Hands and legs sticking too much

by Emily
(Houston)

I just recently started learning to pole dance, but I am having trouble with my hands and legs sticking to the pole too much.


If I attempt a spin part way through practice I stick to the pole and have to quit.


Is there anything I can do to help with this?


Susan from PDFF says...

Hi Emily, it sounds like you have the opposite problem to most pole dancers. Usually people complain of slipping on the pole, as I'm sure you're aware!

The first thing that occurs to me is to ask what type of pole you're using. Brass is the grippiest material, so if this is what your pole is made of it could be that it's just too "sticky" for you.

Having a pole with good grip is great of course, when you get to climbs and holds, but not as good for spins.

When you say that this only occurs part way through practice, can I assume that this excessive 'sticky-ness' isn't a problem at the beginning?

If that's the case, it could be that you stick to the pole instead of sliding off it when you start to sweat. While most people find sweaty palms makes for slippery spins, a few people find their hands get sticky instead. Though again, the type of pole you use may have some bearing on this.

If you have the opportunity to practice on a different pole, that might help you figure out whether it's sweaty hands or the specific pole that's the problem.

If you do find that this happens regardless of the type of pole, then you could try using just a very small amount of lotion on your hands. Start with just a tiny bit so you can monitor how you do without risking a slip.

For most people, lotions are a no-no when pole dancing as they can make the pole slippery. However, I have found that for some people who seem to stick like crazy, just a wee bit of lotion can help.

Just be very careful about using the smallest amount possible at first, and of course stay very aware about your grip while you're on your pole experimenting with this.

Also, if you share your pole with others (ie in a class situation) be sure to give it a good wipe down, particularly if your pole partner tends to slip easily.

I hope these suggestions help Emily. Please feel free to come back and let us know how they worked for you!