[clmeverhart35440]

Just to ping in here with some studio suggestions: Poletential, SFPD, and Vertical Barre. All highly recommended. The instructors and the vibe in all places are super solid. As for classes, not sure what you’re looking for or what your level is (“intermediate” means different things different places and to different people). Poletential is all mixed classes, so it doesn’t matter there, but there are classes specifically for floor/low-pole work. Vertical Barre and SFPD have some specialized handstand and flex courses, last I checked. Lots of options. I’d suggest checking them out.

[clmeverhart35440]

5’11”, 185lb lady here! Honestly, the amount of resources for people who are both tall and physically “heavy” (though around 20% body fat) are pretty low. I know I used to search for people in my situation, but I couldn’t find much.

Anyhoo, it will take some months of consistent effort to get your grip strength up, but it will come. I suggest, if you have them available, working on 50mm instead of the 45s. Crosstraining is great, but honestly nothing builds up your grip like having to hold up your body weight with just your hands. Polers who rock climb on the side are perfect examples of this. Until you no longer have to “hang on for your life,” I’d suggest against one armed spins. Those require significant shoulder engagement and grip strength to pull off, and injuring yourself because of trying too early will only lead to frustration.

I cross trained with lyra, so my grip came pretty quickly. Physics, unfortunately, will very rarely be on your side–but you can always get stronger and your length will look significantly more dramatic in the air. Keep at it!