[PoleFeline]

Thanks. After I posted I read through all these posts and realized that is exactly what I need to be doing!!

[PoleFeline]

I take lessons in a studio and they are very helpful and nice but I took about 8 months off for a big move and rehab on a house we bought and since then haven't been able to get back into a regular routine. I go once or twice and then don't go again for 3 or 4 weeks. I was so excited at first and bought a pole right away. It has it's own room and everything. When I go to class now I feel like I am way behind what everyone else is doing. I can barely climb and can't even begin to invert. I feel discouraged and somewhat embarrassed. Also, I think that I have hurt my shoulder at some point. It's nothing that bothers me on a regular basis but when I lift my arm a certain way it really hurts and it seems to flare up when I'm on the pole. I think I have been trying to do things that I'm not prepared for or strong enough for. I was wondering if any of you could suggest exercises that will help me get stronger to help me prevent injury. This is a hard sport and I want to get better at it. I really enjoy it a lot but am feeling discouraged. Thanks.

[PoleFeline]

Hey Everyone. Okay, this may seem like a stupid question but I cannot figure out where to go on this website to find the 30 Day Take Off. I think the idea of it is perfect for me. I have a pole at home I hardly touch bc I'm not good at it. I have had a pole studio membership for a year but actually only have about 4months of actual classes under my belt so I'm definitely a newbie. I missed most of the year bc we moved into a fixer upper and it consumed me. I couldn't live in that mess so every extra minute was used to get the house in order. I am now officially done except for little things and have started going back to my studio classes but really want to take advantage of this site which I love but usually just watch videos on….!!! Thanks in advance for help.

[PoleFeline]

My husband has vertigo and I sympathize with you. It's terrible. He describes it like being drunk with the bed spins….? Luckily I haven't felt that way in many years! LOL!. I like the spin pole better. It seems the spins are easier but yes, it does make me dizzy.

I wanted to ask if you are at the point where you are experiencing hot flashes? I am and they definitely interfere with being able to complete spins, etc. I can't keep my grip dry enough to hold on. I usually end up hanging off one are before I slide down…..! So frustrating. I have tried every dry hand product I can find and nothing seems to keep them dry. I was doing HRT but the side effects weren't worth it so I quit and decided to tough it out and maybe they'll go away. I feel like I can't progress because of it. 

[PoleFeline]

I am about 50lbs overweight and am 50 years old. Just started pole last year. I've had some interruptions but am getting back into the classes now. It can be intimidating bc everyone else seems to have a better figure but when I think about it I realize that I have always been intimidated by other women's bodies. Even when I was young, thin and gorgeous. I never felt like I measured up. Being the age I am I realize how ridiculous that is. What is the saying…….people only think about someone else for about 15 seconds before they're on to something else. Everyone has better things to do and are probably very self conscious about their own bodies. Hey, are women ever happy with the way they look? It's hard sometimes but this is so fun and liberating that I just try to put it out of my mind and enjoy it!

[PoleFeline]

Hey, I've been a member for a while but haven't been on the site much in about 6 or 8 months. SO, this may sound like a stupid question but, where is the 30 Day Take Off located as far as daily task, tips, etc.? Thanks ya'll! I look forward to getting to know you all better and improve my pole skills!!

[PoleFeline]

One other thing you mentioned is your hands hurting. OMG! Mine ache so bad sometimes I thought I was getting arthritis! There are muscles everywhere and they are all getting a workout. I purchased a Gripmaster. It's a hand/finger exercising device for people who play guitar and other sports for strengthening fingers and hands. I use that every day, 50 times on each hand. It sits in the console of my car and I just use it while I'm sitting at a traffic light. Mindless activity but I think it has helped.  I also read someone else saying to take days off in between workouts and that's really good advice. Like I said earlier, I've only been doing this for 3 months. I find that when I  can't get to class for a few days the stuff we were learning at the last class is much easier to do. Let those muscles rest or it's just too much on your body. We should stay in touch and keep each other motivated. Keep me posted.

[PoleFeline]

This is such an interesting subject and I'm glad to hear there is someone else who is frustrated! I LOVE all the support that everyone gives on this site. I am not sure if you live in an area where you can take a class but I know that helps a lot. I have a pole at home and take a class a few days a week. I have been doing this for 3 months and feel like I can't do anything! I watch all these user videos and wonder how long it took these people to learn to do what they do. I am overweight by about 50lbs so I know that holds me back. But, I have always been very strong. Even so, I go to class and there will be a new student who jumps in and does inverts right away or masters a spin the first time???!!!!!! It just amazes me. Everyone learns at a different level and I just keep plugging away. I'm sitting here this morning getting ready to move and paint a new house, etc. and I know I'm going to be missing a lot of classes until we're settled. I'm worrying about losing the progress I've made but life happens. I am not going to give up because I love this and want to learn the beautiful are of doing it well. I love MemphisKitten's suggestion of learning 2 moves per week. I think that's a great idea without overdoing it. Also, if you don't have Veena's lessons definitely sign up. She is so clear in her lessons that there is no room for error. Stay on this website and let us all help answer questions and keep you motivated! Good luck and keep us posted!!

