Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginner
When I first started pole, I had no idea how much more there was to it than just learning a few cool tricks.
I began my pole journey back in 2008, when the industry was still very much in its infancy. Over the years, I’ve watched it grow, evolve, and transform in ways I could never have imagined.
Back then, there were maybe a hundred recognised pole moves — now there are thousands.
But with that growth and knowledge came a lot of trial and error… and more than a few injuries from learning things the hard way.
If I could go back and give newbie-me a little pep talk, here are the 5 biggest things I wish I knew.
TIP #1
Progress Isn’t Linear (and That’s OK)
Some days you’ll nail a trick first try, other days you won’t be able to hit moves you mastered last week and that’s totally normal. Try not to get in your head about it. Pole is a mix of strength, skill, and mindset, and all of those fluctuate over time.
Learning to be patient and trust the process will save you a lot of frustration. Even the most advanced pole dancers experience regression. Years ago, I would put Janeiro in every competition routine I did. I could do it with my eyes closed. Fast forward 5 or 6 years and, after injuring my back, I now struggle to get into it at all. Some moves I nailed a decade ago I simply don’t have the flexibility for anymore.
And you know what? I’m ok with that. Because I choose to focus on all the incredible things I can still do — and that mindset keeps me loving the journey
TIP #2
Train Both Sides (Even When It Feels Awkward)
When you start, you’ll naturally favour one side. It’s comfy, it’s safe… and it’s the fastest way to hit a plateau and create imbalances. And guess what? Imbalances cause injuries!!! The kind that can keep you off the pole for months. If you’re anything like me and rely on pole for your mental health, that can be one of the worst things ever.
Training your “bad” side will make you stronger overall and stop your choreo or tricks from looking like they’re stuck on repeat. Your future self will thank you when you can nail tricks both sides for photoshoots, comps, or performing. And here’s the kicker: as you advance, you’ll find plenty of combos where you HAVE to use your bad side. Suck it up now and save yourself the drama later.
TIP #3
Strength Conditioning is Your Best Friend
Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “Of course he’s saying this — he just wants us to join his online strength and conditioning challenge.” And… partly, yes because I know the benefits. See video to the right for an example. But honestly, I want you to incorporate conditioning into your training because I know how powerful it is for injury prevention and levelling up your pole game.
When I started teaching conditioning regularly, I noticed I stopped getting injured like I used to. And for someone who hates conditioning (yes, you heard me right), that alone made it worth it. We make it fun, we push through it three times a week, and we reap the benefits.
When I first started pole, I thought pole training alone would make me strong enough for the moves I wanted… nope. In fact, it did the opposite! I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t progressing. I wish I’d started conditioning earlier in my career, because I can only imagine how ridiculously strong I’d have been back in my 20s.
And here’s the part most people overlook: cross-training. Off-the-pole conditioning builds the foundation that makes EVERYTHING easier from your first invert to that advanced spin combo you’ve been stalking on Instagram. Think pull-ups, core work, full-body exercises, and flexibility training. And while we always work both sides, we’ll inevitably still have a “better” side which, as I mentioned earlier, can lead to muscle imbalances. Cross-training not only helps even out those imbalances but also adds another layer of injury prevention.
Want to learn more?
If you want to improve your strength click the link below 👇 to find out more about our online classes!
Explore our online classesWant to learn more?
If you want to improve your strength click the link below 👇 to find out more about our online classes!
Explore our online classesTIP #4
Grip is About Technique as Much as it is About Products
When you’re new, it’s easy to think you just need “better grip” and all your problems will magically disappear. While grip aids can help, most of the time the real fix comes down to strength building, technique, hand placement, engagement, and body alignment.
Now that you know this, it’s time to work on building not just your hand strength, but also your forearm and shoulder strength. There are tons of exercises both in the gym and at home that can help improve your grip. Make sure to speak to your teacher to get some inspiration on options that could help you or check out tutorials on youtube to get you started. Once you nail those, you’ll find you don’t need to bathe yourself in Dry Hands before every class.
Suffering with sweaty hands? Urgh, the worst. As a beginner, mine were terrible. Over time, thanks to years of pole dancing and a lot of product testing, they’ve improved, but I’m still naturally a sweaty person. The game-changer for me was Driclor! A product originally made for people who sweat excessively under their arms. It’s a roll-on that I used on my hands and even the bottoms of my feet to stop excessive sweating. It’s used at night and shouldn’t be used excessively as it can make your calluses crack (painful).
If you want to know more about Driclor and other products I recommend, make sure to check out my grip blog here
TIP #5
Video Yourself (Even When You Hate Watching It Back)
It’s not about vanity — it’s about feedback. You’ll catch things on video that you can’t feel in the moment: pointed toes, dropped shoulders, rushed transitions, or even just how much you’ve improved.
Every January when we kick off the 31-Day Strength & Conditioning Challenge, I make sure ALL students record their Day 1 tricks. Why? Because videos are the easiest way to see how far you’ve come and where you might still need some work. Plus, if you happen to get a spectacular fail on camera, we can share it on @polelols and all have a good laugh together!
Yes, filming yourself can feel awkward at first, but it’s one of the fastest ways to refine your movement and track your progress. And the good news? These days, it’s much more normal for people to record themselves training or performing so don’t be shy.
Pole is a journey. Its sometimes frustrating but most often it’s very empowering and always worth it. If you’re starting out, know that every pole dancer you look up on instagram was once a beginner too. Stay consistent, stay curious, and most importantly, enjoy the process.
Oh and join me for online classes of course where I can help you level up your strength, teach you new tricks and choreographies and you’ll even get to take some fantastic guest classes. And ALL from the comfort of your own home.
To get more info and come and join us… CLICK HERE!