Pole is hard, fam! We chose a difficult hobby. But that's part of what makes it so satisfying—and addicting—when we unlock a new move or see our improvement over time. Think back to when you first started, whether that was a few weeks or a few years ago. What did your climb look like the first time you tried compared to today? How awkward did you feel doing body rolls and hair whips back then vs. now?
It can often feel like we're the only one in the room struggling with a certain move or looking like a giraffe in heels, but the reality is, we've all been there. In fact, there are some common challenges that come up for all of us in our pole training:
Bruising — We call them pole kisses when we're trying to be cute about it. Bruising is normal and common in pole. Some people bruise like a peach and others less so, but usually the bruising subsides with time. However, any time you try a new move, or certain moves in particular (I'm looking at you, elbow holds) you’ll always get a few pole kisses!
Struggles with grip — If only gripping the pole was easy, reliable, and was never affected by the weather! Well, it's none of those things. Hot days mean sweaty, slippery hands. Cold days mean slippery bodies that need extra warming up to hold a pose properly. The good news is that we have grip aids to help us out when we need them, and that grip strength improves with time. It may happen without you even realising it, but after a while, you will probably find that you are reaching for your pole grip less often because you've strengthened the muscles required to help you grip. And if you're just a slippery Susan all the time, embrace it and invest in some good grip aids and ample wiping down of the pole!
Off training days — Sometimes our bodies just don't cooperate. This could be due to tiredness, sore muscles, being on your period, or the the pole gods just not favouring you that day. This is a normal part of everyone’s pole journey, so try not to beat yourself up about it. You’ll have great training days, too. Just like in life, pole comes with good days and hard days.
Comparing ourselves to others — Comparing ourselves to Instagram pole stars or the more advanced people in our classes can make us feel disheartened about our own pole journey. After all, comparison is the thief of joy. There are a few things to remember when you start to feel this way:
We can never be anyone but ourselves. What we bring to our pole practice is unique to us. No matter how much we try to emulate our favourite teacher or pole star, we will always put our own stamp on our movement, and this is a good thing! As we continue learning and refining our pole skills, this is what will help us find our unique style. Trust that others are watching you and wishing they moved more like you, too.
We all bring our own strengths, weaknesses, and backgrounds to our pole journey. Maybe climbing is a struggle for you but spins come more naturally. Or perhaps you're quick at nailing the strength-based tricks but you feel like Bambi on ice in a heels class. Every single person in pole will have some movements that come more naturally to them and others that don't. Remember that some people put hours, months, and years into their pole practice, and that's what you are seeing the results of. Others may have a gymnastics or dance background where they put in years of practice that translates into their pole dancing today. And look, some people are just lucky and pick it up quickly! We'll try our best to be happy for them, ha. But also know that if you put in those hours, months, and years of practice, you will absolutely get to a place where things feel easier, more confident, and more refined.
When we need a reset, we can lean into the aspects of pole that feel best in our body, mind, and soul. When in doubt, go back to your favourite moves and remind yourself of what you love about your pole practice and how it makes you feel. This is what will keep you pole dancing for the long haul.
The best advice? Start taking videos! When you video yourself, it gives you a marker to look back on. Videos are the hard evidence that you are improving each week, whether it feels like it or not. If you took videos in your first few weeks of starting pole and you've been doing it consistently for at least a couple of months, you should now be able to see a major difference in your strength, fluidity, and overall movement. If you're ever feeling down about your practice, look back on those old videos to see how far you've come. And again, find those movements that bring you joy and go back to those whenever you need to.
Happy poling!
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