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Strength and Fitness aside from pole dancing
Hey guys!
So, as every single one of us here knows, Poling is quite possibly the best activity one could take in order to get strong, fit, toned etc. It’s fun and challenging and there is always something new to learn or something to improve. However, learning new moves can be an absolute frustration-filled nightmare if your body isn’t ready for it yet. I, personally, do not have regular access to my pole. Right now, I pole once a week and that’s it (booo https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif ) and as I’m sure you’ll agree, that really isn’t enough practise to make a real impact on my overall strength or ability to progress to more difficult moves.
So, I have to resort to staying fit in other ways to compliment my pole work. I admit, my strength and fitness has gone to hell over the last couple of months due to writing my thesis and a promotion in work. I trained in a martial art for eight years and was always quite active so I am lucky in the sense that I do tone easily now BUT.. it takes consistency. Which is something I lack right now. My thesis is due this Friday and then I can have my life back. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
I am joining the gym close to my house which offers some classes, such as yoga, pilates, spinning etc. What would you guys recommend to be a good class to take to help me stay in good shape for when I do get to use my pole?Sorry for the long post. I just feel yucky when I’m not active as much as I want to be and now that it’s nearly over I want to get a plan together of what will help keep my body at an okay fitness level so that I’m not taking a few steps back when I do get to pole more!
Thanks,
Fairy xx
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10 Replies
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I dont have 24/7 access to my pole either, but when I do get to pole I pole until my muscles cant do a basic invert anymore! Usually about 2 hours straight with short breaks in front of a fan just so my sweat dries off so I dont slip so much. Then it takes me the rest of the week to recover! lol. I would recommend pilates, i havn’t tried it but I heard it is very helpful to pole because you really learn form work and how to engage the right muscles. I also recommend yoga because it gives you time specifically to focus on flexibility. Once I have the funds im gonna do a yoga class the day after my pole days. I also try to do cardio on the elliptical on my off days https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif
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I considering Pilates but my pole teacher is a pilates instructor and she said it sculpts your body and gives you a nice toned, postured look but is not as effective as poling strength wise. Obviously, I get to use my pole rarely so I can”t rely on that for strength and so, I’m here looking for something that will keep me strong on the days/weeks I can’t pole.! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
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Personally, I’d go for weights. A small weights bench and a few free weights don’t take up much space and I really feel the difference after a session. Now I have a pole in the flat, it’s pretty rare for me to do a weights session, as I’d much rather mess about on the pole, but I still use them from time to time. A bench isn’t even essential as you can usually find something suitable to kneel/lie on in the house.
I also do still use my skipping rope for cardio work, or as a warm up for pole. I have pretty amazing cardio fitness, which means that I don’t even start getting warm from the warm-ups in most classes but skipping for 6 mins is guaranteed to have me fully warmed up (usually, a little too mcuh so).
For low cost/space saving/high impact workouts, these two come a close second to pole.
And good luck with the thesis! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif
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Thank you Roadkillgerbil, that’s very helpful. I also find weights great but lack knowledge in how to use them correctly. So hopefully when I join the gym the personal trainer there will help me with that!
Thanks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
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I think the weights are a good idea. if you’re don’t have any using your own body weight works wonders too. Good old fashion push ups are great for your upper body strength needed to pole also will help with ur floorwork when doing moves where u are pushing off from the floor like body rolls and things. Crunchs for your abs make sure to work the whole abdominal region top,bottom and sides(obliques). Cardio will help with your endurance so that u can last through whole songs. Jacks, jumping rope, jogging etc…..good luck https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif
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I do both pilates and pole and I have to say- for me my pilates class builds much more strength than poling…however I don’t take a mat class I do it on a reformer. I find the mat classes don’t do nearly as much – but in general pilates is great for ab/core strength.
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I do aerial silk. The various climbs, pose and holds compliment poling well. In the middle of the class last week I wondered https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif if I would be able to do a twisted grip shouldermount V invert on the fabric https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_question.gif . My aerial teacher said she doesn’t think it will work cuz the fabric would move. I said I was going to try and i did it. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif She was surprised that i was able to do it on the silk. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif That is now one of my ways of mounting the fabric into a knee hook. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif
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Another idea is just going to play at your neighborhood playground. There are lots of poles there!! Just think back to what you used to do as a kid including the monkey bars, climbing up the slide and just basic climbing up their poles! It is a free place to practice and build up strength. Besides, we can all use a little time to go back to your childhood!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
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this is probably going to sound so basic… headstands and handstands!!
holding your body in a headstand without support really helps improve your poling skills and works your core. handstands help your arms and core. and they both complement poling as you will use them in routines https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif link these in with the likes of skipping, jacks, sit-ups and press ups and you’ll realy notice a difference in your overall fitness and your poling! good luck!
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Hi, joined the gym about 2 months ago and have been doing cardio, and upper and lower body weights, and then my abs. I haven’t been getting on my pole too much lately since I have my kids so much right now. At home I make sure I strtch and I also practice my handstands, headstands, and elbow stands and go through a little floor work routine. Once my girls go back to school next week and my ex and I have our regular schedule I’ll be able to do something more routine. Right now its’ whatever I can fit in.
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