New Poler From Chicago & Poling For Shorter Ladies

Viva La Muerte started this discussion · 3/5/2012

Hi Everyone! I've made one other post on here before when I was buying my pole but haven't had a chance to properly introduce myself to this wonderful community. I'm from Chicago and brand new to Pole dancing. I've been following the boards on here for awhile and doing lots of research and watching tons of videos to get myself prepared. I finally got my first pole this weekend at home and it's a Platinum Stages Stand Alone that was passed down to me by a friend for a great price. By trade I'm a burlesque dancer and have been doing burlesque for the last 5 years and have been looking for a new challenge and a new way to expand my dance skills by getting started with pole. I am so incredibly excited for this journey and glad I have found this site and all the great support & resources it has! Also wanted to throw the question out there to any polers who are shorter in height. I'm actually very short, under 5 ft. tall and have been wondering if shorter dancers face any diffuculties as they learn and what some of those difficulties are and how you deal with them. Does being tiny make a lot of moves harder? Are there any moves you can't do? Or moves that you think are great for shorter dancers? Any input on this is appreciated! Cheers, ~Viva La Muerte

36 replies

SamH · 3/5/2012
Hey first of all WELCOME!! I'm only 5'0 and I haven't had any trouble with any moves (well trouble just because my height 😉). I think some other shorter polers may have had trouble with grips using the knee pit but I never had those issues.
FuzzyNavel · 3/5/2012
Welcome! Shorter height is def. an advantage for pole dancers--lucky you! Any big power moves out from the pole are much more difficult the taller you are. Similar to gymnastics, many of the elite level dancers are petite. 😉
Lana Lee · 3/5/2012
I am 4'9" in height, very petite with very tiny hands. Every time I attend my pole dancing class, I usually try and nab one of the 50mm poles when we learn new spins and new strength holds. I find that with my tiny hands that are not able to fully wrap themselves around the 50mm pole, I work extra hard to improve my grip so I don't have accidents like flinging myself off the pole when trying a harder spin such as the reverse grab. When we do strength moves on poles, it makes me feel like I get ahead of the class because I'm working twice as hard than all the other girls who are much taller than me and using a 38mm sized pole. Not only am I gaining upper arm strength, I'm working on increasing grip strength. When I do pole climbs, I usually have to climb twice as much as the other girls to get to the top of the pole. It is exhausting work, but it helps me increase my strength and hopefully stamina much faster than if all I had to do was climb twice to reach the top. I do have a 45mm pole and I learn a lot of tricks on it from this website. When I try to do it at the dance studio on a 50mm pole, it makes me feel really uncomfortable at times. I really have to work hard to adjust because I'm going up in pole size and it's much harder this way. I would only be able to go down a pole size to the 38mm to be comfortable at doing the tricks I learn at home on a 45mm, but I'm stubborn so I'll struggle and get continously frustrated on the 50mm instead. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's easier and harder for shorter ladies for pole dancing. Guess the same goes with average and taller ladies as well. But know that every single person with Studio Veena is addicted to pole, so we do our best with what we've got and power through any sort of struggles that we come across in our own way. In the end we succeed, whether it takes us hours or days or months to accomplish.
Kyrsten · 3/6/2012
I'm not super short, but pretty short (5'2") and agree.. being petite is actually an advantage in pole, I think, when it comes to the power moves. Less to lift, and less limb to get in the way when you're doing combos. Like FuzzyNavel said re: gymnastics, plus you can do more with a short pole than a tall dancer would be able to. My pole is under 7 feet and I can do almost anything on it (except wear heels and do straight edges, haha). I do find I have more difficulty than some girls with certain tricks... twisted ballerina and the pixie spin come to mind, I don't have much torso to wrap around the pole. And the hip holds/jade split... again, super short torso makes positioning a little tricky. Also, we tend to have smaller hands which can make gripping bigger poles more difficult, though I personally feel comfortable on 45, 47 and 50 (never tried smaller). So some things will be a bit harder and some a bit easier depending on your body personally, but I don't think height and size plays a huge role in what you can and can't do overall.
