Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Upper Body Strength

  1. #1
    God/dess PaigeDWinter's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Cocoa Beach, FL
    Posts
    10,220
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 52 Times in 37 Posts

    Default Upper Body Strength

    Oooooook. So I've always been a HUGE fan of really great pole work. I cant get off the ground. I have NO upper body strength and that seems to be what I need, yis?

    My conflict is, once I discover THE right activities to boost arm strength, I dont want to lose my appearance, arm-wise. I have rather thin arms, and it's one of my more noted features, yanno?

    And suggestions on activities that strengthen but dont over bulk?
    Number of times Rickrolled on stage: 6
    *******************************

    Marasmus ... "Ladies don't fart. They butt-laugh."
    Marasmus says, "Oh no, that wasn't gas, it was merely a rectal chuckle."

    Marek says, "A friend of mine got punched in the face by a dominatrix stripper about two weeks ago and I thought of you."

  2. #2
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Don't worry about building up your arms too much. I've seen some pretty muscular girls that didn't have the strength to climb the pole and other girls that are thin as rail that can climb the pole all night long.

    I have been able to climb up and down recently, and all I did was start lifting weights 3-4 times per week as weel as doing cardio. I really watch my diet too, and I think that is important when trying to increase your strength.

    Here is a pretty current pic of me http://parislove.net/images/onstage/DSC_0011-02.jpg

    As you can tell, I don't have buldging muscles


    Promote yourself and earn more money! This is a business that is owned by strippers for strippers. Let's make that money!


  3. #3
    Banned MissTaylor's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    1,322
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Try doing light weights with high reps.....that's what one trainer told me....but they all say different things.

  4. #4
    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    los angeles, ca
    Posts
    1,431
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    close griped pull ups help build the muscles that you use when climbing the pole and other pole work.

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

  5. #5
    God/dess scarlett_vancouver's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    6,699
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    I built up my pole ability pretty slowly (it's been around 2 years now and I've only just gotten to the point where I can do pretty much anything), and I don't have any obvious muscle (unless I flex! ). I never worked out, just let the muscle build as I got better on the pole, so maybe you should try that?

    I've found that pretty much every pole move I do uses different muscles, and it takes about 3 weeks of doing a move daily (with a few days off here and there) to build up the muscle to make the move easy.

    hope that helps!

    Feature costumes for sale!

  6. #6
    Jay Zeno
    Guest

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Don't forget to use your legs as mass. Naturally enough, you need arm strength to climb the poll, but to swing your body up higher on the pole, use the momentum of your legs swinging for your body movement, use your shoulders as fulcrums, and swing your body up on the pole rather than lift your body on the pole.

    That's from a nondancer, obviously. So take that advice for what it's worth. But I used to do kips on the high bar, and people would say, "Wow, you have some arm strength," when my arms had very little to do with it. It was a matter of body and leg momentum.

    I'd recommend repeated pole practice to build up the muscle groups you want. High reps of light weights can build up mass. That's how I get a good pump going when I can't do heavier weights for whatever reasons.

  7. #7
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    13,598
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 28 Times in 23 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Get a good full-body weight routine going. For the girls who think that pole work is all arms...you're in for quite a shock. It's a full body workout and so you'll need to weight train to strengthen everything.

    Women do not "bulk" up like men...you'll get a lean muscular build...but you won't look like Ms. Universe or anything like that.

    MissTaylor...whatever trainer told you to do light weights with heavy reps is a moron. DON'T GO TO THEM. It's been proven that doing ANYTHING with light weight has no effect what-so-ever. If you want any results...you need to be using heavy weight with light reps. It's like trying to build up your calf muscles using 20 pounds when your calf muscle is used to moving around 130 pounds of body weight...up stairs, down stairs and walking around. Light weights just don't do anything...except make good paper weights.

  8. #8
    Featured Member cottoncandy's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2004
    Location
    North
    Posts
    761
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    I do upper and lower body weights now- I usually do 10 lbs dumbells in each hand for shoulder, biceps and chest and one 10- 15 lbs dumbbell for triceps and back.

    I was wondering how much upper body weights most dancers who are able to do polework can lift since I'd up the weight if it should be higher to be able to do polework. Thanks.

  9. #9
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Quote Originally Posted by cottoncandy
    I do upper and lower body weights now- I usually do 10 lbs dumbells in each hand for shoulder, biceps and chest and one 10- 15 lbs dumbbell for triceps and back.

