[Pretty Pixie]

There are many choices for diameter and each has its pros and cons. Small hands definitely benefit from a small diameter like 40mm or less but your legs, sides, armpits etc will have more gripping surface on a larger diameter pole. That’s one reason the average here in the US is 45mm. It’s a nice happy medium, and the one I have at home. I only have space for one pole so I went with that. At the studio I try to use their 40mm because I have smaller hands and the grip is so secure. You can train your other points of contact to be good with the smaller diameter but in the beginning it is a bit more work though absolutely possible.

[Pretty Pixie]

had a lot of tragedy befall my family in 2019 that sent me into a depressed state of mind for many months. I was only able to pole once, maybe twice, a month on average the entire year. I wish I was one of those types who can “dance away the sadness” but I’m not. I eventually chose to pull myself up and get back to my life. I actually made a “resolution”. And so I’ve started taking a pole class once a week and doing at least one home workout a week, mostly pole conditioning so far. My callouses are gone and my skin feels virgin again but otherwise it’s going surprisingly well. Eventually I hope to get back to 3 workouts a week, which is where I feel the best.

[Pretty Pixie]

Hi!
The 30 day take off actually uses the beginner lessons, it’s just a follow along workout schedule made up for you so you can learn how to structure your workout. It’s a very convenient way to start here.

[Pretty Pixie]

Orlando Florida USA ☀️

[Pretty Pixie]

I started to lightly stretch (just to where you feel it, not going to any pain) about 6 weeks after my injury usually with a relaxed yoga flow. Consistency is the key to flexibility for me, so once I’m actually consistent I’ll see results quickly. However fear plays a big role after an injury and so it took me all of that 8 months to relax enough in my splits again, so I could see any progress. Then, it happened again and it literally took the same path to recovery. After about 8 months I was drinking wine with friends and we were goofing off and I dropped into my splits flat and that gave me the courage to start working on them again and when I did get consistent, I got them back within a couple months. Now it’s been a couple years injury free! Sounds like you’re already doing better than me, hopefully your injury is not as bad and these will be just worst case scenarios!

[Pretty Pixie]

Absolutely! You will get it back but understand it will take time. I couldn’t walk for a week, incredibly sore for another, I started to pole again after three weeks completely off, but no stretching yet. All said and done, it took 8 months to get back to where I could stretch regularly again, however there was still a dull ache afterwards for another few months. Actually, even to this day if I go to hard, I’ll feel it. I tore my other side soon after the first side healed. So another 8-9 months for that one. I’m healed from both now, and I have my splits back so don’t worry too much about it, it’s not the end of the world. Time heals all wounds, and though I know you’re probably in tears right now, things get better faster than you think. Good luck and sending healing vibes!

[Pretty Pixie]

Only just seeing this, but I definitely want to jump in to say again that you’re not alone. This is my life right now. My one major fall/slip where I sprained my ankle was the catalyst to my fear. I was home alone and I had to crawl around to care for it myself until my family came home. I have since conquered that move, but my fearlessness from before the injury is gone. Way gone. Pole is scary. And that’s ok. It makes me feel even more like superwoman when I’ve done a session, whether I just did basics or something more advanced. We’re all super-people for doing this!!
I could honestly go on and on with many points you bring up because I’m right there with you, but long story short, fear can be a good thing sometimes and being cautious is just plain smart in this crazy pole life! Just remember those rest days and *try* not to let the pressure of challenges push you faster than you feel comfortable.

[Pretty Pixie]

Thank you! 🙂 Oh I see. With those options I think it’s the rainbow.

[Pretty Pixie]

That looks like a cross knee or cross ankle release variation when you grab the pole and push out for a bridge or crescent moon.

[Pretty Pixie]

We all heal differently, so I can’t really say if you’ll be ready in 3 months, but I can say that you’ll be surprised at how much this injury affects your pole life. Not only can you not stretch the affected hamstring, sometimes even holding it straight is difficult, you won’t be able to use it as a source of power either. I’m very sorry you are dealing with this… it is devastating. 🙁

[Pretty Pixie]

So I had not actually torn my hamstring when I posted in this thread originally.. it ended up healing completely within a couple weeks. However, I did tear my left hamstring at the upper attachment in March of 2015 (heard the dreaded pop and couldn’t walk for a couple days, couldn’t pole for weeks) and was only able to begin a light stretching routine again in October 2015, so 7ish months. At the time I was warmed up, at the end of my pole workout, and wanted “one more time” to perfect something. Bad idea. Did all the same wishing I’d not done that last try, why me’s, all the same things we all go through after this seemingly out of nowhere injury. I finally got my splits back after a good 3-5 days a week strengthening and stretching routine. I was so happy. I was still careful of that left hamstring, definitely babying it, but it felt strong and flexible. Then, I have a situation at home and have to start going to a studio once a week for my workout and after a pole class working on a hamstring intensive trick I decided to try to get into my split once more and I heard the familiar pop again, this time in my right hamstring. Ugh. I couldn’t believe I did this to myself again, basically in the same way. So my thoughts are, warming up your hamstrings before flex training is imperative, but them being tired from a full on strength workout is not a good time to push them. There’s a happy little medium you’ve got to hit to be safe. Warm enough but not fatigued. So now if I understand correctly, you shouldn’t flex train before a strength workout because flex training makes the muscle weak and, to my experience, you shouldn’t flex train after a hardcore strength workout either. It’s all a balancing act fitting in pole, conditioning, flex training, cross training, and rest days. I’m going insane trying to figure out a workout schedule, and it’s especially difficult when I see pole stars and instructors poling on a daily basis. How do they do it?

[Pretty Pixie]

I’m different I guess. A couple months ago I started renovating my house and had to take down my pole and start taking studio classes. I’m a mess there. My pole and I were totally connected, I feel like superwoman on her, but at the studio my hands slip and my muscles shake, probably from nervousness. I’m scared to do things that I’m not afraid of at home. And God, the poles are so high I get crazy nervous about that too. I don’t trust myself on those poles. I’m working on it though, trying to go 3-4 times a week to get better with them. Everyone is different.

[Pretty Pixie]

Not an expert, but, some things I notice I like are straight legs, using the tips of platforms (keeping toes pointed), deep anterior pelvic tilting creating sexy lower back arches, and slow controlled deliberate movements.

[Pretty Pixie]

Could possibly be the age of the poles? Probably at the studio they are older and get more use, so they are grippier.

[Pretty Pixie]

I rarely use twisted grip; being a veener I’ve learned the dangers, and while it’s easy for me, I prefer to work on alternative grips whenever possible. I don’t frequent studios, but other than foundation moves, if I don’t personally think a trick is pretty, I don’t waste time on it. Sometimes I’ll start to like one I previously didn’t care for, or a variation of it, and that’s when I’ll take the time and put in the effort. Stick to your convictions, if you don’t want to do TG, don’t. It’s your body and no instructor knows it better than you do!