[PoleFeline]

I don't know about Jenyne but I am blonde and fair skinned. I don't tan in the sun but use an airbrush system that I purchased off of http://www.thetanningstore.com. It's about $250 but I've had it since about 2004. The product I use is called Focus and they sell it on the same website. They've got awesome customer service for any help you need. I have learned how to spray tan myself. After buying all those different bottles of tanning products and comparing the results this really is the most economic way to do it. I love the way it looks. I exfoliate with a Baiden Mitten (google it) and this IS THE MOST important step in self tanning. Since I've been using the Baiden Mitten (which I just got a few months ago) I have had the best results ever. I don't get dark spots, the tan looks completely natural. I originally purchased the Baiden Mitten to exfoliate my legs bc I read that someone had used it and it removed her age spots. Well, with a little bit of Retin A and the Baiden Mitten I no longer have age spots on my legs anymore. It's an absolutely amazing product. Hope all of this helps. I keep my "tan" all summer. As it starts to fade I exfoliate with the Baiden Mitten and spray away and look great!

[PoleFeline]

Maybe it's somewhere in this thread but I didn't see it……can someone tell me where I can see this video? I'm dying of curiosity. Thanks!

[PoleFeline]

Someone suggested Gripmaster for strengthening your grip. I immediately ordered it. Can't wait for it to arrive. I am in my car a lot for work and am going to keep it in there to use while I drive. I think that will help a lot!

[PoleFeline]

Hey All! How does a foam roller help? I'm very new and am trying to figure out what works best. Have a pole at home but haven't used it. Just mostly practice in class. Thanks.

[PoleFeline]

This is THE most frustrating thing in my opinion. I just started poling in March so I'm not very good. I get very frustrated bc I am having hot flashes so on top of normal sweating I am flashing ever 20 minutes. Plus, I'm over weight. Seems like no matter what I try I'm down the pole in one spin which doesn't lend itself to improving very much. I guess it could still be that my grip isn't strong enough. I don't know what else to do as I've tried all the grips, fans, gloves, etc. I so want to put everything I have learned together in a routine of sorts but it's just not happening. I've almost given up due to this. I have thought about botox in my hands to stop sweating. Haven't asked the doctor yet. I can't even do floor work bc I slip all over the floor. When we are warming up my feet slide all over the place. Sucks is all I can say. I'm going to look into the glycopyrrolate. Sounds like it may help a lot!

[PoleFeline]

I just started poling in March and I am experiencing the same things. I guess you just have to start all over. Your muscles have memory so you will probably bounce back quicker than if you were just starting. Obviously you have to be extremely strong to do this sport. Give yourself a break. I have never had a baby but I can only imagine how it must affect your body not to mention the sleepless hours being a Mother! Just get on your pole and enjoy yourself. You'll get your strength back before you know it!

[PoleFeline]

I have just started pole dancing on March 5th. I have always been an exerciser but was so sick of the same old kickboxing, step, boot camp classes, running and weight lifting that I would rather watch paint dry. The result was that I gained weight because I didn't go to the classes because I absolutely dreaded every minute of them. I am going to be 50 in September and always get mistaken for someone much younger………except my weight. I need to lose about 50lbs. I want to lose weight and go into my 50's feeling and looking great and it's really important to me to remain strong and healthy as I age and I think exercising is absolutely necessary in order to do so. I started searching for anything dance related for exercise because I've always loved choreographed dancing. When I found the pole class studio I was really surprised and thought it was for bachelorette parties and young girls AND skinny girls! I went to the free first class and started watching Youtube videos and was hooked. I've signed up for an annual membership at the studio where I take classes. I joined this website, bought shoes, grip, pole, moved the kitchen table and chairs out of the kitchen so I can use my pole it whenever I want until we move and I can get a room all my own. I have many bruises and sore spots to prove how hard I'm working at this I look like I've been beaten! I find it to be so incredibly liberating. I put on those shoes and those little pants the girls wear and get lost in it. I was so intimidated the first time I went into that classroom but there are women there of all shapes and sizes and no one judges. I want to master the art of this beautiful way to stay fit. And, it has started a whole different type of shoe obsession for me! Love it!!