[RoMo]

I do have SV lessons, but I did want to pitch in my two cents.
I agree with the fact that the 3 days trial is a bit short. I would have really appreciated it if it was a full week (7 days). During the three days, I got to play around with it a bit on the first day, had two busy days and didn’t get around to seeing anything more. I ended up signing up when I wasn’t really sure what content I’d be getting… (BTW, I don’t regret it – I’m a beginner and really enjoying it all!).
I signed up for the lessons when you had them down to $79 and the dollar was weak. I live abroad and the $20 dollar discount (as well as the exchange rate at the time of purchase) really did make a big difference to me.
I have recommended the lessons to a few of my pole friends from the studio, but I know that the cost is probably the biggest obstacle.

[RoMo]

Hi Rosie – I’m not small, and while I’m the biggest girl at my studio, I’d rather call myself curvaceous, sensuous… I’m 5’1″ and 180 lbs (152 cm, 80 kgs) and I started poling about 6 months ago.

In class, it always seems that all the other girls are so thin, in their cheeky short shorts and teeny tiny sports bras. Yes, I wear longer, high waist shorts and full coverage tank tops. I feel self conscious about how I look. About two weeks ago, I had the confidence to take my tank top off and remain in sports top and shorts. While I am not thin, I think I look well proportioned. I was working on my eighth class working on inverts and I was only beginning to get it. It was their first class working on inverts and they were already trying (and doing!) Gemini. When one of them caught me looking at them, her smirk seemed to say “I’m thin and that’s why I can do this.”
Needless to say, I went home feeling horrible, despite having finally done an invert.

I’m relatively new here on SV, but having bought a pole and signing up to this site is probably one of the best things I’ve done for myself. I practice several times a week at home, in addition to class (I’ve started to go to a morning class instead of the evening class, with those girls!), which I keep down to once a week since I’ve joined SV. Veena’s videos are amazing. Also, I really enjoy the discussions, other girls’ videos and photos. I have yet to work up the confidence to tape myself, even for my own viewing, but I know I’ll be doing it soon enough.

One of the things, I see here girls of all sizes and levels and that really gives me a great boost of confidence. I’m progressing at my own pace (which sometimes seems really slow… took me a long time to get the pole hold and then even longer to manage my first climb!), but then coming on here and reading about other girls’ experiences gives me a boost of energy to keep getting back on the pole.

I’m really happy that you enjoy poling. Don’t let anyone say or do anything that makes you feel like you can’t. Even if you can’t do something today, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Keep practicing. Tomorrow’s the day. If you ever need to talk, bitch or vent, feel free to contact me. 🙂
In the meantime, hug from afar. (>”)>

[RoMo]

Hi PoleKat – I’m also an office monkey by day… by night, a dynamic czar of the underworld! 😉
I work Sunday – Thursday, so I can do those evenings or Fri-Sat, anytime…

[RoMo]

I have to agree with Kobajo’s outlook of keeping what you love as a hobby. I started pole a few months ago, but I’ve been sewing and designing forever. People have always told me I should make a career out of it – and I always choose not to because I know that the first few years are hard – very hard, and even after that, nothing is guaranteed.

I don’t know where you are in life (kids, mortgage, student loans, etc…), but for me, a steady income is important. I found a day job I enjoy enough to spend 40 hours a week at. The good thing about it is that it gives me a steady salary, which a certain part of it goes towards the things that I’m passionate about – creating, sewing, now pole… 🙂

I think that PinkPony takes things a bit too far with her “Tomorrow is promised to no one, I can’t live in fear like that” outlook. From where I stand, I feel that it’s a bit reckless not to plan for the future – although while planning, never forget to live the present! (Maybe, had you asked me this ten years ago I would have agreed with PinkPony, so I guess this is a matter of where you are in life…)

There’s an article that I really like and I’ve shared it with numerous friends about the DWYL (Do What You Love) credo. I highly recommend reading it!
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/01/do_what_you_love_love_what_you_do_an_omnipresent_mantra_that_s_bad_for_work.single.html

And whatever you do decide to do in the end, best of luck! 🙂

[RoMo]

Thanks HookedonPole. Makes me feel better to know I’m not the only one who thinks that a 30 day challenge might not be finished in 30 consecutive days… 🙂 Good luck!

