[PoleNerd]

This magic eraser sounds quite…magical? I'm going to pick one up today. I may try the plywood once my pole extension arrives.

@c1997347 ha, thank you! Hopefully I'll be posting videos soon…kind of scary it's been over a year.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! Glad I'm not the only ring-sufferer out there.

[PoleNerd]

Thanks for the replies! The rings are not super dark …I'd say more faint, gray, but definitely noticeable on a stark white ceiling.

What are the dimensions of the board/plywood you use? I'm wondering about thickness…also, I'm scared of it sliding!

[PoleNerd]

Actually, I've had this pole for almost two years. Time flies.

[PoleNerd]

I too have been battling health issues and was put off pole for many months. Now that I am getting back into it, I am feeling strong, and starting to love my body again. Feeling great about your body can only lead to feeling better about yourself…which just makes life easier.

Pole also enforces the idea that if you put your mind to something, practice, stick with it, you WILL improve and reach your goals. Plus, pole goals are very tangible. Pole was maybe the first thing I've done that has made me truly believe that. I'm not pole super star, but I hope to be some day! This mind set is also great to apply to other life goals.

[PoleNerd]

Gemini is now one of my strongest moves, but it was a disheartening, excrutiating struggle at first.

Your leg has to be placed at a very precise angle (OMG THE PAIN), and your side has to be angled very precisely as well (OMG THE PAIN). For me, most of the pressure goes on my side. It is usually bright red after I pole – your side has to be REALLY UP IN THAT POLE! an in-person example or up-close video would be so helpful for this (maybe i could make one?)

That is not to sat that there is not a lot of pressure on my hooked leg – that's why it looks horrible, like cottage cheese. There is so much pressure on your skin, fat, and muscle! Sorry Mechie, that probably is not what you want to hear, at all.

For those of you who are struggling, you WILL get it. You really have to play around with the angle of your hooked leg and your side. It will hurt like hell at first, but iI promise it will go away. The pole also has to be really good and sticky when you're learning, so you can wiggle around trying to find the right angle.

[PoleNerd]

oh, and i should probably add that i followed Veena's lesson as well. It is excellent, but I'm def doin' it wrong. 🙂

[PoleNerd]

Another poler here struggling to stay "hooked" in my butterfly. Don't have much to add, except this old thread: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/getting_into_extended_position_2009-11-18_142659

They also suggested really pointing the toe, and leaning into it/extended more slowly. I think I keep slipping out of it because I'm going too fast!

[PoleNerd]

Veena, can you do a lesson, pretty pretty please?

 

[PoleNerd]

The 45 has worked out great for me, and I do have exceptionally small hands. Your body will probably adapt to whichever one you choose.  I have never used a 50 so I can't comment which is better – either way, I bet trying out a 50 at this point would feel so weird!

If you have the money and the space, you could get one of each 😀

A lot of other threads on here claim 50 is a "standard" but as I am not a competitor or a frequenter of studios I can't comment on that.

BEST OF LUCK on your decision.

[PoleNerd]

Another poler who suffers from depression and anxiety here. I really don't want to use drugs to help me unless I'm completely desperate (haven't been for a few years). That includes weed and alcohol. Poling and physical activity DEFINITELY helps, but unfortunately we can't spend 24 hours poling 😀

Feeling like birth control will always have something to do with it. Been dying to go off of it, but it has a bunch of other benefits as well (making periods regular and less horrible, preventing pregnancy). So I've continued for now.

It's so nice to be on here and know that there are others who suffer – no one in my life is open about their depression or anxiety or simply doesn't have it, so I'm tired of feeling like a complete Debbie Downer. The positive, outgoing personality is definitely revered in our culture, and it gets very frustrating for people who are depressed/anxious. Most of us our actively seeking remedies but it's not something you can just get rid of overnight. People who have never been anxious or depressed will never understand.

I've never been on meds, but my depression/anx definitely comes and goes in cycles. It's mild/moderate at most but it still blows and it makes it worse to feel like no one else in your life is going through the same thing.

But overall…YAY for poling!

[PoleNerd]

Not sure what Champon is making these days, but I recall them having a sports bra up to a 42DDD. Goddess also makes a few sports bras (in black, even!) that go up to F or G. You probably won't be able to escape the uniboob look with a sports bra, but maybe it won't matter if you're looking more for function that fashion. You could always put on a cute top on.

Try to find a local boutique that specializes in bras and/or bra fitting. They seem to have way better variety than department stores. (I used to work at one of these boutiques)

I feel y'all – I'm a small DD, but my size has def increased since poling. They really only get in the way when they're sore around that time of the month. Banging a sore boob into the pole or the floor is never, ever fun.

 

 

[PoleNerd]

What’s a showgirl climb?

[PoleNerd]

Watching my videos consists of learning what I need to fix and bashing myself. I bash myself for performing a move incorrectly and for how my body looks. However, the former is very helpful in showing me what I need to improve.

