I’m So Slippery - HELP!
Why am I so slippery now? I wasn’t a week ago.
I was recently teaching a class and the entire class was talking about how slippery they were that day. Being a group newer to pole, I took the opportunity to point out that everyone was slippery that day, and also the weather had changed.
What we often don’t take the opportunity to talk about as a community is how much a change in weather pattern can affect our training, for better or for worse. In Alberta we generally train in a drier climate, which often means adding moisture to our body is what helps us stick to the pole. When it is dry all the time, you don’t realize how much of a shift in temperature to colder can actually force you to change how you are approaching preparing your skin for training.
How Weather Affects Grip
Temperature and humidity are the primary environmental factors that can affect your grip on any given day
A shift into colder weather can dry out your skin (even more dry than warmer weather in Alberta!) which reduces natural tack
Cold weather can make it take longer for your pole to warm up, which makes it feel slicker until it warms up with your body temperature
This shift in tack and temperature can change how your skin and pole interact, so your grip routine can feel different from one day to the next
Pole Material and Finish
Did you know that we have two choices of pole finish at Embrace? We have both chrome and stainless steel
With the weather change, your skin may feel tackier on one over the other
If you are able, we recommend giving the other pole finish type a try if a shift in your grip routine isn’t working
Tips to Help Grip During the Winter
On non-pole training days, use a light hand cream/body lotion to increase retained moisture in the skin
Change up your grip routine, we have lots of grip options available at the studio, feel free to ask your instructor what might work best based on what you are experiencing
Drink water. Hydration supports all your organ systems including your skin.
The Bottom Line
Feeling a change in your grip as the weather changes is normal, don’t feel like you are alone! Changes in humidity, temperature, and skin moisture are all factors that can contribute to the changes you are experiencing. By adjusting your skin prep, grip aids, and keeping your pole clean and warm you can increase your chances of maintaining consistent grip on the pole.
