Introduction

If you've ever started pole dancing, you know the feeling: you're trying to hold on, but your hands just slip. While grip strength naturally develops through training, external factors sometimes interfere. The right grip aid can make a huge difference – not just for performance, but for safety and confidence too.

Using grip is not cheating. It's a tool. Just like chalk in climbing or in gymnastics.

That said, always check your studio's policies beforehand – some prohibit certain products that could damage equipment.

Before You Reach for a Product

Before choosing a grip aid, get the basics right. Good preparation goes a long way:

Clean hands and poles – diluted isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) works great
Use plain soap without oils or moisturizers before training
Restore moisture on rest days when degreasing hands frequently
Warm up properly with light cardio, dynamic stretching, mobility exercises and move-specific conditioning (floor and on the pole)
Warm the pole before training to prevent condensation (popular are basic spins, even a hairdryer can hep in extreme cases)
Develop genuine grip control rather than relying excessively on products

Learning grip control is extremely important. Avoid using extreme sticky grips for basic conditioning, as this undermines strength development.

The Three Main Categories

1. Adherents (Sticky Grip)

Creates a tacky layer helping skin stick to the pole. Common ingredients include beeswax and rosin blends.

Ideal for:

Dry skin conditions
Cold weather training
Strong holds and leg/body grips

Recommended products: Monkey Grip Classic, iTac

Caution: Excessive use creates clunky spins and residue. Requires thorough pole cleaning afterward.

2. Antiperspirants (Drying Grip)

Reduces sweat and moisture using alcohol, silica, or chalk-style products.

Best for:

Sweaty hands
Humid training environments
Hyperhidrosis conditions

Recommended products: Dry Hands, Liquid Chalk, Monkey Hands Dry, Enviro Grip

Quick tip: Try spraying rubbing alcohol on your hands before applying specialized products.

3. Moisture with Tack (Moisturizing Grip)

Adds slight moisture with light grip. Sometimes skin can be too dry to grip – this solves that.

Helpful for:

Very dry skin conditions
Body and leg grip work

Recommended products: Aloe vera gel, Shaving gel, Monkey Hands Sticky, Grip + Glow, Enviro Mist, Dancing Dust

Choosing Based on Skin Type

Sweaty/Oily Skin: Begin with an antiperspirant; add small amounts of adherent only if needed afterward.

Dry Skin: Try moisture-plus-tack products or light adherents. Proper warm-up becomes critical since cold, dry skin grips poorly.

Normal Skin: Grip aid may only be necessary for harder tricks, unfamiliar studios, or specific weather conditions.

Environment & Movement Factors

Different situations require different approaches:

Situation	Problem	Solution
Cold studio	Dry skin; cold, slippery pole	Adherent + extended warm-up
Hot/humid studio	Excessive sweating	Antiperspirant with reapplication
New pole/finish	Different metal feels	Carry both drying and tacky options

Chrome, stainless steel, brass – they all feel different. Your "holy grail" grip at home might feel useless somewhere else.

Movement-Specific Tips

Climbing & inversions: Combine a drying layer with light tack for reliability
Leg & body work: Use lighter adherents or moisture-plus-tack products only
Sliding moves: Avoid strong tacky grips that prevent necessary motion

Important: Never use strong tack products on body skin – this prevents sliding, causes pain, and risks friction burns.

Application Tips

Less is more. Overuse actually causes sliding – the opposite of what you want. Start minimally and add only as needed.

Warm up first. Grip functions better once your skin and the pole reach proper temperature. Don't evaluate effectiveness within the first three minutes of class.

Clean before applying. Old lotion, body oil, and residual grip create slippery conditions. Wipe hands and poles with alcohol before application.

Smart layering. A common effective sequence: apply drying product → allow it to dry → add a small amount of tacky grip on top.

Maintenance & Cleanup

After training sessions, wipe poles thoroughly with a clean cloth and rubbing alcohol – don't be hesitant about applying pressure. Avoid harsh cleaners like glass cleaner, which damage finishes and irritate skin.

Your future self, the studio, and everyone else in class will thank you.