[chemgoddess1]

The biggest thing with protein is finding one that you can stomach the taste of.  There are few mixes that I can drink without issue and most of those are whey isolate.  I see that they offer samples…I would order those before plunking down money for a 1k container.  Protein does you no good if you cannot drink it.

 

As for recomp, you should try to get protein into your system within 30 minutes after strength training.  That said, I am not sure if you should be dosing creatine at the same time (this is blended in with the fusion protein).  For some reason I thought that creatine and carbs should be prior to training and protein after.  There have been a few articles on nutrient timing that I will try to find and post here.

[chemgoddess1]

I vaguely remember seeing I think SapphireCatEyez doing that a few years back.  It was either her or someone else who was fusing a lot of yoga moves with pole.  I can see the video clearly in my head I just cannot remember who it was.  I think they were calling it an inverted lotus or something to that effect.

[chemgoddess1]

I am sorry, I got the Electra Pole confused with the Flirty Girl pole.  It appears that the Electra is just a rebranded PeekaBoo pole. 

[chemgoddess1]

The Electra Poles I did not think were too bad if you had them screwed in the top and bottom.  They should just never be used as tension poles.  I have been on home made poles that are one piece pipe fitted into a flange that is bolted in and have never had an issue.  You can make a decent pole from stainless exhaust pipe for under $150….I have seen it done at many bars. Most of the issues are from multipiece poles that have plastic parts or from poles that have cheap tension mounts.   This is what you need to be aware of.

[chemgoddess1]

I will put the song on repeat on my ipod and listen to it exclusively so that I know every nuance of the song, that way if I get too fast or miss something during my performance I know how much I need to improv before the next segment.

[chemgoddess1]

Look into powder coating the pole.  I know of quite a few people here who have had it done at a body shop and the cost was under $100.

 

The only problem I see with both tape and liquid latex is both of them are going to need constant replacement.  I am also not sure how well liquid latex sticks to metal….

[chemgoddess1]

I routinely listen to things like pandora, 8tracks and slacker radio (not to mention a few people that I stalk on itunes).  When there is a song I like I favorite it and then usually download it.  There are songs that speak to me at the time and there are songs that always speak to me.  When I am preparing for a performance I will narrow my music choice down to 4 or 5 songs and then put them into a playlist and listen to them for a few days.  Once song will always stand out from the rest and that is the song I pick. 

[chemgoddess1]

I have been on a brushed steel pole before and I will agree that they SUCK!  There is a product called Grrrip that I know a few work with (http://www.titansupport.com/products/workout-essentials/grrrip-lotion.html) that may be an option.  If the club is not willing to take the pole down then there is not much you can do.  If you feel unsafe on the pole DO NOT attempt stuff aerially.  A friend of mine totally crashed onto her back doing an ayesha…..it was not pretty.

 

There are many different types of brushing.  Typically clubs are going to go with the cheapest option which is going to be a cheap stainless or even galvanized steel pole.  I ahve not been on the X SS or brass so I cannot comment on those poles.

[chemgoddess1]

A while back there were instructions online on how to make your own mats.  I had looked into this but once I priced out foam and the material (not to mention my time) it just was not worth it.

 

I originally bought a few really large pillows that I found at Big Lots.  You can probably get some patio cushions this time of year and then just velcro those together.  Or keep an eye on craigslist for people who are getting rid of couches for free and get the cushions off that.  

 

Ther are quite a few options if you are creative!

[chemgoddess1]

The biggest thing I see is slow down and hold those poses a lot longer than you are.  The entire routine felt rushed to me….let the audience take in the complexity of what you are doing.  By the time the brain registers that you are in a trick you are already exiting from it.  To me it looks liek you are trying to put every single trick that you know into the routine.  There is just too much there and nothing stands out.

 

Also, really work on that extension…reach as far as you can with your hands and legs.

 

I will close by stating I am not trying to be a bitch or horrible to you.  I was not sure if I was going to post this here or if I should do it as an email.  I am an extremely analytical person by nature and if someone asks I will give what I see without sugar coating it.  I am blunt but if you met me in person you would know that my words come from the heart.

[chemgoddess1]

At the bottom of the page is a "Contact Me" hotlink.  That is the fastest way to get an answer about shipping.  Webby and Veen get that message before retty much any others.  Or you can go to their pages here on SV and send them an email.

[chemgoddess1]

First, it is not plated, it is anodized.  Totally different concept.  Second, yes, there have been instances where it has worn off.  Some people it happens to, some it does not.  Veena has had hers for several years and has had no issue.  I think the first ones that came out had more issues and XPole has since changed their process.

 

The pole is ALL titanium so the grip will remain the smae whether the color is there or not.  Plating involves putting a thin layer of one metal over a base of another metal.  Anodizing involves passing an electrical current through a metal to change its oxidative state so that it reflects a different color.  The color is still the same metal.

[chemgoddess1]

You will probably need to remove and replace that screw.  There is a tool that you can buy at the hardware store called a grabit screw extractor.  Take one of the other screws with you as you will need that for comparison (and also to get the correct size grabit).  You are lucky that you should be able to find metric hex screws where you are (this was not as easy in the US).  They are either called set screws or hex screws.  

[chemgoddess1]

It is really really really good to get experience dancing in front of people before entering any competition.  I don't know if you have videos up here or not but I would suggest starting taping yourself and sending it to people to get feedback.  There is so much more than being able to bust out moves….extension, musicality, position of your body in respect to audience, pointed toes, flow….so many things each and every video/performance is judged on.  Preparing for your performance is greuling also so if you were unsure about it this year it is probably for the best that you held back.

[chemgoddess1]

PS had a good year while Erica was there in regards to customer service but I see in a post from today she is no longer with the company.  I would like to hope that the good she did for their image continues but I have a sneaking suspicion that may not be the case.

 

I have a friend who purchased a PS multipiece a little over a year ago who had issues with the 2 pieces not lining up properly.  She did finally get it resolved but it took many phone calls and photos.

 

I would be more concerned about the finish than I would be as to which one was easier to set up or take down.  I probably will never buy a stainless pole as there are only a few months out of the year that my skin conditions and the pole work together.