Crystaljng · 3/6/2012
Same here. I am only 5 foot tall and I found most of my amazing instructors are my height. Pole dancing is very similar with acrabatics, and most of the acrabatic dancers are small, as it means less weight to lift and probably better flexibility? I can't fully grab a 50mm but it never bothers me. Welcome to pole dancing. I am exited for the journey in front of you!
polefairy · 3/6/2012
Welcome to StudioVeena 🌸 I am small aswell, I'm 4'11 and I think there are a few challenges that shorter polers face but also a few advantages that we have over taller dancers too. The biggest challenge for me is pole size. I used a standard 50mm for almost two years but became so disheartened and demotivated by the constant grip issues. It's very hard to deal with other polers saying things like ''oh you just need to improve strength and you'll be fine on the 50mm''. Yes, that is true that improved strength is definitely going to help but I feel that perhaps some ladies don't quite understand just how difficult it is to grip with tiny hands. I cannot touch my fingers to my thumb (or anywhere even close to it) when I grip the pole. I just sold my 50mm and bought a 40mm. While I admire those who choose to struggle through and use the 50mm in the hope that it makes them a better/stronger poler, for me, it's a decision between either, A) Keep the 50mm and become more frustrated and eventually stop practicing or B) Get a smaller pole and actually enjoy using it and achieving moves I can't grip for on a 50mm. Certain spins are a no-go for me on the 50mm because they are simply too dangerous with my compromised grip. Like a reverse grab for instance, I can not hold on to save my life on the 50mm. I only dance for myself, at home so I do not need to force myself to use a 50mm. For me, it's supposed to be a hobby and something I enjoy so I won't endure the frustration a bigger pole gives me if I don't need to. Then of course moves like the twisted ballerina can be tricky because there is not a lot of me to go around the pole but it's definitely not impossible. We have a big advantage in that we have plenty of space on the pole and the freedom to wear heels and still appear to be petite little things. Being short definitely isn't a hindrance! Enjoy the poling :)
Veena · 3/6/2012
Welcome!! As everyone said, your height can be an advantage!! 🥂 The pole world is moving away from the large 50mm poles and 45mm is becoming the preferred pole. I hope you enjoy Studioveena, the members are great!
PixiLouBell · 3/6/2012
i am 5'2, im not under 5foot but still pretty short, the only thing i am struggling with is grip. everything else advanced before my grip, my hands r small but i think the real problem is my weight, i weigh 125-130 so thats a little much for my height N i my muscles jus need developed to hold my weight. u sound tiny tho so u probably wont hav that problem!!
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
@ Rixi - you do NOT weight too much. You are just right! @ Viva - I'm 5'2" with small hands. I HATE 50mm poles! They irritate my wrists. My fingers can just barely get all the way around a 45mm. It's much nicer on my hands and wrists. I also love 38mm poles now as my hand can wrap all the way around it! If you want to see a comparison, I posted a bunch of pix to show the difference. https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_album/4ee3f549-75cc-4e73-97b3-4f300ac37250 I think that with grip strength exercises that are separate from pole, you don't need to struggle on a pole that is too big for your hands. IMO, it's better to have that security with your hands (which is especially true if they sweat.)
PixiLouBell · 3/6/2012
thnx sensual!! but im supposed to b 110/115 for my height but im really ok with my weight, kinda like bein "thick" lol im jus ready for my grip to stick!!
PixiLouBell · 3/6/2012
ps @senual, ur pics r really helpful, they really helped me decide on my 45 and so glad i did!! if i wud have gone with a 50 id b screwed since im still having a little problem gripping the 45. thank u for those pics!!
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
Rixi - That's not totally true. The average for a small frame is110-125. I'm 5'2", with a medium to large frame, so I "should" be 120-135ish. When I weighed 125, you could see my ribs! You gotta remember that you have a lot of muscle, and that will make you heavier despite being slim. Your body looks fabulous to me! I'd kill for your body right now. I'm in the process of dieting and exercising so I can get a body like you.
