Ever wondered what items the pros use to lift their training game to the next level?
What are the essentials in their pole bags – the things they can’t pole without?
Well, we’ve asked the PoleSphere instructor team to share their must-have products with us, and some of the answers might surprise you! What mystery beverage does Lisa D drink to give her super strength before training? How exactly does Miss Filly stick to the pole? Why does Chilli Rox always look like an Amazonian goddess? Are you ready to take your pole kit to the next level?
Here are the PoleSphere instructors Top 10 Must Have Items for Training and Competing:
- Dry Hands. This is a pole dancer’s best friend, and a favourite of many on the PoleSphere teaching team. The grip aid of all grip aids. If you don’t have at least 3 almost-empty bottles rattling around at the bottom of your pole bag in case of a “Dry Hands drought” are you even a pole dancer? The only person we know who doesn’t use Dry Hands is Chilli Rox, who clearly is a magical unicorn who doesn’t get sweaty hands.
- Headphones. These are extremely useful if you’re in a crowded training room and you want to tune out the noise and focus on your own vibe, and they’re also a must-have backstage at comps if you’re trying to get into the zone by listening to your song on repeat. If you’re ever backstage with Megan B, you may spot her in her special green dressing gown (her secret lucky charm) and her old school iPod and Beats headphones. Filly loves a set of headphones backstage too, where she can be found rocking out to her ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ playlist.
- Caffeinated Beverage. Numerous studies have shown caffeine to have a positive impact on training outputs for athletes, and so in true hipster style, Lisa D, Filly, Jo and Carlie all opt for a good old coffee to get the blood pumping shortly before they train. Adam Lin goes for a bit of caffeine too, but he prefers to sip his in the form of a fresh green Bubble Tea through one of his own ADAML branded straws (eco-friendly and reusable, of course).
- Roller, Peanut and Spiky Ball. Pole dancers get tight muscles – oh, yes we do. Using a roller, spiky ball or peanut (a massage tool with two rubberised balls joined together in the middle) before, during and after training can help loosen muscles and promote a quicker post-training recovery. These are also great tools to use backstage at comps and performances to help prepare you to bring your best show to the stage. Jo, Lisa and Tammy swear by their rollers!
- Shaving Cream. Did you know the old-school pole dancers used to use shaving cream as a body grip aid? It is most beneficial for people who suffer from slippage due to dry skin (and less for those who are naturally more oily or sweaty). Many polers still use it, even with the many grip options on the market now! PoleSphere babes Filly and Jo use the Gillette men’s shaving cream for all their grippy needs and swear by it – just remember this grip aid is best used on the body and not on the hands!
- Heels. If you’re into exotic, Russian or floorwork, a good pair (or 10) of Pleasers are a must have. Heels add a world of colour and fun to any training session, and there are so many awesome designs and heights to choose from these days – you can go 6 inch, 7 inch, 8 inch, and even higher if you’re brave! If you’re lucky enough to have witnessed one of Chilli Rox’s nudie runs backstage at Miss Pole Dance Australia, you’ll notice the only thing she’s wearing is a pair of 7-inch Pleasers from Shoe Me.
- Dancing Dust. Ever wished there was a way to sparkle and be grippy at the same time? Well, fortunately, there is! Great for comps, but also to add a little glitter to the studio (because let’s face it, what pole dancer doesn’t want a bit of shimmer in their everyday), Filly and Adam both love the ‘Make Me Dewy’ Dancing Dust for maximum stick in the dry Melbourne weather. Dancing Dust also makes a ‘Dusty’ option for the sweaty Betties out there. Get ready to shimmer as you live your best grippy life!
- Dew Point. Another one for those who suffer from the dreaded dry-skin slippage, and a favourite of PoleSphere legends Carlie, Megan and Jo. Great for spraying on the body (not the hands), Dew Point comes in three strengths: Green – Classic Medium, Yellow – Classic Light and Red – Classic Ultra. Carlie, Megan and Jo all reach straight for the red label to keep them sticky for training and comps.
- Snacks. Food. Sustenance. It’s so important to keep your body nourished during training to keep you from crashing or losing focus. AJL is always organised with bananas, blueberries and Clif Bars ready to go in her pole bag. Filly is also a fan of bananas for sustenance and also likes to chew on some beef jerky backstage at competitions. A selection of healthy snacks in the pole bag is a must! Pop them in the night before so they are there when you need them.
- TheraBands. These are phenomenal for assisting you with resistance-based conditioning, prehab and rehab exercises. Not only do Lisa D and Carlie use TheraBands regularly in their own training (and with both of them being Pilates instructors you know they’re serious about prehab and strength building), you will also spot them using bands in their stretch and conditioning videos on PoleSphere so you can learn how to incorporate these amazingly useful tools into your own training!
So there you have it, the best kept secrets of the PoleSphere teaching team’s kit bags! What do you use to make poling easier and your training sessions more productive? Are there any products not on the list that you swear by? Let us know in the comments!
