Is this normal or just bad luck?
Ive had a pole for about two months now. I have taught myself with the help of the net and some dvds and I can pretty much do all the beginner moves with no problems so a few weeks ago i started the intermediate stuff. Now the bruises, aches and pains I can handle, but since trying harder moves ive pulled a muscle in my back, twisted my ankle, done god knows what to my knee (twice) and today just done something else too my neck. I dont think i can use any more excuses of why ive been walking funny for weeks :-\
Is this normal or is it just a sign to get lessons?
Bx
Sorry wasnt quite sure where this should go but was hoping some other newbies might have the same problem. x
Re: Is this normal or just bad luck?
i say bruises are expected and with time bruises wont be as common because your skin gets thicker i guess but those kind of pains that you are experiencing are not ...... i took lessons. .i have a pole at my house but deceided to take a couple lessons on proper ways because there are .... for example i did a move my way and as soon as i finished my teacher was like you are going to be hurting soo bad the next morning... and i asked her how she knew and she said because i didnt put my body in proper position.. so next morning i felt soo much pain.. but realized that doing pole moves you need to know proper positions.. for mounting and dismounting and all that...... good luck too you! just some from my experience.........
Re: Is this normal or just bad luck?
I felt like I'd been run over by a truck when I first started dancing and seriously practicing pole tricks. and i'm used to bruises and sore muscles; i've been doing circus arts and trapeze for years! But the pole gave me a new kind of beating, lol.
But in my case, it did get better on its own. A few weeks of soreness, aspirin and hot showers, and my body adjusted. You probably will too :) If it doesn't get better in a few weeks, then maybe you really are putting unnecessary strain on yourself and should take a class or two. good luck!
Re: Is this normal or just bad luck?
I've been there myself. Your body does get use to it after a few weeks. I have very pale skin and I bruse very easy. Vitamin-K cream helps with bruses but what works even better is arnica cream. Arnica cream can be hard to find so try GNC or look around at several drug stores.
Re: Is this normal or just bad luck?
I know how you feel, i have my pole arrivin next week and ive been doin lessons for just over a month now. I get some nasty bruises and after the first lesson i couldnt move my arm for a week!
Its important that you warm up with some stretchin b4 u start on the pole...I hardly ever ache now as I work on my warm up.....and also dont forget to have a cool down!
As for the bruises use arnica cream....I bought a tube from Boots the other week and have been using it every day and ive still got loads left, a little really does go a long way :)
But yea take some time for a good warm up and stretch and im sure you will notice u dont ache so much :)
Oh and also remember to pace yourself in learnin your moves....dont jump into the really difficult tricks unless u have mastered the easier ones completely, a lot of the advanced moves require a lot more strength and you can gain this by really goin for it on the easier ones or even doin a part of one difficult move like say if you have to climb the pole, to do a trick, just keep climbin for a while until it gets easier and easier, this is great for buildin up your strength...Good Luck!
Re: Is this normal or just bad luck?
The more advanced pole moves have everything to do with strength. Just like if you try and pick up a boulder and you aren't strong enough, you'll get a hernia.
You likely will need to pump some iron for 6-12 weeks to get some more strength to do the advanced moves. I noticed a huge difference in my pole ability when I was hitting the gym regularly and getting stonger vs. just trying to do the pole using my own body weight as resistance.
Also, to prevent bruising, wear thigh high boots. Not only will they protect your legs, the patent leather ones will assist your leg grip on the pole.