If you’ve been a pole dancer for more than five minutes, you’ll be aware that grip is something of great importance to polers, and a much-discussed topic in our community. There are so many types of grip aids available to assist with different grip problems that choosing the right ones for you can get confusing! In this article I’ll explain common grip issues and then troubleshoot them, as well as provide a detailed description of how to use a range of popular grips for best results.
And just a quick note – this article is independently written and not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the grip brands mentioned 🙂 

Types of grip problems 

Dry slip

Dry slip occurs when there is not enough moisture in the skin to provide the amount of traction and stick required to be able to grip the pole. Imagine trying to stick to the pole with a piece of dry paper covering all of your grip points – that’s basically what it feels like! It’s a common misconception that pole dancers shouldn’t EVER moisturise and that sweat and oil are the only things that can cause grip issues. However, dry slip is a very real and very common issue for many pole dancers! 

Recommended grip aids/ methods

• Itac2 
• Dew Point 
• The Shaving Cream Method 
• Pole Physics

Tips for people with Dry Skin 

• Moisturise with an oil-free lotion before pole. For some people this can mean a few hours before pole, and for some it can mean the night before. Experiment to find out what works for you. Often lotions are safe as they tend to be water-based, whereas moisturising creams or butters are often oil based and may create an oily film on the skin, which we don’t want. 
• Stay hydrated 
• Warm up the pole before you get on it 
• Warm up your body to encourage it to sweat a little
• Apply Dew Point or Itac2 as needed 
• Use the Shaving Cream Method 

Oily skin 

Oily skin is not often spoken about among pole dancers as it’s commonly confused with being sweaty. Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands excrete too much sebum. Often people notice this on their faces, but it can affect other parts of the body such as the back and chest. Although the back and chest are rarely used as grip points on the pole, grip issues can arise from the transfer of oil onto the hands, other body parts, or the pole – thus causing you to slip. The other way your skin could become oily is if you are using an oil-based body cream or other beauty products and not washing them off well enough before hopping on the pole. And even if you are careful to only use your oil-based products on non-pole days AND you shower before pole, some people still find that when they start to sweat residual product gets pushed to the surface of the skin and the dreaded slip begins! 

Recommended grip aids/ methods 

• Dry Hands
• Tite Grip II 
• The Dish Soap Method 

Tips for people with Oily Skin 

• Always have a hand towel (or two) available to wipe your hands and body between tricks 
• Shower before pole class 
• Do not use oil based beauty products, especially on days you know you will be on the pole 
• Regularly wipe the pole down with methylated spirits 
• Wash hands with dishwashing soap before applying any grip 
• Appy Dry Hands or Tite Grip II as needed 

Sweating

Sweating is a natural bodily function that helps to regulate your body temperature. There are many reasons you might perspire, such as if you are exercising, feeling anxious, hot, or if you develop a fever.  While it’s normal to sweat, it can be annoying for pole dancers who find themselves feeling too sweaty and slipping on the pole. Sweaty hands is actually the number one grip concern for pole dancers and most of us have experienced it at some point. 

Recommended grip aids/ methods

• Dry Hands 
• Tite Grip II 
• The Dish Soap Method

Tips for people with Sweating

• Always have a hand towel (or two) available to wipe your hands and body between tricks 
• Regularly wipe the pole down with methylated spirits 
• Wash hands with dishwashing soap before applying any grip 
• Use Tite Grip II on hands and feet 
• Put Dry Hands directly on the pole 

Hyperhidrosis 

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive perspiration. As a result, many people with hyperhidrosis will drip with sweat even when the circumstances don’t call for it, such as when they are relaxing in air conditioning or simply sitting at a desk working. This condition can be very frustrating for pole dancers because so much of what we do requires a reliable grip on the pole. Many polers with hyperhidrosis do find acceptable workarounds with grip aids, but please always check in with your doctor if you are concerned about excessive sweating – they might discuss treatments with you such as botox and iontophoresis depending on your individual needs. 

Recommended Grip aids 

• Tite Grip II 
• Dry Hands
• Mueller Stickum Spray
• The Dish Soap Method 
• Mighty Grip gloves and ankle grips
• Sticky leggings

Tips for people with Hyperhidrosis 

• Always have a hand towel (or two) available to wipe your hands and body between tricks 
• Regularly wipe the pole down with methylated spirits 
• Wash hands with dishwashing soap before applying any grip 
• Use Tite Grip II on hands and feet 
• Put Dry Hands directly on the pole 
• Invest in some good quality sticky leggings, gloves and foot grips 

Other things that can cause grip issues

Cold Pole

A cold pole can make it difficult to grip. A couple of good ways to warm up the pole include to rub it up and down vigorously with a dry cloth and then hold the pole and do some walks, basic spins or simple grounded freestyle dancing. If you’re in a really cold area, some people use a hair dryer or heated blanket to help heat the pole up. But take care – if the room and the pole are seriously cold it can be hard for you to get warm enough to train safely.

