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Grip Aids: Page 3 of 3

There is some discussion over the use of products to aid your grip. Just as various finishes affect your ability to grip and hold onto the pole, there are products that may enhance your grip as well. Some instructors feel you should not use these products when you are learning a new move so that you learn to do it correctly without the aid.

Our belief is that when you are learning new and difficult moves or holds, there are two challenges...that of the strength and ability to grip correctly as well as being familiar with the mechanics of the move itself. I find it's easier to learn the basic mechanics of the move without struggling with your grip at the same time. Once you learn HOW to do the move, then you can work on improving your grip.

Some products you can use:

Home Products
Aloe	Also aides with dry skin so lotions with aloe are good to use
Baby Wipes	Cheap brands without added oils, lanolin or lotion
Corn Huskers Lotion	Hydrates and leaves a mildly sticky residue on your skin.
Gel Shave Cream	Just a tiny dab of gel to improve grip
Hair Spray	Adds a bit of stickiness for grip
Wet Ones	Original version with red cap: does not have softeners in it. Contains aloe which helps with grip
Traditional Grip Products
Cramers Firm Grip Spray	Very sticky product - difficult to wash off skin but really grabs the pole
Cramers Firm Grip Paste	Extremely strong product - is easier to wash off the skin than the spray but not quite as tacky as the spray. Removes from pole with alcohol.
Dew Point	Adds grip by adding necessary moisture to skin...skin which is too dry will not grip well. Many people prefer to use it on extremities rather than on hands.
"Dry Hands" brand product	Make certain that you shake this product really well or it will make your hands extremely sticky so that you cannot even spin on the pole. This is an anti-perspirant sold for those with problems with sweaty palms and it does keep them dry but it also improves the grip with a slightly sticky residue so you can use it on other parts of the body that you need to grip with. Should be applied to clean hands about an hour prior to poling...then apply again as needed. May be combined with other grip prodcuts too.
"Fluid Chalk" brand product	This is a "liquid" climbers chalk which adds tacky grip. Also difficult to remove from skin and pole.
Gorilla Grip Towels	Adds tackiness. Usually sold for golfers
Grrrip	Antiperspirant which may add a bit of grip without being sticky and is water soluble. The PLUS is for extremely sweaty palms and works quite well to stop sweating w/o adding as much tackinessl. Be certain to shake either product well.
ITAC	There are 4 "levels" of strength with level 2 being recommended for pole dancing but level 4 for a more secure grip and advanced work. Many people prefer to use it on extremities rather than on hands.
Mighty Grip	Powder that is activated by the heat of your body. Can leave a build up on pole but cleans off easily. Adds grip and helps somewhat with sweat.
No Sweat	Antiperspirant which may add tack for grip and is water soluble so it can be washed off
Prince Grip	Found in tennis supplies. Dries out sweat and adds a touch of grip so that you can still spin.
Tite Grip	Antiperspirant which may add tack for grip and is water soluble so it can be washed off
Weight Lifters Chalk	Does not add tackiness but absorbs perspiration on your hands however it can leave a build up of chalk that you need to clean off your skin & pole
Alternative Products
Electrical Tape	Often applied as a wrap around the foot/instep to protect the skin AND add grip without slipping off the skin as PVC tape can do.
PVC Products	Shoes, boots or tape (bondage tape) will help your feet and legs grab and hold onto the pole

Keep in mind that everyone's chemistry is different so try various products to find the one that works best for you. Some may simply eliminate sweat for one person but another finds it also adds a tackiness to their hands. Hands should be washed and dried well before applying any product in order to maximize effectiveness.

When you feel the need to apply a lotion to dry skin, you may try using baby lotion. Experiment with different brands but you will generally have best results with cheap brands that have no lanolin, oils or other products that may result in the lotion being greasy and leaving a slick build up on your skin. Avoid body butters and most sugar scrubs.

Nighttime brands of baby lotion generally fit this description. Aloe can also be a good moisturizer to use without leaving a greasy build up on your skin. Many polers like Vaseline enriched lotion and Pole Physics is specially made with natural ingredients. Pole physics works very well but is a bit expensive for most people.

Use a non-greasy scrub or loofah sponge when you shower to remove dead skin. Apply your lotion several hours before pole dancing and make certain to rub it in really well. Many times we rush through moisturizing just slapping it on and not really rubbing it so that the skin absorbs it then you have a layer of lotion coating your skin making it slick. Rub your lotion in so that it's all absorbed.

Also, extra dry skin will not grip or stick to the pole so using non-greasy lotions but rubbing them in well in advance of pole dancing will keep you from losing your grip, especially in dry climates and during the winter.

A pole that is cold will be more difficult to grip, but a pole that is warm will be easier to hold on to and may even become too sticky. Pole practice over a fairly brief period of time will cause the pole to heat up - making it easier to grip or even too sticky.

Final considerations include that the grip of a pole changes with it's temperature and you may find that different grip products work for you on different types of pole finishes.

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