New Member Never Poled Before

MzLadyNG27 started this discussion · 4/21/2011

Hello all, I am a new member of StudioVeena.com and I have never tried poling in my life. I have always had an obsession with pole dancing but never had an opportunity to try it. Now I am ready. I'm about 5'6, 240 lbs so i'm a little on the heavier side and I need some advice on the following: 1) What advice would you give to a new pole beginner? Do you think it is necessary to take a professional pole class before attempting to learn on your own, or is it completely possible to purchase a pole and learn from the beginner videos? 2) What kind of pole should I buy and where is the best place to buy them from? My ceilings are very tall I'm planning to have one of my maintenance men measure the exact height so I can know. I am also concerned about a pole that will support at least 250 lbs. I am just at a loss for where to begin. I have seen so many graceful ladies on youtube and on this site and I am extremely intersted in learning myself. Any and all advice is welcome. Thank you so much. ~Nikki~

22 replies

reenie aka Mysfit · 4/21/2011
Welcome!! My recommendations---Veenas lessons are the best value you will find. I would recommend anyone to purchase them. They are taught progressively, safely and with full attention to anatomical position and biomechanics. I have even sent my own pole students to this site to purchase the lessons so they can practice at home with guidance. Like several of us on here, Veena is a Personal Trainer! That being said however, are you someone who learns better on your own? Or better with a group and an instructor? If you work well on your own, I would purchase the years membership for Veena's lessons and follow the order beginning with the strength section....You will be poling along in no time at all.... Poles---Xpole or Lil Mynx depending on what will work best for your biochemistry. Both have tension mounted poles...Xpole offers chrome or Titanium Gold as a finish. Lil Mynx offers Powder Coated ones or Stainless steel. Platinum Stages is another big one---BUT they have a reputation of having the worst customer service imaginable...........Can't comment as I haven't dealt with them.....but some of the posts in the forum here indicate bad juju.... I have never poled on a powder coated pole....so I can't offer any advice or insight on them. There are other members here who own the powder coated ones who will comment. I have sweaty palms....Stainless Steel poles are not a good match for me....I slip and slide like being in a water park. Xpoles chrome--works pretty good for me. I still slip on bad days.... I like the Titanium Gold(don't own one yet---) but I have danced on them. They would be the next grippiest option for me. However, I broke down and bought a second hand 38mm Aradia Brass pole--Found my match made in heaven! My hands love brass..... Aradia poles(At least the one that I have) does not offer a spinning option to their poles and it is all one piece. Can be tricky to transport if I don't have my truck.... My chrome Xpoles are a fave though......Both static and spin, excellent customer service from the people down at Xpole, and excellent value for the money. Veena sells Xpoles right here on the site...........So do a few of the other members. House of Pole is owned by sissybuns....There are others, I just can't think off the top of my head who they are.... You didn't state where you are located? I could be telling you to order from the US and you may be in another country....and have a closer dealer near you.. The cheap poles you will find like---peekaboo, carmen electra....anything from online adult stores etc....are NOT meant for our type of poling. I have seen the damn things come down....gouge layers off skin.....etc.........Stay away from them.
MzLadyNG27 · 4/21/2011
I live in Newark, NJ so yes I'm in the U.S. One other thing I forgot to mention, I do not own a vehicle so I think it would be best for me to have something that can be easily broken down maybe into pieces if possible, are all the poles heavy? I also have wood floors so another concern for me is slipping. When I order a pole, do I need a professional installer or do they normally come with instructions?
reenie aka Mysfit · 4/21/2011
I prefer hardwood..... The poles come with all the instructions..........Plus---Veena has a vid here for how to set up your xpole. And there are tons of vids on you tube. Xpoles break right down into lengths and fit all cozy comfy in the carrying case... As for weight---the xpoles aren't heavy. The stages can be--or at least that is what I have heard. If you head to the home page, Veena has this great pole decider thingy....
MzLadyNG27 · 4/21/2011
Thanks so much Reenie you've been very helpful any beginner tips?
MzLadyNG27 · 4/21/2011
Hello all, I have another question as a new member. For those of you who have been poling for a long time now, can you tell me were you always flexible enough to do splits etc... or how do you become more flexible? I've never done a split in my life and never knew how people became flexible enough to do them, especially with me being a thick girl but I see people of all sizes and ages doing splits and I am curious. ~Nikki~
Cocoa0 · 4/21/2011
No, I was certainly NOT able to do the splits when I started poling. I would strongly suggest you try yoga. Also you could try the "splits in 6 weeks" program... BUT poling requires alot more than just lower body flexibility and yoga is the best way I know of to stretch everything out. Also flexibility does not discriminate. Anyone, anysize, anywhere can become as flexible as they want to be, it just takes some time... And ALOT of patience.
Jenn PoleLush · 4/21/2011
Got to admit I just woke up from working midnights and I scannd your post...I read high ceilings and hardwood floors...and I want to pole at your place! I second the veena's lessons. I have NO studio around me so everything I have learned is from Veena. I found it nice to pole in a nonjudemental arena, but that is just me so you may like that. As I got better I wanted feedback though so I do go occasionally to Charley's Pole Events that she has to get ideas from other ppl. And yes, X-Pole...i believe it states that in can support 250lbs but don't quote me. I have a 50mm TG Xpole and I love it...more than my husband...just kidding Welcome, you will not find a more supportive environment to be a part of 🙂
vipergal · 4/21/2011
