Grip Aids: Sticky

There are tons of grip aids out there for pole. They come in two categories: antiperspirants and sticky (for added grip). Below are some of the different sticky grip aids, most of which I've used. Not every grip aid is for everyone. Hopefully this guide will help you decide which one is for you. Note: I will be posting a separate post on the antiperspirant grip aids.

Mighty Grip:

Grip Aids: Antiperspirant

There are tons of grip aids out there for pole. They come in two categories: antiperspirants and sticky (for added grip). Below are some of the different antiperspirant grip aids, most of which I've used. Not every grip aid is for everyone. Hopefully this guide will help you decide which one is for you. Note: I will be posting a separate post on the sticky grip aids.

Tite Grip I:

Divine Dancewear: Bella Shorts

I did a Divine Dancewear post recently on Dragonfly Yoga Wear, highlighting their unique fitness wear. Dragonly yogawear kindly sent me a pair of  their Bella Shorts for review!

Photo used with permission from Dragonfly Yoga Wear

I have to say, these shorts are just as adorable as the appear. I love the front ruching. So far, I've had several girls compliment me on them, during pole jam sessions.

Divine Dancewear: Dragonfly Yoga Wear

We all know that pole shorts are an essential for any pole workout. Finding cute shorts that are short enough, yet provide full coverage can be difficult. I happened across these adorable Bella shorts on Dragonfly Yoga Wear's facebook. I want them so much!!!!

Photo used with permission from Dragonfly Yoga Wear

Pole Brands - a comprehensive look

People often ask the differences between the pole companies, and have trouble deciding which one they should go with. This list will highlight the key features of the poles from each of the pole companies. I am only going to cover the removable poles, although some companies offer permanent options as well.



Lil' Mynx: 

Lil 'Mynx is the most affordable removable pole. They come is stainless steel and powder coated, and in 50mm (2in) and 45mm (1.75in) diameters. They come in stationary and stationary/spinning. They come in sizes for 8-9 foot ceilings and 9-10 foot ceilings, but can be made in custom heights. The poles require a permanent mount to be drilled into a joist with one screw. The mount can be disguised as a plant hook.

Pole Materials - the differences

Oh that dreaded decision. Every person considering purchasing a pole will have to make this difficult decision.  Unfortunately, there is no one answer. Everyone is different. Not everyone wants the same traits in a material, nor does everyone react the same to a given pole material.

Being such a major decision  I'd like to give you some of the information I have collected over the years, and my own personal experiences with each finish.

Stainless Steel: It has come in two forms.

Mirror finish:

Pole Finishes

So there has been a lot of debate about the different pole finishes out there, i.e. high shine polish versus matte finish. When X Pole originally released their stainless steel and brass X Perts, they came in a dulled shine, matte finish. This is in contrast to Platinum Stages and Pole Danzer's high shine finish. Both finishes have their pros and cons, which I will get into more.

Omni-gym, aerial yoga, and lyra (oh my!)

Omni Gym - Rock it Stand and Omni Swing:

So we all know about yoga, but aerial yoga? When I first heard about this new fitness form, I was skeptical, but the more I looked into it, the more fun and relaxing it looked. Of course, there were no classes offered any closer than 2 hours away, so I was stuck pining over my aerial yoga need, with no way to practice it. That's when I heard about the at home yoga swings. Most people know about the FlyGym, that has been advertised by fellow polers. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment, so the rigging needed to put up a yoga swing, into the ceiling, is not something I can do. I went back to being bummed...until I found out about the omni gym setup. It's a freestanding rig that is easy to set up and take down. It takes me just a few minutes to do both. It was PERFECT for my needs! I have a large living room, so I knew I could make it work. The base is about 8' in diameter and the shortest height the omni gym goes is 7'11" (luckily I have vaulted ceilings.) I purchased my set when they ran a mega-sale over the holidays. I couldn't be happier with this rig. The design is unique and durable. It hooks together by metal poles with snap buttons on each end, making putting the tubes together and taking them apart a snap (pun intended.) It comes with a yoga swing that is padded, for comfort, and several handles to aid in your stretches, and to do TRX style exercises. It's like having a TRX and yoga hammock in one! It also comes with a spring loaded trapeze that functions as a pull-up bar (for us bad-ass poler girls to strength train) and to soften the hang of the swing. The ring, where the swing clips to the rig, swivels so you rotate in the poses! The rig itself has handles on one arm, to aid in stretching and exercises. Below are some photos of the rig in action.

Omni-gym in my living room

Pole Diameters - comparison

When purchasing a pole, choosing a diameter is a big decision (poles are expensive!) Everyone goes back and forth on what they want. When pole first started in the U.S., the only diameter available was the 50mm (2".) Companies eventually realized that the smaller-handed population needed a different sized pole, so the 45mm (1.75") came out. When I bought my first pole, the only options were 50mm and 45mm. Now, several years later, the 40mm and 38mm (1.5") have come out, making the decision on diameters that much harder! What diameter is for you? Well, that depends on the individual and several factors, which I will discuss.

The 50mm, which I believe is actually 50.8mm OD, is the largest of the diameters. It used to be the standard pole size in the U.S., until recently. A lot of studios have them because they are the strongest of the diameters, therefore they are safer for taller ceilings. They do not have as much flex as the other diameters. This diameter is really good for thigh holds and large hands. Knee holds can be a little harder on this diameter as are tricks in which you wrap your body. I find the inside and outside leg hangs awkward on this diameter since I have a short torso, so wrapping my leg around this pole while avoiding my lowest rib is awkward. I know that girls with very thin legs like 50mm poles for thigh holds. I am short and have meaty thighs. I find thigh holds to be fine, but any other movement to be awkward. Tall girls, with large hands, and males should do just fine on a 50mm.

50mm poles are sold by Platinum Stages, X Pole, Lil' Mynx, and Pole Danzer. They come in stainless steel, chrome, titanium gold, brass, and powder coated.

 

My hand fully wrapped on a 50mm                     Gun grip on a 50mm