A strong pole grip is key to perfecting your pole moves and transitions while also preventing pole dancing-related injuries.
It may not be the easiest thing for polers, but there's a way to get a grip on it (yes, pun intended) that's effective and keeps you on track to becoming a celebrated poler.
There are different types of pole grip aids and other products, like lotions specifically designed for polers, which can help you overcome grip problems.
Choosing the right one can be confusing. So today, we answered some of the most frequently asked pole grip questions to help you make the best choice. Some of these include:
- What is a pole grip aid?
- How do pole grip aids work?
- What factors affect pole grip?
- Are there alternatives to grip aids?
- Are Pole Physics lotions grip aids?
Below, you'll find answers to these and other questions that'll help you understand the concept of pole grip for polers much better.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Pole Grip Aid?
- How Do Pole Grip Aids Work?
- Why Is Grip Strength Important for Polers?
- Do I Need Grip to Be a Great Poler?
- Can I Use a Pole Grip as a Training Aid?
- What Factors Affect Pole Grip?
- How Does Dry Skin Affect Pole Grip?
- How Does Oily Skin Affect Pole Grip?
- What’s the Perfect Level of Moisture for Better Grip?
- How Does Sweat Affect Your Pole Grip?
- When Should I Use Pole Grip Aid?
- What Are Some Desirable Features of Grip Aid Products?
- What Are Some Great Grip Aid Products?
- Which Grip Aid Products Does Pole Physics Sell?
- What Are Some Alternatives for Pole Grip?
- Does Hairspray Work as a Pole Grip?
- Can I Use Deo as a Pole Grip?
- Can I Use Shaving Cream for Better Grip?
- Does Liquid Chalk Work as a Pole Grip?
- Can Leggings Help With Pole Grip?
- How Do Pole Finishes Affect Grip?
- How Do Silicone and Brass Pole Finishes Compare?
- Chrome or Powder-Coated Finish: Which Is Better for Grip?
- How Can I Improve My Skin’s Grip Naturally?
- Is Pole Physics a Pole Grip Lotion?
- How Does Pole Physics Improve Grip?
- How Is Pole Physics Superior to Other Lotions?
- Is There a Correct Way to Use Pole Physics Lotions?
- What Are the Best Features of Pole Physics Lotions?
- Which Pole Physics Lotions Should I Try?
1 - What Is a Pole Grip Aid?
A pole grip aid is a liquid, gel, spray, lotion, or resin that helps increase the tension on your skin or its ability to grip the pole.
These products are meant to be applied to your grip points, such as your hands, thighs, and knee pits.
2 - How Do Pole Grip Aids Work?
Pole grip aids work by repelling moisture or drying out your skin. They can also balance out dry skin to prevent slipping on the pole.
Grip aids are a short-term solution for sweaty hands during class. However, they don't work well on dry skin in the long term, as they dry out your skin even more, causing you more grip problems.
For this reason we recommend moisturizing your skin with Pole Physics lotions before applying grip aids. These lotions make your skin healthier, soft, and supple, so the grip products work better.
3 - Why Is Grip Strength Important for Polers?
Grip strength is essential in helping you achieve the best pole dancing form and technique.
With sufficient grip strength, you'll be able to hold on to the pole for a long time and even perfect complex moves such as pivots, spins, and inversions.
A lack of grip strength increases your risk of injuries because you’re stressing your wrists more.
4 - Do I Need Grip to Be a Great Poler?
Yes, you do! Grip strength makes you a great poler by enhancing your ability to perform complex moves and tricks for longer, whether you're a beginner or a pro.
It also reduces your need for pole grip products, meaning you can enjoy healthy, well moisturized, and toned skin as a poler—which is a definite confidence boost.
5 - Can I Use a Pole Grip as a Training Aid?
Yes! You can use a pole grip as a training aid. It’ll allow you to perfect your form and technique without constantly worrying about sliding off the pole.
You can also use pole grip on busy days, like when training for a pole competition and your skin is either too sweaty or too dry.
6 - What Factors Affect Pole Grip?
There are several physical and environmental factors that affect your pole grip, such as:
- Weather and climate: On hot, humid days, we tend to sweat more, meaning our skin is slippery and can't grip the pole well. Cold winter days leave your skin feeling dry, making it hard to grip because there's no moisture for traction.
- Your skin's moisture level: Healthy, hydrated skin grips better than dry, scaly skin.
