-
Weird grip question!
Hey everyone!
I'm having some odd grip issues, and I suppose I never thought about it till now. Depending on my grip type, and what I'm doing, it seems I just can't get what I want! Such as a split grip hold, I slide a bit so I can't keep the hold, but with a split grip SPIN, I grip too much, and my spin is very slow!
I can climb the pole no problem, using both hands and feet, and sit on the pole, and all that jazz. Mostly my spins are fine, but get worse when my legs aren't on the pole…I realize that sounds a lot like "newbie grip," but I don't really know how to fix it. I've been doing, say, a carousel spin for a LONG time, and I can't imagine why I would have that issue these days! I've just never been able to get a faster spin with it!
Other things, such as fan kicks, I have no issues with…
Am I just weird? Is there something I can do? I have NO money (srsly) so telling me to buy grip aids and whatnot is not exactly within my range. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif Besides, I'd like to be able to just do it, without using aids and things, so that I don't have to worry about constantly buying stuff so I can pole dance, or making sure I've got it all set up. Not very sexy when I'm like "Oh, hang on, I have to put on this grip aid…"
-
5 Replies
-
If it helps, I'm at an intermediate/advanced level (working on aysha, holly drop, dove, shoulder mount) and still have a lot of problem with split grips. I only just learned carousel, for instance. So some of the problem might just be that split grips are hard. (Of course I fully expect some people will come along and say they have no problem with split grip, but do with x other grip. In which case I'll revise to split grips are hard for some people.)
I can tell you, when I do a chair spin with a split grip it barely spins at all. Boomerang and carousel do spin, but I have to put a bit of momentum into them. So I think it's just practice, and never mistaking the split grip for an easy grip 🙂
-
Hi Runemist!
This is the way I have been taught to do all split grip spins and it works for me:
Top arm pulls, bottom arm pushes. My instructor would not allow us to even clasp the bottom hand on to the pole so that we wouldn't be tempted to grip it as we spin and really feel the pushing of the arm.
Try really pushing with your palm instead of griping with your hand, maybe your body being next to the pole instead of facing it unconsciously makes you grip it with your bottom hand and slows your spin down.
Hope that helps!
-
Cinara: Thanks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif Sometimes I wonder if this is supposed to be hard, or if I'm just doing it wrong!
Pink Bubbles: It's actually funny, it's more when I'm facing the pole that I go really slow, but with something like the chair spin, I go fast enough!
Usually when I'm doing the split grip, I'm not quite strong enough to totally pull with my top arm. It is entirely possible that I'm just not strong enough, but…well, I don't know how to GET strong enough without doing it! I try to pull, yes, but…it's often that my hands slide a LOT. I always feel like if I didn't slide, I'd be able to do the hold for at least a few seconds! I'm not a sweaty person, I keep everything clean…so, that's kind of the issue 🙁
-
Your posts always make me smile 'pole twin'!
Split grip has always been a challenge for me too – I now believe it's because my head doesn't focus on the correct pressures between each hand – for example, when trying the split grip mount or half handspring or whatever it's called (!) I had too much weight on my bottom hand – I struggle to share the love between my hands! I think it's the same problem with my superman too. I am strong, so I know it's not a strength issue, it's just a brain issue! so, unfortunately I think these type of problems are just a matter of continuing to practice so you imprint the correct technique in your brain! It seems like forever at the time, but when i think back to a year ago and I couldn't even do an invert consistently and how far I've come – the frustrating thing with pole is that gains are often slow and therefore seem unsatisfying, however, fast forward a month and look back and I bet you have made some progress that you are happy with – it's just hard to notice at the time!
-
It really helped me when I was in a workshop and the teacher said to hold the bottom thumb and forefinger in a donut to allow for good spin. 🙂
Log in to reply.