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Body Types and Pole tricks
Do you ever feel that maybe because your body type is the reason why you can't do certian pole tricks or combos. I been thinking about this lately, I am wicked strong ( able to iron x, do almost anytype of planche, and table top very well) but I am not able to do twisted grip dead lifts and I am starting to think it has to do with my body type.
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34 Replies
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Absolutely! I am a huge believer that not every trick is for every body. ESPECIALLY, when you're talking about twisted grips. Twisted grip requires a huge amount of shoulder strength and flexibility, and even when done properly still puts a lot of strain on some really small muscles.
If you can iron X though, I'd say you're one bad-ass poler anyway so I wouldn't spend too much time or energy dreaming of moves that are not meant to be. 🙂
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I agree dustbunny! I’m not even capable of twisted grip because it requires such shoulder flexibility.
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Shoulder flexibility can be gained though – you want to be overly flexible if you're doing twisted grip and you also need to be able to twist it enough around. Try also playing with the height of your TG.
Also will mention that TG is only on way of doing things – everything done TG can be done true grip (aka chinese grip, cup grip.) Cup grip is better because you can keep your shoulder aligned better.
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I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do iron x. I could probably dead lift tg as I have unnaturally bendy shoulders. My chiropractor and his tech/my PT are always telling me they’ve been doing this job a long time and they’re freaked out by the ROM in my shoulders that I have without trying. The more I work with upper body conditioning though, the farther away I get. I’ve lost serious muscle mass in the past two months and have no idea why.
So being half Russian, I expected to inherit the Russian gumbi genes. And I kinda did in my shoulders. Legs, not so much….I was watching Miss Pole Russia and almost all of the girls had hyper extended knees and did something ridiculously bendy like spatchcock, lying dove, or marchenko…the runner up was probably previously a gymnast. She had an amazing set of power moves.
In the end I’m afraid that I’ll never be able to do super duper strength moves like the iron x because while I grow abs like they’re oranges, upper body muscle does not…happen. I’m hoping later down the road when I’m officially done growing (I’m 20 and grew another inch this year…I don’t care how tall I get as long as my feet are done growing |: ) my muscles will decide they’re mature enough to bulk up. But right now it’s a lost cause. I can, and will, be focusing a ton on flexibility moves. And I’m excited to excel in that area :3
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I have a really strong Iron X and I’m close to a true grip deadlift, but I can never quite get there… I think body shape definitely plays a role there… Those lifts will be a lot harder for those who are taller or those who carry a lot of weight in the lower body… I am petite but I have a very small upper body and slim shoulders with wide hips and bigger thighs. The body type most conducive to pole, I think, would be short and petite, broad shouldered with slim hips
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Of course, it’s not that tall ladies or pear shapes CAN’T do those tricks, but they will have to train a little harder because of the weight distribution!
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Of course, it’s not that tall ladies or pear shapes CAN’T do those tricks, but they will have to train a little harder because of the weight distribution!
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Finding balance points when folded in half are very difficult for me; my "fold point" gives me 42" of leg and 26" of upper body.
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I agree also that body type plays a part.. I’m on 5’7 but I look like a giant when I get pics with the “pole stars” and even most intructors I’ve had.. so for any lifts my feet have to go a lot higher in the air to get past my head.. haha
I think anyone can do almost anything… I just think it takes some people a hell of a lot more effort to get there
As far as the deadlift goes…. are u in a twisted grip when u lower to your iron x?? if that’s not the grip u have that might be ypur problem….. also I would make sure u are lowering and raising back up.. don’t just stall at the x and drop out of it……… if you continue to lower and raise back up till u can lower all the way to the ground..well there’s your lift…….
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I am in TG when I lower into my iron x and I have a very bad habit of dropping out of it, I need to start bring myself back to the pole more with the iron x
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Well look on the bright side then….. its probably less of a body type issue and more of a practice thing!!
If your not solid in bringing yourself back to the pole from the top of the move that’s why your not going to be able to deadlift
Easy right?? Haha….. I wish it was just as easy to explain the moves as to do them! My brain gets it… my body just does not!
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With my wide hip bone and lean legs, I actually don’t see how I can grip the pole with my thighs like in a plank position. If I cross my legs, I think it would be possible, but I have seen some that can grip real close to the pelvis, knees side by side and hands free. Is this something that someone with my body structure just can’t do?
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I take it as you have a prominent thigh gap. That should make a difference of course, if it’s impossible is hard to say without seeing. A thicker pole should ease it, but otherwise just cross your ankles, most need to do that to feel safe even without having a big gap.
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Yes, crossing your ankles can help, also keep in mind that just like with Pole Sits and other Plank type moves you can tip one hip locking the legs into place. You’ll find more tips for this in the lessons. 🙂
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I am skinny and have a ton of difficulty with thigh grips, too. Climbing is also painful because I’m basically gripping the pole with my bones. Ouch!
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