[RoMo]

Thanks for your recommendations! ! Good to know I’m not the only sweaty poler! I always feel like I’m the only one sweating in the class…

I’ll try to purchase a few of the products mentioned on the thread… My biggest problem is that I live in Israel and not all companies ship to here (I’ve actually had an order cancelled because the company didn’t want to ship to Israel “during these times…” as their email put it.)

I’ll update if I find a combination that I like and find effective…

[RoMo]

I’ve been poling for a few months and played around with a few things like DryHands and MightyGrip. Not a fan of either… My biggest problem isn’t sweaty hands, it’s sweaty thighs. What do you guys do to keep thighs dry? Once I start sweating, which happens a few minutes after I start working out, I can’t get a decent hold on my pole. I’ll try a pole sit, plank, ckr or what not and I just find that my legs slip right down… I’ve tried anti perspirant, as well, but that doesn’t beat the heat…
Advice, please?!

[RoMo]

I started this a month ago on medium, with an initial starting time of 50 seconds and I’m only on day 20… I know I haven’t been perfect at doing it everyday, but I keep on pushing. Today was 3 min 50 sec and it seemed to take FOREVER! I don’t know how I’ll get up to the six minutes on day 30. Also, if I switch to “easy” mode now, it seems to take me back to much shorter times. What I wish the app would do is take the last time I completed it on medium and start the easy from that time… does that make sense?
Is this 30 day challenge taking anyone else besides me more than 30 days? Tell me I’m not alone! 🙂

[RoMo]

PoleKat — Seems like the other girls are all from the US (EST) and would prefer evenings, which is middle of the night for us… I’d be happy to join you during our evenings, get a Europe group started. I’m at GMT+2.

[RoMo]

I’ve watched some of your stuff and it is GOOD. I don’t know how long and hard it took you to get there, but try to remember that it was harder than you remember. You will get back to your badassery, it’s like riding a bike.

Years ago I used to box competitively. I took a two year leave while I was in the military but when I came back to it, I watched videos of me at my peak and at first it was REALLY frustrating, as it became easy to forget how long and hard I worked to get to my peak… But eventually, if you train hard and love what you do, it comes back. 🙂

Good luck!

[RoMo]

I like the idea. Count me in. I just did my first challenge. I’m at 50 seconds. Day 30 should be 350 seconds. OMG. 😛 I’ll work on it.

Do you do a forearm plank or a straight arm plank? I always thought it was supposed to be on the forearms but lately been seeing people do it with hands on the floor and arms straight… What’s the correct form?

In the meantime, I’m taking pictures for my own record.

[RoMo]

Thanks. 🙂

[RoMo]

Hi Sofi,

First of all, with all the gals here saying that hubby put theirs up, happy to hear that you don’t need a man to do this for you! (Having been raised by a single mom, she’s empowered me to learn to use power tools!)

What’s your ceiling made of?
If it’s concrete, you’ll need a concrete bit (which can be purchased at your local home center, just bring along the screws so they know what size bit to give you). Also, you’ll need an anchor for the screws. These are usually little tubes made of plastic that open up once the screw is put in.

If your ceiling is wood, you’ve got a slightly easier time of it. Find a beam. Best way is to turn down the music and knock on the wood till you find an area that doesn’t sound hollow. Tap to the left and right and forward and backward to find the direction of the beam.

Next, drill holes. Here you have to be careful not to hit an electricity line. If you have ceiling light fixtures or a ceiling fan, the easiest way to avoid any electricity lines is if you don’t drill on the [invisible] lines that connect the walls and cross at the fixture. I hope that makes sense.

If it’s cement, put your anchors into the holes. You’ll probably need a hammer for this.
Then, for wood and cement, attach according to the mount’s instructions.

Down the line when you leave said home or just want to remove the holes, you can use plaster or caulk to fill the holes. A dab of white paint and your landlord will never know they were there.

Hope this was helpful. If you have additional questions, feel free to ask.

Good luck!

[RoMo]

Hi Phoenix,

Thanks, I’ll try that! I have a class tonight and I always feel weird having to wash my hands so many times, but it’s the only thing I found that really works. I’ll drop by the drug store on the way to class…

Thanks! 🙂

[RoMo]

Our studio uses Windex on chrome X poles, so that’s what I’ve been using at home, as well. It’s gentle enough on the chrome and doesn’t do too much damage to my skin, either.

I’ve ordered some “Dry Hands”, but still waiting for it to arrive. Have yet to try it. In the meantime, I find that keeping my hands super clean (washing with soap 6-8 times during class!) and dry is the best grip aid…