Tips & Tricks for Making Your New Dance Pole Less Slippery

New to pole dancing? Just got your own dance pole to practice at home? Wondering how to make dance poles less slippery? We’ve all been there.

Hundreds and thousands of pole dancers will tell you their horror grip stories with their new stripper poles or dance poles. The truth is, almost all new dance poles are slippery and may require some breaking in. 

We’ve made it simple for you to hit the ground spinning (running?) by collating some practical tips from real and professional pole dancers. 

But before we get into that, one major question we get asked a lot is: Should I Sandpaper my new dance pole? Find the answer to that also below!

Should I Sandpaper My New Dance Pole?

Do not sandpaper your dance pole because you can ruin it. You stand the risk of overdoing it which can eventually ruin your pole’s integrity and expose your skin to micro-abrasions. Taking sandpaper to your dance pole can also ruin its finish.

We recommend getting a grip aid to improve your grip on your new dance poles.

Why Is My Pole So Slippery?

New dance poles are slippery because manufacturers often add a thin protective layer of plastic on the poles to protect them from rust and scratches. You can improve the grip on your new pole by removing the thin layer of plastic on it.

6 Tips: How To Make New Dance Pole Less Slippery

Try with Dry Hands

Sometimes the problem can be solved with a simple wipe of your hands. The excitement of getting on your new pole may have caused you to sweat on your palms. Remember that sweaty or wet palms do not go well with dance poles.

We recommend cleaning your hands and applying some liquid chalk or powder to them.

Throw a Pole Party

Most professional pole dancers know how slippery new dance poles can get, so they throw a pole party to break their new poles in. 

The idea is to get as many hands as possible on the new pole. With this, the poles lose their new touch and become grippier with use.

Warm New Poles 

Most new poles are often slippery and can be frustrating to break in. Many professional pole dancers recommend warming up your poles with a hair dryer. Increasing the pole’s temperature before using it can help your grip and make the experience enjoyable.

Pro Tip: Keep your hair dryer on low setting while warming up the pole. This is both energy-saving and prevents your pole from heating up too fast or becoming too hot.

Clean with Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar is a versatile product to have at home. You can break your new dance pole in by cleaning it with apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar can help you remove the thin protective film on the pole and improve your grip.

Also Read: How to clean your dance pole at home.

Clean with Rubbing Alcohol

A mix of rubbing alcohol and water can do the trick. All you need to do is make a mix of equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol. Wipe the new pole’s surface with the mixture and let it sit for some minutes before cleaning it off. 

This solution is temporary, as the pole will often become slippery after each session. You can keep your rubbing alcohol mix in a spray bottle and use it to wipe your dance pole before each new session begins.

Use Magnesium Carbonate Powder

You can also improve your new pole’s grip by using some magnesium carbonate powder. The powder is commonly used in sporting events like javelin throw, discus, pole vaulting, etc. 

Magnesium carbonate powder can improve your grip on the pole and overall improve your pole dancing experience.

Try out these tips, and we are sure they’ll work out fine for you. Happy pole dancing, and welcome to the dance pole at home club!