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What Pole Finish is Right for Me?

4/21/2020

As a pole dancer, you may or may not be aware that poles come in many different finishes. So, how do you decide which finish is right for you?

Chrome - Chrome is your industry standard for pole finish. It's most likely what you have at your pole studio.

Stainless Steel - This pole is great for people with nickel allergies and/or high use poles. It's polished to a mirror finish and able to withstand heavy use. If you studio doesn't have chrome poles- it probably has stainless steel.

Brass- Brass poles are great in hotter climates because the grip factor increases as the temperature rises. Another option for individuals with nickel allergies.

Titanium Gold - These poles are coated with the titanium gold finish for and even more enhanced grip. Great for individuals with grip issues that still want to be able to slide up and down the pole with relative ease.

Powder Coated - The powder coat enhances grip even further. Great for individuals with grip issues and you are still able to slide up and down the pole. Note that as the grip factor increases, discomfort on the skin will also increase. As with most aerial things - you'll build up a tolerance to it.

Silicone - This is the ultimate easy to grip pole. When you give it a squeeze it is actually squishy! Makes poling in leggings possible - great for practicing inverts, climbs, and static poses. You will NOT be able to slide up and down the pole with this finish.

Keep in mind, if you choose a finish other than chrome or stainless steel, you'll likely be able to do some tricks at home that you're still unable to do at your studio. Don't let that frustrate you! As you continue to practice your grip strength will increase until you're finally able to do that trick on any finish.

If you're practicing for a competition, I'd recommend sticking with the chrome or stainless steel finish. Once you're on stage you'll be facing bright lights, adrenaline, an audience, and nerves - you probably don't also want to be working on a different finish pole than you're used to!

Have more questions? Leave a comment!
Want to know more about grip aid options?

Grip Aids

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Get a Grip!

4/6/2020

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There are many different grip aids on the market, so knowing which is right for you to use can feel a bit overwhelming! Here's a quick guide to the most commonly used grip aids, what apparatus they're good for, and what grip issue they'll help you with.

Dry Hands is one of the most commonly used grip aids. It's a liquid chalk substance that you can put on your hands and body to add a little bit of tack to your grip and to help with minor sweating issues.
Dry Hands can be used while doing pole, lyra, silks, hammock, trapeze.... even golf and tennis!

Dry Hands

Tite Grip is unlike other grip aids because it is actually an antiperspirant. Tite Grip is for people who have very sweaty hands or feet.
For best results, this product should be applied 20-30 minutes before your activity. Usually, you can apply it at the very beginning of your class and by the time the warm up is complete, it's had enough time to kick-in.
Tite Grip can be used with any apparatus where sweaty hands are hindering your ability to grip. Usually that includes pole and lyra since sweaty hands don't impact grip on fabrics as much.

Tite Grip

Dew Point is a moisturizer for dry skin. This product is commonly used on legs, especially shins. Regular moisturizers leave your skin too slick to grip the pole. Dew Point will add moisture without making you too slippery.
Dew Point is primarily used in pole, but if dry skin is an issue for you on other apparatuses, it can be used.

Dew Point

iTac adds a very tacky layer to your skin and shouldn't be used on your hands. Rather, it's used on parts of your body that need to grip the pole. It's most commonly used on the inner thighs or at your waist.
iTac is for pole or an un-taped lyra. This product shouldn't be used on fabrics.

iTac

Firm Grip is an aerosol rosin spray. It will make your hands and body very sticky.
Many people use Firm Grip on the fabrics (silks and sling) as well as on a taped lyra. It can also be used for pole and un-taped lyras but be warned - the residue left behind is very difficult to remove. Out of respect for your studio, don't use Firm Grip on studio poles or lyras.

Firm Grip

Powdered Rosin is great for aerial silks and sling. Pat onto your hands and/or feet for added tack without feeling sticky.

Rosin

Aerial Gloves are specifically designed to increase your grip on the pole or lyra. They may look like weight lifting gloves but they differ in the material they are made of. These have a neoprene backing for a very snug fit and a palm material that will stick to metal surfaces.
Aerial Gloves are a great item to have in everyone's grip aid bags. I don't recommend wearing them every time you train, because you want to increase your grip tolerance and strength. However, once you start to fatigue, sweat too much, or develop blisters you can slip these gloves on to finish your training session.

Aerial Gloves

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What Pole Finish is Right for Me?

Get a Grip!

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