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I had quite a few piercings when I started pole, navel was one of them (have taken it out since my pregnancies). I was an advanced dancer and did this as work for several years, never had any issues but kept to a plain barbell. Have you any other piercings? If so, how well did you heal? I tend to take a little longer to heal from piercings and I can't wear all types of metal, which is part of the reason I haven't had it re-done.

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Simplycountry – my prem is being tested every 3 months for possible CP, he didn't walk until over 2yrs old, around the pole! 🙂 Isn't it great that both are therapists have encouraged that? Whatever helps the kids can only be a good thing!!

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My kids are only little (daughter 3, son 2, youngest son 8 months) but the physio thought it was brilliant when she came for a home visit, as our son has recently learned to work (he was a 25 weeker) – around the pole!! 😀 My daughter loves to climb it and they think it's a piece of play equipment. I used to work as a dancer and that is of course something I'd never want for my little girl, so for me I love that she can learn how to dance if she wants to without any sexuality, that it's just for fun and fitness. Hubby thinks it's great for the kids to grow up around too 🙂

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I am so sorry hun. We lost a bub after our daughter, and we lost our eldest son's fraternal twin also. There are no words that can take your pain away, I wish there were. It's something no mother should have to experience <3

When it comes time to get back into pole, remember to be super kind on yourself. Your body has been through some big changes, take your time and go slowly into it – don't think you should be doing the same level if you are not up to it. You will get there with your dancing. Just remember that physical healing and emotional healing are very different things. Sometimes the pain inside can hold us back physically, and if that happens it's ok. So sorry for your loss x

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I take it this is just for US mums?

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I bought a 45 after learning on the 50s and 45s at the club. I loved it, but this is way back before the kids!! I tried a 38 brass this time but I'll be going back to SS instead. I love the static mode (especially as the kiddies always climb on/around it!!) so SS works much better for me. The 38 grip on the brass was awesome though! But I like the feel of the 45, just had that thought that maybe the 38 SS would be good…. I'll go the 45 though at least I know it 🙂

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Thanks for the input ladies 🙂

I'm really certain now 😀 It's just great to get other opinions!! Making a choice on a pole is a big call haha!!!

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I haven't read through all of these replies… but thought I'd share 🙂

I didn't get belly marks with my 3 babies, but I need injections daily to stay pregnant. Goodbye nice toned bum and welcome cellulite! And scarring. LOTS of scarring. My second baby decided to arrive at 25 weeks, via a lovely classical section (my other two were natural births thankfully). So there's another reminder for me. Then my last pregnancy made TERM 😀 Very exciting, also meant all my laparoscopy scars across my abdomen got stretched and 'lived in' along with my navel….

I used to dance for a living. I used to be toned, and a lot thinner than I am now (well, I used to have 'boy' hips, so that's actually a positive lol) Oh and I used to have boobs that didn't move when I jumped hahahaha! 🙂 Pregnancy (and pumping/breastfeeding) meant a big hello to gravity! But you know what, when I look at my beautiful kids, I am so proud!! My daughter just turned 3, my son just turned 2 (we lost his fraternal twin, and he was our 25 week preemie) and my youngest boy is 8 months old. Both boys are in therapy (physio & occupational therapy for both, speech & language and sensory etc for my prem plus a whole tonne of follow up and assessments!) Going through this has really changed my view on my body. I used to be sad about my muscles being separated, and all my scars, but then I look at the fighting these boys are doing and how far we've come in the therapy and how gorgeous my little girl is with her brothers, and all I can think is that I'd have stretchmarks and scars over every inch of my body if it gave me that experience again! It's not about not caring for me, I still get insecure at times, it just really makes me realise that how I view my body is not the way my kids view me. Now I'm either too busy to worry about how I look, or those times I do think about it, I know this was for these precious babies and I know that to them, I'm Mummy who fixes things and cuddles them and I'm the only one they want when they are scared or tired or sick. These changes to my body remind me that *I* have changed, and I am grateful for that change! 🙂

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You're in Aus too 🙂 Thanks hun, I feel the same with 50s and much prefered the 45. Thought I would love the 38 brass but I really enjoy the static mode (I know a lot of ladies like spinny mode better) I actually do feel the difference with the 38 to the 45 on leg grips, I didn't think there would be much dif when I got the 38 but there is! I never had a prob with the 45 for knee grip, maybe because I'm close to 5'8"?? I learnt with some tough pole ladies at work who taught me the descending angel on my second lesson and gave me tips to do the gemini and bow & arrow properly (I 'found' them accidently while playing lol) the first thing I was ever taught (and I'm sure I'm missing the name of this) was a handstand onto the pole into a cross knee release to pull myself up :/ They were *really* tough lol I've been much nicer on girlfriends wanting to play on the pole at my house!!  I was working construction when I started so I had muscles, missing a lot of those along with my brain since the kids 😉 Did you feel more secure on the 50 for leg grips?? I really feel the difference in hand grip and never feel that great on a 50… Thanks for the reply it's been great getting some opinions. I am going with the 45mm now. Get to order soon we move in just over a week 😀

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It's so good to get some different opinions on this, thanks 🙂 I have never used a PS pole but the 38 has been very different for me. I find the gripping is easy but silly as this may sound I feel like I have something nice and solid to hold onto with the 45. I figure that's because I learnt on 45's and 50's. My thought has been whether the 38mm would be better for static mode because it is easy to grip, but it doesn't make me feel secure like the 45's. Actually wondered if that was just because the 38 is the newest one I've tried because my friends have raved about the skinny poles, nice to hear these replies I'm quite confident to go ahead with the 45 now 😀

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That makes sense. I don't get that myself though, I struggle big time on the 50's, but I have a lot of damage too so it could be why (I used to work construction, all the heavy machinary and hand tools, operating & labouring etc very clever lol not a great job for a small woman!)

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Haha oh I just re-read that and it comes across the wrong way 🙂 Yeah, I meant that I feel I am not working my wrist strength as much as usual with this brass 38, not that it's harder. My kids are sick and I'm not getting much sleep here, it shows 😉 I'd like that back to what I had before. There's still a few moves I'm working at that I could do easily before the kids so I figure the 45 might help with strength a bit. Or leave me frustrated because I can't do anything haha!

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Oh another question, have you ladies noticed much difference in wrist strength on the skinnier poles?? I don't find that my strength is as good on this 38mm but can't say whether it's because it's brass, skinny or just that I haven't built back as much strength as I used to have. I've got a lot back though so thinking it might be the pole, has anyone else noticed that??

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Thanks for the replies ladies 🙂 I had hoped to join classes but Bobbi's is out as I have my 3 kids with me 24/7 (both boys in physio, occupational therapy and my prem in every other therapy too!) so for the next few years there's not much need for the 38mm spinny really… SheMoves used to do a mums and bubs class but it's not on offer at the moment 🙁 Which means I'll be doing a lot of static work, I used to be very fit and strong (worked construction before I got into pole!!) but only halfway back… and that last bit is the hardest hahahah!!!! I've never been on a SS 38, but am imagining that I'd prefer it for spin but less so for static. Wish I could try both out to know! Thanks for the advice, I'm leaning toward a 45 now 🙂 We move house in 2 weeks and then I can order!