- The pole's temperature: In cold weather, the metal poles (which are the most commonly used) tend to get very slippery, making it difficult for you to grip.
7 - How Does Dry Skin Affect Pole Grip?
Moisture in your skin provides traction to grip the pole. Hence, dry skin doesn’t stick well and can lead to sliding on the pole.
Due to the common misconception that polers should never moisturize, dry slip is actually the most common slip issue for polers.
Even worse, grip aid products are not effective on dry skin as they are designed to work on smooth, hydrated, supple skin.
8 - How Does Oily Skin Affect Pole Grip?
Oily skin also presents a significant risk of slipping.
It’s often a result of overproduction of sebum, which deposits a layer of oil on your skin, making it look shiny and causing grip issues.
Heavy oil-based lotions that are not easily absorbed also make your skin oily, resulting in the dreaded slip issues.
9 - What’s the Perfect Level of Moisture for Better Grip?
Like dry skin, excess moisture and grease compromise your grip and present slip and fall risks. So, it's important you find that sweet balance between dry and oily and maintain it using lightweight and highly absorbent Pole Physics lotions.
These lotions provide you with sufficient traction to prevent you from sliding off the pole, and ensure you perform moves and transitions smoothly.
10 - How Does Sweat Affect Your Pole Grip?
Other than the condition of your skin, your pole grip is also compromised by excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
Excess sweating is the main reason many of us turn to grip aids because dripping sweat affects your ability to grip and move along the pole smoothly.
11 - When Should I Use Pole Grip Aid?
There are several instances when using a pole grip aid is almost inevitable.
- The pole is too cold
- Your hands are too dry
- You have oily hands and skin
- You struggle with excessive sweating
12 - What Are Some Desirable Features of Grip Aid Products?
The best grip aid products are:
- Gentle on your skin
- Lightweight
- Non-sticky and leave no residue
- Contain no alcohol
- Ethical and sustainable
- Environmental-friendly
13 - What Are Some Great Grip Aid Products?
Different pole grip products are suitable for specific skin types.
For instance, Dry Hands and Tite Grip II are great if you have very sweaty skin, while iTac2 and Pole Physics lotions will work great if you have very dry skin.
For instance, Dry Hands and Tite Grip II are great if you have very sweaty skin, while iTac2 works great if you have very dry skin. To improve the efficacy of these grip aid products, start by moisturizing your skin with every poler’s dream moisturizer: Pole Physics lotions.
14 - Which Polegrip Products Does Pole Physics Sell?
At Pole Physics, we sell two of the best polegrip products on the market that are lightweight, fast acting, non-sticky, and loved by many polers.
| Product | Details |
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Enviro Grip
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X-Dry Grip 60ml
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15 - What Are Some Alternatives for Pole Grip?
Other than traditional grip aids, there are several alternatives that can help reduce sliding and the risk of injury.
Most of these are common household items that are affordable, easily accessible, and have been used longer than conventional pole grip aids.
Here are some popular ones:
16 - Does Hairspray Work as a Pole Grip?
Hairspray is a grip aid alternative that creates a desirable level of tackiness.
Pump bottle hairsprays are better than aerosol hairsprays because the former are water-based and provide sufficient levels of tackiness. Pump bottles also help to apply products in a controlled way.
17 - Can I Use Deo as a Pole Grip?
Many pole grip aids are antiperspirant-based to provide you with a long-lasting athletic grip.
Antiperspirant grip aids, like Tite Grip and Girlie Grip, are great because they offer non-slip and no-slick grip.
18 - Can I Use Shaving Cream for Better Grip?
Shaving cream is a time-honored grip aid that works well to add a little extra tack to your inner thighs and knee pits.
Both gel and foam shaving creams work well, but gel shaving creams are thick and tend to get sticky, whereas foam shaving creams are light and require you to apply a few layers.
Precautions when using shaving cream:
- Avoid oily shaving creams as they get too slippery.
- Never apply shaving cream directly to the pole.
- Don't apply shaving cream on your hands.
19 - Does Liquid Chalk Work as a Pole Grip?
Liquid chalk is a popular grip aid alternative used by polers around the world.
It's especially great for polers with sweaty hands and feet as it works as an antiperspirant.
Unlike regular grip aids, you have the option to apply liquid chalk to the pole or directly on your skin.
20 - Can Leggings Help With Pole Grip?
Grippy leggings are another great alternative to grip aids. The sticky fabric on the leggings provides grip, allowing you to perform countless pole moves.