Welcome. If you can, buy, Veeena's lessons They are clear and concise for the beginners. Also if you are concerned about your physical makeup, check out MiniCooperGirl. She is an inspiration for us ladies that have a few extra inches. Flexibility is something that you build up over time. Stretching helps at the end of your poling or just deep intensive stretching on your non poling days. I have an XPole and an Aradia pole. Both are great. Take baby steps and you will be awesome.
vipergal · 4/21/2011
Welcome. If you can, buy, Veeena's lessons They are clear and concise for the beginners. Also if you are concerned about your physical makeup, check out MiniCooperGirl. She is an inspiration for us ladies that have a few extra inches. Flexibility is something that you build up over time. Stretching helps at the end of your poling or just deep intensive stretching on your non poling days. I have an XPole and an Aradia pole. Both are great. Take baby steps and you will be awesome.
MzLadyNG27 · 4/21/2011
@Jenn, how tall are your ceilings? Maybe I just think they are tall because they're taller than me lol actually they are not that tall I just realized because I just had my super come and measure it 8 ft 10 inches so I think i'm going to purchase the Xpole Xpert 50 mm in chrome. I found a sex shop that sells them but they are telling me that i'll need extensions because they have heard people complain about the xpoles not coming with enough length and people having to buy extensions. But I just went to the xpole website and it says they are fine for ceilings up to 9 ft and my ceilings are almost that so I should be fine. However, they are selling the xpoles for over $400 bucks when I see on the site they are only 329 and on this website they are less so I am going to take a printout of what's on the site and see what the diff is with what this store is selling. They also mentioned that they sell it in a heavy duty carry case which I bet is where the extra cost is coming from compared to the nylon cases the xpole comes with. @vipergal I am definitely planning to do so. I also just found out that my unused membership at Bally's entitles me to every single class they have so I'm going to start preparing before I buy my pole and start with some yoga and pilates classes. I am so excited! I probably won't be buying my pole until the end of next month! I cannot wait!
LoneStarDiva · 4/21/2011
Yep.. Veena's lessons. I was just reading another newbie post (or return newbie?) who was totally BUFF, but has/had trouble w/ doing some of the actual pole lessons. Aparerently it's a different kind of strength! :):) ;) Welcome to the Site!
MzLadyNG27 · 4/21/2011
Thanks LoneStar. I've always been pretty strong so I am hoping it won't be so hard for me to start building even more of the necessary strength to become a pole pro. I've never been on the pole before so I'm thinking of trying out a friend's pole at a housewarming later this month we shall see.
Masked Loopy II · 4/21/2011
I also wanted to welcome you to the site! About strength and flexibility....those issues can be frustrating in the beginning, but improve with practice and patience. I was never able to do the splits until I had been pole dancing 6+ months and I was not able to climb the pole initially. I started learning at a studio, but I believe it is completely possible to teach yourself at home. In person feedback is great when you can get it. If your not taking studio lessons, you can still find a local pole pal or visit a workshop. Also, if you post a video on this website, the veena members are helpful and supportive about helping you with technique. I'm not a total expert, but if you would like to know anything else about getting started, feel free to send me a message.
MzLadyNG27 · 4/22/2011
@MaskedLoopy - I can imagine because I know I can't do a split for nothing lol but I'm ready for the challenge and the patience it will take. I've been doing my research. I just can't wait to get my pole 🙂
Adriibabii · 4/22/2011
I felt just like you when i started! Trust me youre gunna really enjoy poling, everytime im cleaning or w.e and i just pass by my pole, i just have to stop and do a little something even if it's as simple as a fireman spin lol It's like ocd hehe..but i love it and beleive me youre gunna feel so happy and excited when you finally get a move right that youve been practicing forever on..my mom bugs me about the bruises but even those don't stop me! and trust me ive gotten some pretty nasty ones esp when i first started climbing ... bu now it's not too bad and i love them because each one is like notch under my poling belt lol oh and as for poles i bought mineon hussystore.com it was the xpole sport (static nly) 50mm for 149.99 wih a 2% off promo code...it was the cheapest i could fins a pole online.. good luck keep in touch! ( im still pretty much a beginner too! its always good to have someone to talk to and track your progress with =] )
Adriibabii · 4/22/2011
*20% off promo code*
MzLadyNG27 · 4/22/2011
@Adriibabii Thanks so much girl I am definitely going to check that site out! I just gotta get my pole like ASAP because I'm so obsessed I'm on this site daily and everytime I see a pole I am dying to get started!
Adriibabii · 4/22/2011
haha i was 100% like that lol .... i was so excited i was practicing like 3 to 4 times a week now lately i've been really busy so i haven't been able to get a good workout in but today im hoping to get at least a quick hr and a half in....but send me a message when u finally doget that pole i wanna hear all about how you're doing!
MzLadyNG27 · 4/22/2011
@Adriibabii I sure will i'm going to add you to my friends. I see you're not too far do you ever go to a studio to practice (classes)? If so where at?
Veena · 4/22/2011
Hi welcome to the site!!! We do have some great online lessons here to get you started on the right foot 🌸 Enjoy your pole journey
MzLadyNG27 · 4/22/2011
Thanks StudioVeena! I'm looking forward to it!
hookedonpole · 4/23/2011
Welcome! You couldn't have found a better pole community than veena, webmaster and veneers! We are all at different levels with great support. I have no flexibility but will do what I can and what my brain/body allow me to. There are many who are dedicated to working at stretching for flexibility and do well, I tend to be on the not so committed side :( Can't wait till you get your pole (if you haven't yet) and join us on this pole journey. It's a fun one, even with the grunting, huffing/puffing and bruises, haha I second the different workout it takes. I started having been active gym membr and avid power flex class, but still couldn't do a pole hold for more than a second, and months to learn invert without kicking. But it comes with practice and patience.