[skramamme]

Zoilife I would have a lot of trouble nowadays I think (aside from the whole “being in my 40’s”) as chrome and I just don’t like each other very much, although I can imagine how cooling it would be in a crowded space.
Funny how it’s changed so much- I have never used chrome in clubs, mainly brass (thank god), a stainless steel (slippery as all get out) and two paint covered street poles… that last place was Classy with a capital “C” haha.
Oh, and one place that had a ridiculous plastic light up pole which was a gazzilion mm wide and hard as all hell to grip :p
I assume it had a steel pole inside? IDK, I haven’t encountered another one like it, thankfully. It was fun to look at but a nightmare to hold onto. It was also the first ever spinning pole I used so yeah, I used a grip of death a wee bit simply because it was like trying to wrap my hands around barber pole hahaha

[skramamme]

Here’s the isting
I have 1 x 38mm brass spinning semi permanent pole for pole dancing..

It was made by Pussy Cat poles in Qld and is in excellent condition having been used only once for a Miss Pole SA competition, can be made stationary or left spinning (can be locked off to stationary).

It is approx 3.7 metres long, can be cut down to fit your ceiling height….

Great value.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-cbd/other-sports-fitness/1-x-38mm-brass-pussy-cat-spinning-pole/1075055796

Hope that’s of some help 🙂

[skramamme]

I have heard really good things about them. Also, I saw some poles on sale on gumtree a few weeks ago- two pussycat brass poles classic style IIRC that were permanent? They might still be listed
There’s this one too
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/south-geelong/other-sports-fitness/45mm-pussycat-pole/1078152942
I always check out gumtree as ong as it’s genuine 🙂
Good luck! 🙂

[skramamme]

I have 7″ slip ons and I use fabric lengths to tie them around my ankle as they have come off and hit people in the past. But the strap over the foot doesn’t go up the foot very far, so it isn’t very secure in comparison to the pics posted here.
I much prefer ankle straps or, if I am going to have slip ons, the type that either have two straps (like the pics above) or a wider strap so it covers more of the foot making it stay on better.
If you’re not used to dancing in heels I would get ankle straps for sure- the plastic ones are pretty flexible but still give you security.
If you’re used to pole dancing shoes then give them a go, you might like them 🙂

[skramamme]

Pole Annie- lovely extension of your leg and pointed toes

[skramamme]

Today I did some dancing and managed to climb the pole, do a brief wrist sit, a couple of chairs, a backwards hook etc etc
Oh and I am able to get into the “Iguana” hold with straight legs (together) which is an awesome stretch for my hamstrings and shoulders- I was having a hard time getting my arms up and back to hold the pole but figured out if I step up to the pole the right way I can do it.
I am, of course, absolutely nowhere near doing an Iguana handstand but I love the stretch and knowing I have the ability to get into the position is kinda neat 🙂

[skramamme]

Sorry, I had to delete as I can’t seem to edit
I learned everything on a static pole (which was definitely harder now that I have tried spinning), but I think it sets you up for better and more controlled form in the long run.
If your grip is too tacky I’m sure there are tricks and tips to help- I have the complete opposite problem (I sweat like nobody’s business and slip way too easily) so I can’t help you there but I’m sure there’s some who can 🙂

[skramamme]

Sorry- my message was cut off :p
Eva, I am so sorry to hear about your back- I just tweaked mine overstretching and that is enough to have me holding back. I can only imagine how hard t must be having to deal with a prolapse 🙁
I hope it can be resolved soon and that the pain eases for you asap.
I guess it’s just a shock to see where I am now compared to my old self.
Thank god for muscle memory haha 😉
Plus being a little flexi will be helpful- I can get my arms into the iguana hold, even if I am nowhere near strong enough to try the move, so I have those sorts of things in my favour.
Plus working as a table top dancer for many years helps me with the dancing side, I just need to get used to the pain of the pole (I honestly do *not* remember it hurting that bad haha) and get my strength up again and I’ll be doing drop splits in no time 😉
Thanks for your support

[skramamme]

Thanks Andrea and Eva- Andrea, I totally understand what you mean 🙂 And I appreciate your positive words of encouragement

[skramamme]

I’d be super interested to know of pole dancers who don’t have a strong background in ballet or gymnastics if anyone knows of any?

[skramamme]

Michelle Shimmy, Felix Cane, Jenyne Butterfly, Julia Shikula (accidentally stumbled onto her on youtube and she is freaking amazing- I suspect ex gymnast or something along those lines)… and plenty more I can’t think of right now haha
Felix Cane was the first ever pole dancer I saw who was super fluid and sexy while still incorporating a lot of acrobatic stuff and she remains a favourite.
Michelle Shimmy because she keeps the sexy in pole dancing whilst being amazingly graceful and strong.
And the others simply because they are everything I wish I could be 🙂

[skramamme]

Saeth I feel your pain- my pole is only a week or so old (second hand) and I’ve realised that my body and chrome will never have a safe relationship. The Dry Hands works wonders for one or two grips then I have to wipe my hands and the pole again :\

Thankfully x-pole have a new model out, so they’re selling their old stock (pre May 2014 I think) at a lot less than new, so in July I’m just going to lay down a couple of hundred on a brass insert.
It sucks because it will make training at a studio hard if they have chrome but I can’t quit my meds, so I’m kinda stuck with being sweaty.

I am also going to try the special deodorant that actually stops you sweating after a while and see if it helps.
Dry Hands absolutely makes a difference and I did some split grip lifts and so on yesterday, so that’s great but I wouldn’t try holding my body in any positions that require strong skin grip (ie most moves :p ).

So brass it is.

[skramamme]

I received my Dry Hands today and it is wonderful- such a difference!
I will probably still invest in a brass pole insert in July but for now this will allow me to practice on my chrome pole without so much difficulty (although I suspect more adventurous moves will be out of reach for me on chrome simply because I am *such* a prolific sweater… stupid medications :p ).
Still, I can now work on basic strength moves improving my grip, reach and so on and I simply could not have done so as things were 🙂

[skramamme]

Thanks @dustbunny I have seen their stuff online, I will see how the dry hands works and if it’s not strong enough will give the dirty girl poultice a go… I really sweat a LOT 🙁 I hate it, any physical activity has me pouring sweat, dripping down my face, my hands are slick and I don’t feel secure holding the chrome pole at all.

@Serzi Yeah, I have heard that different finishes seem to work well depending on the individual, and I knew chrome was less grippy when I bought my pole, I just didn’t realise just how significant the difference would be for me.
I definitely need to get my strength back up anyway, including my grip, but I hate not feeling confident when doing even basic spins because my hands are literally slipping- and climbing the pole is extremely hard too for the same reasons, even though I try to take as much weight as I can with my legs.

I think a brass pole just might be necessary for me because I really do sweat so much :\ I always used to feel so self conscious if I was doing a dance with another girl because of that too- no one wants to be grabbing a sweaty gal haha

[skramamme]

Plus I still have all my shoes etc from back in the day, so it will be interesting learning how to walk in these babies again after so long lol