    I was wondering how much upper body weights most dancers who are able to do polework can lift since I'd up the weight if it should be higher to be able to do polework. Thanks.
    I bench press about 60 lbs. for four sets of 8-10 reps. then I try to work to failure on the peck deck. I will approach my whole workout this way. To choose the correct weight for your strength level, you shoudn't be able to do more than 12 reps per set. If you can easily keep going after 12 reps you need to choose a heavier weight.

    Also be sure to take a minute or two of rest between sets.


    Promote yourself and earn more money! This is a business that is owned by strippers for strippers. Let's make that money!


  10. #10
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    13,598
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 28 Times in 23 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    I can shoulder press 35 pounds...bench press about 60-70 pounds and bicep curl about 30 pounds...

    You may want to try upping your weights.

  11. #11
    Featured Member cottoncandy's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2004
    Location
    North
    Posts
    761
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Wow, you ladies are in great shape. I'm going to up my weights. Thanks.

  12. #12
    Jay Zeno
    Guest

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    I don't know about weight training theory. When I ripped my shoulder, I went to light weights, more reps, just instinctively, and it seemed to work for healing. At least I didn't tear anything again. Now if I machine-bench 20 reps of lighter weights, it feels a lot better on my shoulder, and I get a better pump, than 10 reps of heavier weights.

    I dunno. Maybe different regimens work better for different body types.
    Last edited by Jay Zeno; 10-12-2004 at 08:37 PM. Reason: took out specific weights

  13. #13
    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    los angeles, ca
    Posts
    1,431
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    I wonder what vaden lifts???

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

  14. #14
    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Key West
    Posts
    16,343
    Thanks
    1,395
    Thanked 5,487 Times in 2,768 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Quote Originally Posted by VenusGoddess
    Get a good full-body weight routine going. For the girls who think that pole work is all arms...you're in for quite a shock. It's a full body workout and so you'll need to weight train to strengthen everything.
    This is so true. And as Jay Zeno says, using the weight of your legs as momentum is very helpful. Pole tricks are about leverage as much as they are about strength, if not more so.

    I would recommend push-ups for upperbody strength, and military presses. Push-ups are great because it is harder to injure yourself as can happen with heavier weights.

    Another thing you can do is have someone spot you and do a handstand against a wall. Then lower yourself very slowly until you are doing a headstand--a reverse military press, using your own body weight. After you do this for a while, you can try lowering yourself partway, and pushing back up.

    Keep doing this for a while and you will be doing handstand push-ups, and you will never need weights or a gym again.

  15. #15
    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    los angeles, ca
    Posts
    1,431
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    also with the advice everyone gave... build up your core strength...

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

  16. #16
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    13,598
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 28 Times in 23 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    Quote Originally Posted by Jay Zeno
    I don't know about weight training theory. When I ripped my shoulder, I went to light weights, more reps, just instinctively, and it seemed to work for healing. At least I didn't tear anything again. Now if I machine-bench 20 reps of lighter weights, it feels a lot better on my shoulder, and I get a better pump, than 10 reps of heavier weights.

    I dunno. Maybe different regimens work better for different body types.
    If you are recovering from an injury, then the light weight, high rep is recommended. However, for someone attempting to build STRENGTH, then you absolutely need to have high weight, low rep. You can tone your muscles with the low weights, but you do not build strength. To build strength you need to use a weight that is comparable to your daily functions.

    For me, that means upping my squats and bicep curls to accommodate, not only my weight, but the weight of my daughter, as well. Otherwise, it just would not be effective as I my body is used to lifting a certain amount of body weight...and going to the gym and bicep curling 5 pounders or squatting with 20 pounders just isn't going to get results.

    Hope that makes sense. Sometimes things sound so much better in my head before I type them. LOL

  17. #17
    Veteran Member josie's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Detroit!
    Posts
    342
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 26 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: Upper Body Strength

    i find that most pole tricks i do are more ab strength and less arm strength. i don't do a lick of excersize, i worked up the strength to do my tricks by practicing over and over and over again.

Similar Threads

  1. Upper body strength?
    By lookingformoi in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-01-2009, 08:15 PM
  2. Upper Body Strength
    By MsLayne in forum Body Business
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-10-2008, 12:21 PM
  3. Upper Body Strength
    By Sophia_Starina in forum Body Business
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 03-02-2007, 08:21 AM
  4. Upper Arm Strength For Pole Tricks
    By exotic0690 in forum Body Business
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-22-2007, 01:20 PM
  5. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-25-2006, 12:33 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •