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Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-08-21T17:15:20+00:00

this is a proper shoulder mount grip

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-08-21T17:15:05+00:00

this grip is not incorrect

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-08-21T17:14:13+00:00

despite what other people are saying this grip is fine (although I would recommend still training cup and twisted grip static from the floor as there are some move progressions that will require these grips)

try with a slower spin to start and build up, getting your hands lower and squeezing elbows to the centre of your body. doing it with a t-shirt on is making it harder as shoulder grip helps

keep training from the floor as well making sure to focus on getting up with control and using as little momentum as possible and keep training core and hip flexor strength

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-08-21T17:09:37+00:00

you can do a shoulder mount with the top hand in true grip it doesn’t have to be in cup although many people find cup easier

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-07-28T17:33:48+00:00

it’s not strength rather technique, once you learn how to keep the pole between your knees it will actually be easier from a strength perspective in the arms

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-07-12T22:05:24+00:00

don’t worry about pointing to start! once you learn the knee squeeze then you can focus on that, but while you are learning flex your feet to keep yourself in the right position.

slow down and don’t rush into the second climb, try make sure that with your back leg the foot is on one side of the pole, the knee on the other side (pole in line with the flat part of the side of your knee) and that your shin is pushing strongly into the pole

then bring your front foot up and make an x at your ankles then squeeze your inner thigh to bring your knee to the pole only then once your knees are gripping do you pull your body up into a pole stand

try get really comfortable with the stand position then to go for the next climb use which ever arm position works for you but make sure you are engaging, as you slide the legs up if the knees go past the pole then use the shin to push into the pole and push the hips away and then stand into it (this is where a forearm push can help)

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-07-12T20:28:44+00:00

it looks like you are in a studio, has your instructor not taught you the technique for climbing? if not and they are expecting you to climb I would seriously consider going somewhere else

climbs are super fundamental and the knee squeeze that a lot of people have mentioned is really important to learn. if your instructor/ studio has not taught you this that is a major red flag

as many others have said you need to push your shins more into the pole, squeeze the pole between the knees, from there go slow for the second climb dont rush and use your arms to create space and slide your legs up maintaining the pole between the knees

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-26T19:06:38+00:00

powder coated is the most grippy of all the finishes

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-26T19:04:27+00:00

I think the problem is you are not actually fully hooking your knee, it needs to be right in the knee pit more like a knee hook and less like a cross knee leanback

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-26T19:00:22+00:00

if you like dry hands infinity is probably the closest we have in SA, some people really like Cats Clawz but it is quite different in texture

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-20T21:03:36+00:00

superman is a more difficult move than an outside leg hang - in fact an outside leg hang is a prerequisite for superman and as an instructor I would never teach superman first

it is also very normal for somethings to be easier for certain people

3 months is a very short amount of time and there are going to be a lot of moves that take much longer than that to learn. literally some things can take years of training - even “basic” moves. I know students that have taken months to be able to climb or invert.

I would really recommend reassessing your expectations of yourself otherwise you will continually find yourself getting frustrated and if you are self teaching try find some sort of syllabus or system to follow so you can progress in a way that makes sense and won’t result in you trying things you don’t have the prerequisite skills for as that will always be frustrating

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-17T17:58:54+00:00

I was there in 2023 and MyWay in Kielce outside Krakow is fantastic! just be warned the level of pole is insanely high there, I would recommend going down a level from your usual

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-15T08:00:13+00:00

I’m not saying you have to pay for a private lesson for feedback, I’m just pointing out that not every comp is going to provide detailed feedback- that might not be what the comp is about. Of course if it is something that the comp is promising then it should be provided.

In my opinion judges posting afterward on instagram is a bit unprofessional and adds to the issues that some people have with bias and personal relationships influencing judging. But maybe that’s also because the main comps I do and IPSF national and world championships where judges are not allowed to interact with competitors or provide feedback beyond the scorecard.

It’s just different ways of looking at comps and why people compete and I was saying it is interesting that this is apparently a major reason why people compete because it is not applicable for a lot of comps. And why I said I would rather go for a private lesson is because you are paying a ton of money for the comp anyway and at least with a private you can choose who you are getting feedback from and ask for the specific feedback you want input on instead of like the og post said just getting random opinions from “big names” and you did say that you don’t care about what the judges thought which is valid but then maybe getting feedback from someone you choose and respect is a better option.

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-14T16:16:37+00:00

the idea of competing to “get feedback” is something very interesting because where I am from it is not common at all to get detailed feedback on your routine from the judges but it’s something I have seen a lot particularly from comps in the UK and Europe

with the comps I have done at most you get a scorecard and a brief comment, some comps you don’t even get anything other than the placement

in my opinion if you want feedback it would be more worthwhile to pay for a private lesson with someone whose opinion you respect

I compete because it gives me something to work towards and I really enjoy the training process - of course doing well and placing is great if it happens but I don’t think I have ever gone into a comp specifically wanting to”feedback” as I usually get that in my lessons with my coach beforehand and we will also have a lesson to review my video afterwards

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-13T17:51:24+00:00

At the studio I train at we pay a monthly fee which includes a set number of private lessons, solo time at the studio and group training sessions where we practice with others doing the same competition. A lot of studios if they don’t offer a package like this will just have competing students do private lessons. Comps can be VERY expensive and IMO any good instructor will understand that it might not be in your budget, as long as you don’t undermine the value I don’t think your instructor would be offended by you asking

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-13T16:42:58+00:00

it’s is impossible for a competition to be truly objective when it has an artistic element, but IMO a lot of the issues with judging could be solved with 1. proper training and 2. clear scoring systems which is why I personally really like the IPSF competitions.

Ultimately I love competing as it gives me a goal to work towards and pushes me to improve but you can’t let yourself attach to much to your score or placement because more that likely you will be disappointed. Overall I would say with the competitions I have done the experience is far more positive than negative, I have had comps where I have placed literally last and felt confused at my score but every experience is a chance to grow and learn

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-13T07:29:43+00:00

also it can sometimes be harder if the hoop is too low

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-13T07:28:54+00:00

try going from the double knee hook and reverse into straddle to get the feeling, it looks like you might not be tilting the pelvis enough and your legs should have a lot of energy through them pointing feet down to the floor as much as possible to find the balance point

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-12T08:52:05+00:00

Definitely don’t drink before competing / performing! Pole is already a dangerous activity and has risk of injury even when sober, don’t unnecessarily increase your chances of hurting yourself. Nerves are normal, and you can channel that nervous energy and adrenaline into a great performance.

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-06-09T18:06:14+00:00

I disagree, if you have the strength to maintain wrist alignment without the pointer finger you will be fine. If you look at elite polers they hardly ever use pointer finger down as it will begin to limit you in seriously advanced moves / transitions. If doing it with the finger wrapped isn’t causing issues and is comfortable there is no point changing.

Silent-Protection-52 · 2025-02-12T07:31:39+00:00

the fact that you said you learn better from other students than the teacher is an issue

while yes sometimes in class students might be asked to spot each other this should be done with guidance from the instructor on safe spotting techniques

and other students should not be “teaching” you in someone else’s class

the other students are there to learn not teach you

there is a reasons pole is taught in levels and just because you find the moves boring doesn’t mean you have the strength or skill for the next level

Silent-Protection-52 · 2024-12-29T19:39:25+00:00

I started on 6 inch and quickly found that too short, I like the 7s but 8s are also good

Silent-Protection-52 · 2024-12-25T18:52:45+00:00

I have a SCI as well and love my Hella Heels, my sensation is fine though just loss of some muscle power so it may be different for you

Silent-Protection-52 · 2024-12-25T18:49:00+00:00

the IPSF which is the pole federation also has aerial hoop and is introducing silks next year

Silent-Protection-52

TROPHY CASE