Things that I’ve improved on, thanks to watching my vids:
Posture
Inverting
Fluidity
Pointing toes

What makes me CRINGE from watching my vids:
Cellulite
Posture
Stomach fat
Nose
Faces I make

So at the moment, watching my videos is more negative than positive…but I keep powering through, knowing that videos will only help me improve and make me feel proud of my progress.

[PoleNerd]

I found a foam roller at Marshall’s for $13…by none other than Jane Fonda! It comes with a DVD, too. have only used the roller twice and have yet to watch the DVD, but I look forward to incorporating it into my routine.

I watched a few of your roller vids, Veena…they are great!

[PoleNerd]

Thank you guys. Hmmm I do have a habit of holding my breath when concentrating (esp for newer moves), but I’ve been working on breaking that. Ill just have to keep practicing.

Haha, and if all else fails, I’ll remember to whip out my girls!

[PoleNerd]

@misskitty83 I’m also a 32DD and have found many cheap pretty bras…though many brands don’t even make the size. Brands I’ve found: calvin klein, felina, natori, wacoal, le mystere, and a few more – very inexpensive at premium outlets, tj maxx, nordstrom rack, some department stores, etc. I’m talking anywhere between $5 and $35.

Agreed – there are plenty of slim women with naturally large breasts and large women with naturally small breasts, and everywhere in between. If you look for it, you’ll see it’s there. The cliche is true that women come in all shapes and sizes.

I’m a pretty big creep and evaluate womens breasts all the time.

[PoleNerd]

One major issue is that we don’t see enough real breasts on real life. We are do used to pushup bras, implants, and air brushing.

I worked as s bra fitter for two years and it really helped me appreciate my breasts and body.

So many women thought their breasts didn’t look right because they weren’t pushed up to their neck!

If you really think your breasts are deflating and sagging, keep working your pecs and your core. While they may not affect your breast skin and tissue, it might help your breasts look “perkier.” Also invest in a great bra. If you’ve lost a lot of tissue, then pushup may not be the way to go… Try a molded cup.

Regardless of what your breasts are doing, you’re going to be hot and strong.

[PoleNerd]

There may be tiny breaks in the pole finish… then the inside of the pole is exposed to moisture, causing rust.

[PoleNerd]

@Mechie – I haven’t experienced any chipping from cleaning – I don’t clean my pole a lot, and when I do, I don’t use much vinegar.

Perhaps the alcohol is too harsh for your pole, but that doesn’t seem right. Do you actually see or feel the chipping happening? Do you wear jewelry or use anything else abrasive on your pole?

[PoleNerd]

I also have a chrome xpole (xpert). It has gotten significantly stickier over the past four months. I use vinegar to clean it.

I also find that the pole has to be completely warm – top to bottom – in order to stick. If any part of the pole feels cool (not cold), I will slide.

Maybe you have to take extra time to warm up your body and the pole? Perhaps the chrome takes longer to warm up than other finishes. Also, have faith that the pole will become stickier over time with constant use.

[PoleNerd]

Keep the crash mat until you feel more comfortable inverting. At least until you can grip with only your legs.

I used a bunch of pillows and blankets because I’m not as classy as you 🙂 however, fear only held me back and robbed me of strength, not to mention sweaty hands.

Veena shows you the safe, right way. With Veena and the crash mat, you have nothing to fear!

[PoleNerd]

All you can really do is stick with it and be patient. Rest when you need to. And try as hard as you can not to compare to others' progress!

For the pole sit,  it took me two-three weeks for the high pain and bruising to go away, and probably about a month to feel totally comfortable. However, there are days where it's still painful – there's always so many factors involved!

Like Chem said, bruises will still come when learning new moves.

I also started off out-of-shape and weak. But there are women on here who started out in fantastic shape, and they still couldn't do any moves at first! That's why pole is so awesome.

The good thing about strength training beforehand is that you will balance both sides of your body. I regret not strengthtraining beforehand, and I was left with an awkward, weak left side. It's about four months in and things are finally starting to even out. Chin ups and pull ups really help for poling (though they probably won't help for pole sits!)

Keep at it Shonaj!

[PoleNerd]

I use Cetaphil as a face/body moisturizer, but it doesn’t help for hand grip – it has lots of oil in it. Moisturized skin definitely sticks better, but you have to make sure the lotion goes on hours before you pole so there’s no residue.

[PoleNerd]

I only know 45, and it’s been great for my small hands (seriously- they fit into kids’ gloves) and leg hangs.

Curious about the 50 now…bet it feels like a tree trunk! I assume switching to a different size will always be challenging at first, but in the end only make you stronger and more versatile in the end.

[PoleNerd]

I feel like there is no way to avoid the initial forearm pain, even if you don’t do it too often and use the correct technique. I have the tiniest forearms and wrists ever.

However, I no longer experience forearm pain from the cradle spin and thigh rest…it will probably come back once I start trying the advanced split grip moves, but I have to say that the pain will prob go away once you build strength and don’t overdo the split grip.