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Pole Beginner Questions
Alright so I am SUPER new to pole. As in I’ve touched a pole ONE time and danced on it. So that being said, I am awaiting my poles delivery next week.
I want to know
1) what can I clean the pole with?
2) I dont really know much about grip but I do know that when I get nervous about dancing I get a little sweaty what can I use that I might have at home to help me with my grip?
3) I was told to use rubbing alcohol sprayed onto a towel to wipe the pole? I dont think thats right?
4) What spins would you suggest I start to work on?
5) I have a weak wrist -I can pole and spin and stuff for about 3 hours but it will ache and hurt the next day, should I get those grip gloves I see everywhere? Or should I wrap it? Also are there any workouts that would help me with my wrist?
6)Where are your favorite places to get cute dance outfits? -
11 Replies
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Hi Alexis, welcome to your pole journey and Studio Veena! Here are some responses to your questions, I think you will find this website a great resource!
1) Depending on the pole’s finish, rubbing alcohol is I think the most common cleaner used. I’ve also heard of white vinegar or vodka, these however are often claimed to help with grip, too. I use a combo of 97% rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
2) Again, some have claimed white vinegar helps with grip. You can wipe the pole down with it or dampen a rag and rub directly on hands. Everyone’s grip challenges are different, from being too dry or too sweaty (my biggest issue). There are a multitude of grip aids made for poling and everyone has their preference(s). However, the nervousness will subside as you gain confidence and also you will build grip strength with practice. Grip aids are helpful but if you become reliant on them, can hinder training true grip strength.
3) Yes, as you see above, rubbing alcohol is in fact the most commonly used for cleaning poles.
4) I would suggest that you stick to conditioning and flexibility stuff when you first get your pole, especially as a brand new learner. Veena has plenty of ideas and her program is progressive, so you get an idea of what you should be doing. She even has a 30 day take-off for new polers. If you are a home poler, I highly suggesting trying her curriculum out. You don’t want to risk injury from trying things that are too advanced and slow or hinder your pole journey before it even starts. It’s tempting to try all the “cool stuff” first, but a good foundation is the most important and learning to make the “basics” your own style will make you a better dancer in the long run.
5) Personally, I think a 3 hour training session as a beginner is a bit much. I’ve been poling two years and 3 hours would kill all kinds of body parts on me! Perhaps taking it slower would be the safest route. Additionally, the grip gloves are good for training new moves where you really need to be able to rely on your grip but I don’t think they are the best bet for beginners. Just like grip aids, the gloves can hinder you from developing grip strength that only plain old hard work and practice develops.
6) There are tons of website’s for pole wear and gear. You’ll find that everyone has a different style, I like a nice comfy bralette and yoga shorts over costumes when I train. But I know badkitty.com has a lot of fun dance outfits and they also carry the Pole Fit line, which are pole outfits exclusively designed for pole dancers. You will see that Veena wears a lot of stuff from Mikayogawear.com, they too have a line designed for pole wear. As you progress you will find that the more skin exposed is better for gripping, generally a sports bra and shorty shorts are the basics. -
Dry hands is a fantastic grip aid, it’s sold on eBay and amazon. It will stop the sweating, and should last throughout your entire workouts! The problem will usually get better as you progress!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DRY-HANDS-2-oz-Sport-Grip-Powder-for-Baseball-Golf-Pole-Dancing-Tennis-Etc-/120995355512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2be29b78
Rubbing alcohol works well with a stainless steel pole and brass, from what I’m told. It might be a little harsh on a finish like chrome or titanium gold. For my chrome I use white vinegar, mixed with a little bit of water to dilute it.
I think you should definitely get Veena’s lessons, they’re place in order and everything. Make sure your fully warmed up before you pole. It’s important to help prevent injuries! Some of the conditioning exercises may help with your wrist.
I’d suggest a wrist wrap over the gloves right now, (: Only because you still have to build the skin up for pole, for example I got one or two blisters when I started out, they were painful but now I have tougher skin where they were and now my hands don’t bother me at all when I pole.
Mighty Grip makes the wraps and gloves.
http://mightygrip.info/bmighty-grip-pole-fitnessb-upper-wrist-protectors-c-96_87.html
and check out Bad Kitty, Dirdy Birdy, and Mika Yoga Wear for pole clothes!
http://www.badkitty.com/index.php/pole/polefit-apparel.html
http://www.dirdybirdy.com
http://www.mikayogawear.com/activity/1/pole-fitness-clothing.phpLots of info there, but I hope it helps!! (:
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Hey there!
1) Cleaning the pole, I’ve used both windex (or whatever window cleaner was generally around), and water. I’ve heard of using rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and the list goes on. I think it depends a lot on the finish of your pole!
