Are you struggling to maintain your grip on the pole during your pole dance routines? If so, you're not alone. Proper grip is essential for executing pole dance moves and maintaining balance. Luckily, there are various grip aids available that can help you improve your grip and performance.
Here are some of my personal favorite pole dance grip aids and how they can help:
-
"Dew Point" Spray: This is a popular grip aid that's often searched for. It's a moisture control spray that helps keep your skin dewy, preventing slipping and providing a better grip. It's great for your legs, and it's easy to apply.
-
Pixie Potion Spray Grip: Another great grip aid that is maybe less known but I found it absolutely amazing for is Pixie Potion Spray Grip. It's great for providing extra grip on contact points and can help you execute more advanced moves.
-
"Dry Hands": Many people search for "Dry Hands" grip aid because it's a classic product that's been around for a while. It's ideal for those with sweaty skin as it helps to dry up the sweat and provides a better grip.
-
"Monkey Hands": This is another popular grip aid that people search for. It's a lotion-like grip aid that's great for your hands, providing a better grip and helping you maintain control of the pole.
-
Lupid Pole Grip Pad: This is a great grip aid for cleaning and rubbing the pole to make it sticky. It's a versatile product that many pole dancers use to improve their grip and performance.
-
Aloe Gel: This is a natural grip aid that can be used as an alternative to "Dew Point." It's great for providing a dewy finish and helping you maintain a better grip. I persoanly like Holika Holika.
In the "old days" when I started pole and pole grips were not as widely available and the range was a lot less wide. Me and other dancers I know used to use shaving cream (oil-free) as the grip aid or even hairspray. I also made my own spray grip with glycerin, distilled water, and a dash of vodka as a preservative.
Remember, the type of grip aid you use may depend on your skin type and even the season. In winter, when the air is drier, you may need to use more moisturizing grip aids, while in the summer, you may need more drying grip aids.
Another important aspect of grip aids is ensuring that the pole is clean and warm. Some people like to warm up the pole with a towel soaked in hot water before starting their practice session. When it comes to cleaning, there are special pole cleaning sprays available in the market, but I personally prefer using an old-school Xpole cloth made of a special fabric that magically makes the pole grippy using only water to clean it. It's also eco-friendly, as I've had it for over 10 years now (yes, I'm a pole dinosaur) and it's still going strong. Washing it from time to time keeps it as good as new.
Before you start your pole practice, it's crucial to warm up your body properly. Warming up helps to increase your heart rate, blood flow, and body temperature, which in turn helps to reduce the risk of injury. A good warm-up can include light cardio, and some dynamic stretching. It's also important to wear comfortable and flexible clothing, like the Christy lounge wear set (pictured above) , to ensure that you can move freely during your warm-up and pole practice. A short dance practice can also be a great way to warm up, as it improves your ability to flow and adds a few spins to warm up the pole. It's important to remember that warming up is essential to getting the most out of your pole practice and staying safe while doing it.
In conclusion, if you're struggling to maintain your grip on the pole, don't worry. There are various grip aids available that can help you improve your grip and performance. Experiment with different types of grip aids to see what works best for you, and always warm up before starting your routine. Its good idea to swap with your pole friends as if something does not work for you it can be great for somebody else. With the right grip aids and a little practice, you'll be executing those pole dance moves like a pro!
Whats your favorite pole grip? let us know in the comments below!
Love,
Agata