Body Hair

If you prefer your body to stay ‘au naturel’, it may contribute to grip issues. Body hair (especially if it is quite abundant) will act similar to fabric, making it difficult to stick to the pole. While it may contribute, the good news is that it can usually be ameliorated with the use of grips aids such as shaving cream. So if you don’t want to sacrifice your glorious fuzz, you may need to experiment with using grip aids. 

Lack of grip strength in the hands

An issue that’s common in beginner pole dancers is a lack of strength in the hands, i.e. simply not being able to hold on tight enough. The good news is that as you progress, your hands will naturally get stronger. This can take a little time, but practice and perseverance will get you there. It can help to learn to focus on holding a strong grip in movements that you currently slide out of. It sounds obvious to say, but many beginner students are surprised at the difference that actively focussing on a firm squeeze of the hands can make! And check in with your teacher to make sure your technique is correct. Sometimes a small change of position can eliminate grip struggles in certain movements. If you want to speed up the process you can also invest in a hand grip strengthener and incorporate some wrist and hand strengthening exercises into your training. 

 

Popular grip aids

For hands: 

• Dry Hands
• Girly Grip 
• Koala Grip 
• Enviro Grip 
• Tite Grip II
• Mueller Stickum Spray

For Body: 

• Itac2 
• Dew Point 
• Pole Physics
• Dancing Dust 
• Sticky leggings 

Instructions for most effective use of popular grip aids 

Dry hands 

Dry Hands is the go-to grip for a large number of pole dancers as it is extremely versatile. Rub a pea-sized amount into your palms and wait to dry before getting on the pole. Dry Hands can be used on any part of the body that gets sweaty including hands, feet, inner thighs, and other grip points. Often people will apply directly to the pole. 

 

Itac2 

Itac2 is best used on the body, on parts that will come in contact with the pole. Avoid getting on your palms at all costs! If you do get it on your palms or fingers, make sure to wash them with soap after application. To apply Itac2, use the back of your hand or a cloth to rub a pea sized amount on your grip points, such as the inner thighs, knee and elbow pits and side of the tummy. 

Tite Grip II

Tite Grip II is great for sweaty hands and feet. Simply rub a small amount into your palms and the bottom of your feet and wait until dry before getting on the pole. It is beneficial to do this 30 minutes before touching the pole as it is an antiperspirant for your hands and benefits from having some time to work before poling begins. 

 

Dew Point 

Dew Point is for people who experience dry slip. Spray all over the body as needed and wait until it is fully absorbed into the skin before getting on the pole. Do not spray onto the pole or directly onto your hands. If you do get it on your hands, make sure you wash them with soap and water. 

 

Pole Physics

Pole Physics is a revolutionary moisturiser specifically designed for the dry-skinned pole dancer. Simply apply to your entire body at least 2 hours before you plan on pole dancing (I would do it in the morning after showering, and some people like to apply it the night before pole) and enjoy the benefits of soft, hydrated, grippy skin! 

 

Mueller Stickum Spray

Mueller Stickum Spray is a sticky adhesive designed for athletes such as rugby players to improve grip in wet conditions. It creates a tackiness which will improve grip even in wet conditions when applied directly to the hands and fingers. You only need to apply once per session as you can reactivate it by running your hands under cool water. To remove you will need to use a solvent such as Tuffner Remover Spray. 

Grip Methods

The Shaving Cream Method 

The Shaving Cream Method was birthed by some of the earliest pole pioneers in Australia. The process involves simply rubbing shaving cream all over your grip points in order to stick to the pole better. The reason it works is that it moisturises the body and creates a touch of tackiness, without causing greasiness, to allow you to stick to the pole. The best shaving cream to use is the foaming varieties. PoleSphere instructors Miss Filly and Joanna Littlewood-Johnson recommend Gillette Men’s Foaming Shaving Cream. However, Lisa D finds that the shaving cream method makes her slimy and slippery, so it’s definitely a technique that needs testing to see if it suits your skin type!

 

 

The Dish Soap Method 

The Dish Soap Method is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is wash your hands using dish soap in place of regular soap before applying any grip. The logic behind this method is that the dish soap gets rid of any excess oils and sweat that may be on your hands. Unlike normal hand soap, dish soap doesn’t contain any moisturising properties that could make your hands slippery, making it the perfect pre-pole hand washing solution! 

 

So, in conclusion I’d say that if you’re finding yourself losing grip on the pole, never fear! There really is a solution for every Slippery Susan out there. Use the above information to figure out firstly what is causing the slip, and then experiment with the various grip aids and methods to find what works best for you. Each person will usually find that their grip strategy or combination of strategies is different to every other person in their class, so don’t hesitate to mix and match methods until you find what gets you sticking to the pole with ease.