2) Hands getting sweaty is pretty common. My own hands get sweaty, but not enough for me to justify dishing out for a grip aid that I’m going to feel guilty using anyways- I just wipe my hands on a damp cloth. Eventually, when you and the pole are both warm and getting right into that grove, you will find that it all evens out 🙂 I don’t like the idea of having to depend on a grip aid to do my dancing, personally.
3) Again, it depends on the finish of your pole, but I’ve heard of it. Some people are pretty worried about hygiene.
4) I would suggest working on the Fireman spin, but only AFTER you’ve worked on a few other things. You’ll probably want to start getting into your strength training, and working out the kinds of ways to move around the pole. Get used to walking, bodywaves, sitting with your back against the pole, and getting more used to just dancing. Spins aren’t all they’re cracked up to be (I would know, I’ve been doing spins for 5 years!). You can also get used to pole sits, and even planks while in the beginner stage.
5) Strength training is a fantastic thing! I have stupid knees, and I work them every time I dance or work out. Sometimes even more than that. Unhappy wrists are something you need to watch for- especially if you use the computer or do any writing. Have you seen a doctor about it? Perhaps they could give you an idea of the things you could do to strengthen!
6) Unfortunately dance outfits are not made to fit my kind of body… but I know that there are a THOUSAND threads on here talking about sexy, fun clothes to wear! Some of the places people bring up often are Mika Dance wear, Bad Kitty, and even clothes from some of our Pole dance “stars” like Dirdy Birdy!Happy dancing!
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I think pretty much everything has already been said by others above
1. alcohol is safe for most pole finishes. I use it on brass, titanium gold, and chrome.
2.for grip- I was my hands really well and keep a towel damp with alcohol nearby. I use the towel to wipe sweat from my hands. I have really sweaty hands and if I’m gonna be inverted and doing things that I’m afraid of sliding out of I will use Dry Hands. it just temporarily keeps your hands from sweating. it’s like a liquid chalk. I’m not gonna risk falling out of a butterfly. I have noticed that as I get stronger and more comfortable with a move, my hands sweat less.
3.yes, you can use an alcohol sprayed towel to wipe the pole as you are practicing. it removes the oil from your hands and body. I haven’t tried vinegar yet.
4.good beginner spins are fireman, plank spin, extended leg spin. but even those spins are not necessarily beginner. spins are tough on your wrists and shoulders if you are not conditioned. I hurt my wrist in the beginning and was not able to do any spins for a month. Like everyone else said, I recommend veenas lessons. I wish I had done the 30 day take off because I would not have injured my wrist the way I did. And I was trying to be really careful but it still happened.
5. 3 hours is a long time to pole. start out with an hour and take atleast one rest day in between sessions. even that was too much for me in the beginning! I was lucky to be able to pole twice a week, I was so sore. try a wrist wrap if you feel like you need it. for me, they helped me learn how to keep my wrist in a neutral postion. they helped me feel what that was like. after using them a just a few times, I really didn’t need them anymore. I would start out using them in a session then take them off to see if I could keep my wrist neutral without them. it worked for me. I have them in my bag in case my forearms are sore and I don’t feel so strong but haven’t really needed to use them. Veena has wrist conditioning lessons, use them. it really helped me.I never tried the gloves.
6. bad kitty, mika yoga wear, Venm dance wear. Venm dance wear designer is here on studioveena sawyer venm -
*wash* not was. 🙂
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I just want everyone to know I can already do the fireman spin 😉
Thank you everyone for your lovely answers!! I apprecaite all the time you took to write to me
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Also I mean in total I can handle it if i want to dance for a long time. I try to pole around an hour.
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I just want to second what DestinyCorinne said about alcohol and chrome. I suspect they’re not friends. I used an alcohol-based cleaner on my first pole and it became miscolored. On my current pole I’ve not used alcohol and the finish still look good after years. So in case it’s chrome you’re going to use, consider something alcohol-free 🙂
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Thank you Lina!
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Hi Alexis, welcome to the site!!!
1 Cleaning with steam is my favorite way, rubbing alcohol, windex can work too. If your pole is Powder coated (colored, not metal finish) then do not use rubbing alcohol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdjeYnLLaBw2 Dry hands is good for sweaty hands. Mighty grip might work too.
Here’s a tip for dancing on your pole if the weather is cold and the room is cold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgvvc2uvcFw3 Start with the 30 day take off program (spins are not beginner moves!!) if you have weak wrists then you need to work on strength before doing spins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4KzMIIbZH0&list=PLyXWQXP3dueofybLatPPuLCbvfSPF2oSF&index=26
Some more tips for new dancers 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSYHrZjzSnU
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Whoops, messed up the link for the 30 day take off! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4KzMIIbZH0
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