl]

If I were you I would call X-Pole! They have great customer service and can help you out!!

roxy is right, and she knows ALLL about that too!

[PennyGirl]

I purchased my friend’s 2 month old Xpert today. One of the extenders is stuck in pole A. The hole and the hex screw aren’t aligned, so I can’t get the hex screw driver into the screw to loosen it. The two are only slightly misaligned. Does anyone know how I can get the hole and scew lined up or how I can get something into the hole to unfasten the screw? Thanks.

Hey sweety, I noticed your link today. I am sorry you are having problems with your expert. Yes, I too have experienced the same problem with my expert. When the joints are inserted into the pole ends, if they are slightly loose the pressure from working on the pole will actually cause them to bypass the inset and cutouts and the joints will spin inside of the pole parts. This causes the hex screws to become unavailable. If you can try to twist the poles around, sometimes you can and then get access to one set of screws…can you do that? If your main pole A is stuck to your main pole B, then you will have to remove the base and stuff a broom up in to the bottom of main pole A. Prop the broom stick on the floor ( don’t do this on tile or hard wood you will damage it so probably the garage is the best place) them bring the pole down hard onto the broom until you can push the joint out of the pole, then you can either try to pull it out of main pole B, first by loosening the end that was stuck in the main pole A and then try to pull, ( this will minimize any potential damage) or you can insert the broom into main pole B and do the same thing. This process may ruin the joint by pushing in the little "nipple" on the joint that is supposed to insert into the notch on the inside of the pole. You might have to replace the joint (i believe it’s like 15 bucks) also check the poles to make sure the cutouts are still serviceable. I had to replace both main pole A&B after this, but I still had another main pole B that survived the horror. Xpole is really good with customer service, this is not a new issue to them so they will be familiar with your issue. They will work with you to replace parts and sometimes will be able to send you discounted parts that may be gently used if you don’t mind. Hope this helps! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
I’m gonna friend you so you can tell me exactly what’s going on….oh and also so you can view the vid I posted about it..

[PennyGirl]

It may have some of the same stuff as the other vids posted but I after seeing this thread pop up I was inspired to do some floorwork. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/5008#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aw Veena, ur the bestest https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif

[PennyGirl]

No problem..done!

[PennyGirl]

Lulu’s shamless plug!

We have a floor/chair class at my studio. These are both my performance videos from Ms Xpose 2008 and 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5FkGkfdyHU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_b0_06FkM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OMGsh, you are way too good and WAAAAY too fast for me to catch onto your spunk girlfriend. I think I got whiplash just watching you move! Okay, I’m kinda jealous and now we totally can’t be friends LOL! No seriously, your dancing is awesome thanks so much for sharing these with me. I’d be lucky to have that much confidence in my pinkie toe, but one day hopefully!