Losing my grip!

kamillya14 started this discussion · 3/18/2009

Don't know whats happening but my grip was getting better and now lately it's just really sucked. 👎 I have a titanium X Pole..I was usually good with a spray of Windex and clean hands...Now that doesn't even do it. In class my teacher uses candle wax on the poles. Out of desperation I tried this on mine at home tonight and no such luck. What's going on? Anyone have any ideas? I could try buying some of that DryGrip or whatever - how does that work for people?

11 replies

DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/18/2009
I have a titanium X and I don't have any grip either! well I never had grip seein as to how this is only my second day poling hehe but I'm seeking an answer too! What is the weather like today where you are? It has been rainy and humid here the past few days. I'm thinking that might have something to do with it. Tomorrow it is gonna be sunny so I'm gonna see if that will make the grip better for me. I hope it does, otherwise I'll just be basically sticking to floor work like I have been doing. Jungle Cat 🐱
Rouge_LAmour · 3/18/2009
Got oyour local gym supply store and get some hand grips. Use these constantly while watching TV, etc. Make them replace your water bottle as accessory of choice 😂 this will help strengthen your grip. I often find if my hands are too dry (or sweaty) then I lose grip. Try leaving a tiny bit of water residue on them, don't be completely retentive about getting them dry after washing them, leave a tiny bit of moisture on them. This will help create the "insert physics / science term here" required to stick to the pole. Windex etc can create build up on the pole, we use meths in our studio, well rubbed off.
kerrierou · 3/18/2009
well you can have some of my grip! sometimes tey grip so much that i dont spin very much and my fingertips burn from sticking to the pole....pole burn! lol there should just be a happy medium for everyone!!!
Foxy_Rei · 3/19/2009
I'm always having problems with grip - my right hand is always really sweaty and my left hand is dry! 😠 ❓ I do most of my spins left-handed only because I can hold onto the stupid pole better with it, even though I'm right-handed. I've heard putting hairspray on your pole will make it easier to grip, too, but I'm not sure if that's recommended or good for the pole... You'd definitely want to clean it off when you're done using it, anyway. For me, until I get the actual strength in my hands, I rinse my hands off frequently when I'm poling. This wards off the sweat for a while and as Rouge said, the moisture can help you stick a bit. The key is to dry it enough it's not slippery but not perfectly dry, either. And also as Jungle Cat said, the weather effects it, too. It's been rainy where I live in the Southern Tier of NY, too, and the humidity has made a difference.
glitterhips · 3/19/2009
A lot of things will affect your grip...I notice if my pole is cold I can't do a thing on it so I have to do a few climbs and things to get the pole to warm up. My hands get super sweaty and I am constantly using rubbing alcohol when I practice...in some of my longer vids you can see me wiping the pole and my hands halfway through. If you wash your hands with dish soap first that can help because its very drying. Grip also comes with time so it will get better. Just be careful if you buy and grip enhancers, if you try to do any spins with them it will be painful! 🌸
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/19/2009
Yesterday was the first sunny day I've had since I got my pole and I saw significant increase in my grip! I didn't have to wip down my pole as much. I take it like pole's have personalities too. Difference days it has difference characteristics and you gotta learn how to work with them all and adjust when necessary.
lily · 3/20/2009
You're gotten such great advice already - it's true the more you get know your pole the better it will get 🙂 and you'll develop lovely callouses after a while, I'm obsessed with mine and won't let a manicurist touch them lol - and until then, you could try gloves - I had a realllllly hard time with my grip for a long time, especially when my husband watched, I would get so nervous and sweaty! I actually wore big yellow rubber kitchen gloves for a little while....SO not sexy but hey it worked and got me through my rough patch until my strength developed more. Good luck!
lily · 3/20/2009
I wanted to add that drygrip, climber's chalk, and a product called itac2 helped me too.
pole-twista · 3/21/2009
honestly so many things affect grip i just work w what i got that moment there are sometimes days in a row i have almost no grip and can do even gemini/catipilar ect and other days i am sticking and holding in ways i didnt think were possible on day i dont have good grip i just roll w it do basic spins/floorwork/twirls/poses ect
kamillya14 · 3/23/2009
Thanks for all the advice ladies...I know it sounds corny and wierd, but I'm now learning to start "reading" my pole...I'm learning how the weather affects it and that it needs a "warm up" just like I do. AAAND, everyone was right about the Windex. It helps with grip for about 10 minutes, but it was leaving a lot of residue...once I washed that off with some water and a towel, I was able to have a great grip. From now on, I'm only putting water on my pole. I have a titanium gold X and i've noticed a few small parts that the gold is chipping away. It doesnt' feel different, but it just lets me know I need to start taking better care of it, so water is always a safe bet!
Hollydee · 4/16/2009
I'm losing my grip more then usual... SO I know there are gloves out their that help you cheat until your strength is up to par... I was wondering ANYONE know a brand, a name of what they are called. I would really appreciate it, I'm just hoping that someone actually reads this... Anything would be great!!! Thanks. 😀