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
I'm glad my pix are helping. I know I had wished I could have had a visual, so I figured others might too. :)
Jojodanza · 3/6/2012
@Rixi If your "thick" than im obese! LOL Im 5'2 and weight 145-150!!! (too much junk in and around the trunk i guess lol) @Sensual Thanks for the pics! My hands are actually a bit smaller than yours so your pics are very helpful! And i hate poling on a 50mm.Thought it was me, but when i went to a friends house ( she has a 45mm lil mynx)..boy the difference! So im officially on a hiatus from poling until i buy my own pole. Im currently undecisive ....not sure if i should go with a 40mm or a 45mm 😕
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
Jojo - I have a 45 at home, and I recently went and played on the 38mm in Portland. The 38 was great wor my hands and actually easier for me to do knee pit grips. I didn't have any problem gripping the pole with my legs once I was warm (although I'm sure the powder coating helped with that.) On my 45, I can still grasp my pole okay (although I like the 38 better for hands) and I can do a lot of tricks fairly easy with my legs. I only really have difficulty with certain knee pit grips as the pole is wider and you really have to bend that leg to get it around the pole. That being said, they are both great, so I'm sure the 40 would be great as well. I know I totally didn't help you. What you can do is get one of them now, then get a second pole a while down the road when you are ready for a second pole (I will probably do that in a few years when I move.) The 45 will probably be easier for a lot of the leg based moves, but just a bit harder to grasp. If your hands are smaller than mine, then your hands will not fit all the way around the pole like mine. That is what I encounter with the 50mm and I HATE IT! Like I mentioned earlier, not being able to wrap my hand fully around the pole bothers my wrists. So, in that case the 40mm would be great for your hands, but will be an added challenge for your legs (but will tone them up faster as you will be squeezing much more.) If you have really thin legs then the 40 will probably be tough to grab onto with them. I have meaty thighs so I can grab on no problem.
PixiLouBell · 3/6/2012
@ jojo and sensual- thank u and u both look great!!! jojo obese lmao not hardly ur funny. and if u havent noticed i hav alot of junk in the trunk. lol and that 38 looks really nice! my hand jus barely fits around my 45, my fingers dont touch :/ lol
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
Rixi - I think you'd like the 40 or 38, although not sure how you'd like the chrome on the 40 (but there is always powder coating as an option right?) 😉
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
OMG, I just thought that it would be totally rad for someone to powder coat each piece of the x pole a different color! Rainbowey!
PixiLouBell · 3/6/2012
that wud be awesome sensual!!!! i wud love a rainbow pole, great idea!! and ur right chrome wud prob b too slick for me and my grip problem, i jus ordered some gloves actually! but really am considering a ps 38 then powdercoat it!!!
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
If you do go that route I wanna see pix!!!
Kaylie · 3/6/2012
I am petite and can't do anything... Yet!! I am just learning but I think all my fellow petite polers are amazing! Rixi, your body is kicking and sensual has got the belly dancing moves down!! I love what each of you offers me in the form of inspiration
PixiLouBell · 3/6/2012
oh def will if i ever do that sensual! @kaylie thank u!! and u will do great i cudnt do anything when i first started!
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
That's kay!! It's actually amazing how much you can learn once you put your mind to it. Let us know your progress. Nailing a new move is the best!
LindaLu · 3/7/2012
Hey shorties! I'm 5'0". As the others said, my height is mostly an advantage. I have much more room on the pole and around the pole to do tricks. The things I struggle with the most are knee and elbow grips. My short arms and legs make it hard to get a good hold. Sometimes my hand grip is an issue as well, since my fingers don't nearly come around the 50.
PippiParnasse · 3/7/2012
Welcome! I just moved to the Chicago area last year. I'm slightly on the taller side, but have had both tall and short students. Small hand size can be an issue, but the good news is you have more space to work with. Tall students always have to worry about kicking something or bumping into the ceiling. :)

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