Enviroco Sticky Grippy Leggings are made using recycled plastic bottles. The leggings are classy and give the appearance of an elegant figure by elongating your legs.
These leggings are also amazing if you're looking to beat the cold when enjoying your favorite pole workouts. They feature:
- A high waistband
- A unique leaf design on the sticky parts
- No front seam
- A firm fit that doesn't move around as you pole dance
21 - How Do Pole Finishes Affect Grip?
Dancing poles are made using different materials, which offer polers different levels of grip. Here are some of the good ones:
- Silicone: High grip
- Brass: Best grip among the bare metal finishes
- Powder-coated: Great grip when clean
- Chrome: Best grip for beginners
22 - How Do Silicone and Brass Pole Finishes Compare?
Silicone is extremely grippy and best when you’re poling with clothes on. It’s good for polers in cold regions.
Brass is porous and its grippy finish works well whether you have leggings on or not. It’s also a good alternative for polers with sensitive skin and nickel allergies.
23 - Chrome or Powder-Coated Finish: Which Is Better for Grip?
Powder-coated poles offer great traction and grip, especially when clean and not covered in sweat. It's a cheaper alternative to brass and chrome poles.
Chrome poles are grippy and forgiving for novice polers who’ve not yet developed sufficient grip strength. The only disadvantage is that you’ll find traces of nickel in their coating, which may flare up nickel allergies, if you have any.
24 - How Can I Improve My Skin’s Grip Naturally?
The best ways to care for your skin as a poler to improve its natural grip include:
- Exfoliating 2 to 3 times a week to get rid of dead and scaly skin
- Moisturizing your whole body with a deeply hydrating lotion with no residue or slick
- Self-tanning with an effective and safe gradual tanning lotion that allows you to build your tan as you’d like
Caring for your hard-working skin is key to better grip. It helps you avoid brass burns, bruises, hand tears, and injuries while ensuring you reduce your use of chemical-based grip aid products.
25 - Is Pole Physics a Pole Grip Lotion?
Pole Physics lotions are not pole grip lotions. Instead, they’re long-term solutions to your grip problems that help you achieve healthy and smooth skin with an enhanced appearance, tone, and grip.
They may not be grip products but one try, and you'll be converted and packing away your grip aid products.
Besides, they can help enhance the effectiveness of grip aids.
26 - How Does Pole Physics Improve Grip?
Pole Physics is the only product in the world formulated to enhance polers’ grip and improve the health of their skin simultaneously.
The lotions are lightweight and penetrate the deepest layers of your skin without leaving any residue or creating an unsightly film on the skin when you sweat. In short, you get sufficient moisture to improve your skin's natural grip.
27 - How Is Pole Physics Superior to Other Lotions?
First of all, Pole Physics lotions don't leave any greasy residue on your skin, unlike regular lotions, making them the best choice for pole and aerial athletes.
Secondly, the lotions are designed by polers for polers to improve grip as well as the look and feel of your skin.
28 - Is There a Correct Way to Use Pole Physics Lotions?
Unlike regular lotions that you need to wipe off before getting on the pole, Pole Physics lotions need to be applied 7–10 hours before poling (ideally after your shower).
This allows the lotion enough time to seep into your skin and leave sufficient moisture and traction to grip the pole well. We also advise that you exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week for best results.
29 - What Are the Best Features of Pole Physics Lotions?
Our lotions are lightweight, deeply hydrating, and don't leave you with that annoying slick when you sweat.
Other reasons that make Pole Physics lotions great for polers include:
- They contain antioxidants that soothe skin and relieve polers of brass burns and pole kisses
- Formulated using all-natural and certified natural extracts
- Vegan and zero animal testing
- No chemical nasties, like mineral oils, parabens, and petrochemicals
30 - Which Pole Physics Lotions Should I Try?
All our lotions come highly recommended by polers from all over the world.
While we’d love you to try them all as you search for the best fit for you, the table below highlights three unique formulas that help you achieve better grip and other benefits—like a tan and even tone.
| Pole Physics Lotion | Reviews |
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“Easy to apply, gives an even, natural-looking tan. My grip on the pole has improved.” |
“I love how it’s not oily! No lotion slip on the pole too. Sometimes I use lotion just before poling & haven’t had any slip issues.” |
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“Smells delicious but subtle, and makes my skin feel very healthy and grips the pole with less pain.” |
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