New Experiences: Pole
Sometimes its nice to find a new perspective...
At the end of December 2024 I began to take up pole fitness again. It was something I had done previously years ago which I eventually stopped doing due to time and I guess not feeling the progress.
I was and still am somewhat of an impatient person, and I wanted to have taken to pole like a duck takes to water. But the truth is nothing and I mean nothing prepares you for the harsh truth…pole f-ing hurts…seriously…truly…I tell no lies. Who knew that gripping a metal pole between your legs could be so painful?! The instructor swings around like its nothing, oblivious to the pain but when you try…lets just say the elegance and grace goes out the window.
Words come out my mouth like ‘Bloody hell thats painful’ and ‘Fuck, shit, bollocks’ my most colourful vocab having a chance to shine.
So what makes me keep coming back? Am I just a sucker for pain? …well maybe a tad.
Pole requires grit and determination. In a beginners class of ten, there are maybe 2-3 people that show up regularly, the rest want to try it out thinking its sexy and glamorous (which the instructors do make it look!). A lot of people do not return again after one class when they realise how much core and upper body strength, and leg strength you need to hold onto the pole. Its a pretty good work out when you think about it - supplementing my gym routine.
But I guess what keep me coming back to pole week after week is the progress and gains.
When I started in December, I gripped with my legs but my arms didnt have enough strength to pull me up or I couldn’t hold on for long. When I started in December, I couldn’t invert on the pole or straddle. When I started in December I couldn’t climb the pole.
When I continued in January, my arm strength got stronger and I was able to pull myself up and stand on the pole. When I continued in January, my leg strength had also improved which meant I had more strength to squeeze my legs over the pole giving me more stability. When I continued I did my first head stand against the pole which was freaking terrifying but made a beautiful pose and photo (its all about them priorities…). But when I continued in January, I still couldn’t invert without the assistance of the instructor (the feeling of inverting was scary) and I hadn’t fulfilled my dream of being a cat up a pole..
When I continued in February, I managed to learn to invert on the pole unassisted on my left side (which is my dominant side). The right side still needed work and assist. But I have to say the more I did the invert, the less the fear became. I couldn’t do the invert into straddle yet and the climb was still a pipe dream.
When I continued in March I changed instructors and went to a different pole class. This one was also a beginners focused class but she explained a lot more around the steps and focused on conditioning. But when I continued in March, I finally managed to invert into my straddle. The instructor was able to identify what was hindering me and help me correct it. I also began to make small strides with my climb, not up to the top but a few inches more than the previous week!
When I continued in April, I finally managed to invert from my right side, and also straddle (although it feels weird). On my left side I am now working on my invert into straddle into hook and down. My climb is maybe an inch higher than it was in March but I am managing to climb more than I have previously which is progress.
Its still a WIP but being able to look back at what I couldn’t do a month ago, and then what I can do now reminds me that you have to keep going and persevere.
Life like pole is full of challenges, but how we choose to tackle, pursue and continue shows us the resilience, grit, determination and strength we all carry inside.
Plus sometimes it helps to see things from an entirely new angle…
