Too Much Pole… Is There Such A Thing?

Over the last few weeks I’ve really stepped up the amount of poling that I do. I know that with exercise you’re supposed to give yourself a day off a week but sometimes with work, teaching and practice, that doesn’t seem to be possible. I do wonder if there’s such a thing as too much pole?

I’ve been doing a good few hours of poling a day in an effort to keep up my skills and prepare for classes. I love working out but find that I’m quite exhausted physically and mentally and wonder if I’m doing too much?

How Much Is Too Much?

I know a lot of polers who have tried certain moves out too often and have wound up getting aches and pains that never seem to go away. I also know absolute beginners who say they have pulled a muscle trying out their first spins. Perhaps if I look after myself when I work out then I’ll be okay? Hmm…

Currently I try and pole twice a day – once to work on the moves I’m aiming to get, and the second time to work moves I’ll be teaching in class. I thought I was okay at first. I’ve been feeling fine, a little tired at the end of the day, but no aches or pains to speak of.

A few days ago I was working on my Jack Knife and was holding the position when the whole of the left side of my back made a loud clunking noise as all of my bones clicked. I came down, ready for any pain the may occur and yet to my surprise, my back felt amazing and has done ever since. No restrictions or aches at all. Now if only I could get the other side of my back to do that! Needless to say, that made me want to practice everything on the other side as well!

The Pain

Other than lack of time, the only thing that makes me not want to pole is the pain. Today I wanted to work on my side climbs and holds but have a very large bruise on the back on my knee which makes climbing very painful. I had to give up after a few attempts! I decided to switch to moves using on my hands – some easy spins and then handsprings. After a very big pole session last night as well as an hour this morning, my hands are not best pleased. They ache, hurt and are covered in all kinds of lumps and bumps. I guess having tough skin on your hands can come in handy, right?

Do I Calm It Down?

I’d like to say yes, of course I’d give myself a break… realistically I can’t. And a big part of me doesn’t want to. I always keep going and exercising until I get too tired and too worn out. Every little victory and win pushes me a little harder. Of course, I’ll give myself a break if and when I need to – I’m sure this little burst of poling will calm down shortly but for now I’m enjoying the ride and I’ll keep working as hard as I can.

That said, I do keep myself as safe as I can – warm ups, cool downs, plenty of water and mats. I always stop when I feel tired.

What are your thoughts? How often do you pole and should you calm it down or keep going?

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Comments From the PoleFreaks Community:

  1. I think rest is extremely important and that there can be a thing as too much pole.

    I had a significant amount of pole burn on my thighs and my partner refused to spot me for moves at home. He said that I needed to rest. That I was so tired that my climbing was an effort. I REALLY wanted to try “one last time”. He pointed out the redness on my legs and said “you would tell your student to stop at this point and so I am telling you. It’s times like these with “once more” where you are going to get hurt.”

    So, I have my rest days where I do nothing. No stretching, no pole, no running or weights. I take a break for a day or two and then go again. I feel much better for it as well 🙂

  2. rest is important but not for long time. when I start to learn tricks or wanna learn routine , I totally forget about the timing. my practices starts after work. my work is from 8.30 am till 5.30 pm. i Don’t have time to rest at home. I just start pole practice which it can can be from 7 till 12 midnight or 1. I dont feel pain or I Don’t feel tired at that time till I check the time. so my routine always like that. I try my best to give 1 day break though my mind n heart all wanna pole dance or stretch. I feel body ache the 2nd but I recover quickly. I Don’t really get bruises so that’s not issue for me. my problem is when I take two weeks break my body becomes weak, I feel I’m losing strength so I try to take one or 2days max break . some says bcz of too much training 7 hours a day maybe two weeks are not enough for the muscles to recover . I might need more time to recover. so not sure if its true can’t risk

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