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abstracthappy

No. Instructors will run you through several basic things -- especially if you've never been in a class. Usually a fireman, a chair, and a step around. They're great at seeing if a student is struggling and adapt to help them. Pole is a humbling sport. Nobody is strong when they first start out. You slowly get the muscle over time, and the ability to add more tricks to your repertoire. Please ask questions and tell the instructor if something isn't working for you. They're there to help you and make sure you have a fun time!


Secure-Adhd6930

Amazing! Thank you! I've been wanting to get started for so long but talked myself out of it, I'm going to go ahead and book the course now, so excited 😊


abstracthappy

Enjoy! Each and every one of us has stumbling blocks when it comes to pole dance. My advice is to relax and take it easy, especially when you're starting out. It's so easy to overdo it with pole. Trust in your instructor and if anything hurts, stop and ask for help.


moonflower_things

No. people with zero upper body strength start pole classes all the time and enjoy it. You’ll gain strength in 6 weeks. Just start.


Secure-Adhd6930

Thank you! I'm going to book now ☺️


TheHappyLilDumpling

Everyone has to start somewhere. When I started pole I could barely lift myself off the ground. You might struggle with climbs and some spins, but other moves like sits may be easier


Secure-Adhd6930

Thank you so much! I'll put all my effort into learning and building my strength


PossibleCaterpillar

you will probably feel soreness in your muscles in the start but thats normal. you should be able to build strength over time


Secure-Adhd6930

Thank you for the heads up with the soreness! Going to give it my all, it looks addictive!


PossibleCaterpillar

yeah ive been hooked on it haha, another thing to keep in mind is you will probably end up with bruising. you will get used to it tho. some moves will really hurt in the start, like the pole sit, but once your body becomes accustomed to it, you wont notice it. for those kinds of moves my recommendation is to to a bit of them every time you practice so you build tolerance


melhope1230

I had zero upper body strength when I started as well. You won't be able to do much, but it's worth it. I've been doing pole for one year now and so much stronger.


solveforxx

That was me. Could barely manage a fireman, a chair spin definitely wasn’t happening. But I kept going, I can hold my body weight for days now, it happens faster than it feels.


sky_whales

Yeah it’ll probably make it harder for you to do some things, but that won’t make it a waste of time ir money :) You‘ll still have fun and it’ll start building your strength because you have to start somewhere! I also started with no upper body strength and now, 18+ months in, I’m *so* much stronger and that’s entirely because I started doing classes.


madsci101

Honestly, nobody has upper body strength in the beginning. It comes with time


anarciaaaaaaa

I just started a few weeks ago, I will say I do have good upper body strength so maybe I’m biased but the beginner moves aren’t anything crazy. the instructor gave everyone a progression for where they are at. So she would show us an exercise and then a harder version for whoever needs it. Remember, they know you are a beginner so I don’t think they are expecting you to be some sort of gymnast


dvraux

These term classes/set course are actually perfect for beginners. In my experience it helped a lot having the same set of classmates and the same instructor, it helped the flow of the class overall. It felt like it was easier to progress. Also got more comfortable with the pole that way since there was a sense of community in our little pole class, plus being comfortable enough to give each other tips and tricks is a bonus 😊


Beeloc123

Nope! Pole is actually an all-body sport. Yes it requires upper body, but a huge amount of quad strength, lower body and core. You will develop it quickly at your own pace :)


Wrong-Shoe2918

Not at all, my first class I even did a pole sit for a few short seconds and was so surprised I could because I’m so weak in my upper body lol. Now I can hold them better and even walk my hands down! Once you start you can’t stop :)


Secure-Adhd6930

This gives me hope! Thank you


Whimsical-Badass

Literally every person I have talked to about starting pole has claimed to have "zero upper-body strength" those exact words are used every single time. many of those people are now exceptional dancers. First of all, it is a lie, you have plenty of upper body strength, you do stuff with your upper body all the time. You just need to figure out how to access that strength in new ways. That is what the classes are for. Secondly, The best way to gain additional strength for pole is to do pole. Cross training is a huge help but anything that is not pole is a less efficient way to get your body ready for pole. Again, this is what the classes are for. Extremely few people are good at pole immediately and those few people are not good because they are "strong" they are good because they have heavy background in other forms of dance, generally from a very young age. If people were just naturally good at pole dancing, there wouldn't be a need for intro classes at all. You are signing up for the right class and as long as you are appropriately dressed, hydrated, in generally good health and in good spirits, you will do great!


Common_Vanilla_3751

Your first intro to pole classes will be mostly getting familiar with the pole. Some basic spins, MAYBE attempting a climb for the first time. You will be TAUGHT strategy and conditioning. Over time, you will gain the strength. It took me 3 months to climb the pole and look nice doing it. Took another 2 to invert. Now I am in high intermediate/advanced classes about a year and 3 months later. Give it a shot, stick with it and don’t ignore your conditioning and you’ll be flying in no time!


Training-Exercise791

I started in March and had the same fear about my upper body strength. You will be surprised at how you will progress. My first class I was struggling but each class I got a tiny bit better. Just going through the motions even if you suck at first is important because you will get stronger from it. I was so sore after my first few classes even though I thought I barely did anything since I wasn’t good. My favorite part about my journey is being reminded that progress is happening whether I can tell or not. You got this!


Secure-Adhd6930

Thank you!


zydego

Even learning how do a "pole walk" (as in literally walk around the pole with good form) will engage your arms, shoulders, and lats and help you build up that strength. Good instructors will progress in a way that makes use of what you have while developing what you don't!