[Amelia72]

I found I didn’t make progress in a studio here- the classes were too spin based, and I had grip problems. When I stopped going and bought my own pole, I could focus a lot more on stuff that was easier to me- I focused more on tricks on the pole, and using the spinning mode. I worked on spins as well, but they will never be my strong point.

[Amelia72]

Thanks, will have a look through that 🙂

[Amelia72]

I use XPole’s A frame,which is easy to put up alone after you’ve practised with someone a few times. I wouldn’t leave it up permanently because I think it can rust, but on a dry day you could leave it up most of the day in case.
Regardless of the rigging, silks should always be left in a dry environment anyway 🙂

I find the A frame for hoop, aerial yoga and a bit of simple silks perfect, and it was £400,so not too expensive 🙂

[Amelia72]

I have tried two pole teachers in my time, one in my home town, where I don’t live so only went twice but loved it, and another, where I found she focussed too much on what I couldn’t do, which was, and still is, static spins. Having moved onto only poling at home, I could focus more on my strengths- which as a beginner were more poses and climbs than static spins. I have small or lazy hands, which mean that for me, I ideally need a 40mm pole.
There are so many beginner moves which don’t involve hand strength, but promote other strength or fitness, which I never learnt in class.
I found one pole studio near where I live now, which when you book a class, in the terms and conditions, they state they are not responsible for anything, even in cases of negligence! Which proves you have to be careful which studios you trust!

[Amelia72]

Somewhere where you can put your phone/camera to film yourself! I have this problem constantly now, as my flat is so tiny, I can’t train inside, so have to go outside in the park with my hoop…and constantly am worried about either my camera falling over or someone walking off with it! So really important is somewhere in your room where your phone can record your freestyles without anyone holding it! I know how many times I’ve thought it was safely wedged between books or CDs and then it fell over and I could never know how good it was haha 😛

[Amelia72]

I have the clear ones by Pleasers which just have a toe strap- no ankle strap- and am pleased with the stability and quality. My feet fit just perfect into them, then my feet get hot which welds them to my feet even more- perfect! I was scared shoes with buckles or other fastening could damage my pole, so I stuck with these mules, and found them perfect for my needs! I always appreciated dancing baregfoot all the more after, as although the shoes themselves stuck to my pole, my feet were always ultra sweaty 😛

[Amelia72]

Have you been trying different grips in butterfly? I could only do it in a split grip,meaning when i couldn’t progress onto caterpillar… Elbow grip would be another option,as well as looking at the bent leg,knowing what is holding you up is always important!

[Amelia72]

I had private lessons for a while but found my instructor focussed too much on what wasn’t right for me,too many spins and not enough figures etc. Also there was no motivation to crack moves because someone else in the class could,so maybe try both?

[Amelia72]

I think I had a similar problem at the beginning. Can’t remember what we did,but we never had the problem again. Maybe you could try tightening the top screws and twisting the base til you find the locking part?

[Amelia72]

I personally preferred to invest in my own new pole than buy a used one. That way, I knew it wasn’t broken or anything,but that’s how paranoid you get when its about your own safety 🙂

[Amelia72]

I definitely wouldn’t feel safe on the Rpole, I felt my x stage lite had some wobbly days…

[Amelia72]

Yeah,that would be quite a trek on a regular basis :-\

But I will definitely keep you in mind,as my boss might possibly send me to Tamworth some day,or if I pass through some time 🙂

[Amelia72]

I feel that some playground poles are narrower than a 45mm pole, so check your hands first in case a 40mm pole might be better- I sometimes think 40mm is better for me than 45mm, because I have small hand which are sometimes lazy and don’t grip properly.

[Amelia72]

I will have to buy an A Frame soon and move on to hoop soon…my boyfriend and I are moving onto a boat, so my beloved pole had to go 🙁

But am excited to start aerial hoop 🙂

Does the A frame come with pins and screws and whatever to attach the hoop to it?
Or would I need to buy that seperately? Or would the hoop have the attachments included?