"Hey! Ive actually just started taking pole fitness and i absolutely LOVE it! I feel your pain though, it's frustrating not being as strong as you'd like to be. And that note, I'm currently saving my moolah for an x-pole :)"

"Just saw this! I started poling in February 2011 and love it...My studio has a very structured learning system so I'm just now graduating to the advanced series of trainings. I would love to perform more ( maybe even compete a little bit for…"

"I used to pole dance. I still have my pole packed away in my closet. Our old work out room has been taken over by my son, and his room by our daughter so I haven't danced in over a year. I am the same way I am off and on about it. I find it…"

"I've heard some unfortunate news about XPole USA these days, that their new poles are made of cheaper materials, there has been some account of twisting, bending, and even cutting people (though I can't imagine how this happened??).…"

"Yep, I have an X pole and I love it. You can invert, spin with all your weight, do pretty much anything and it will stay put! They are expensive, but they're definitely worth it!"

"I'm a hooper thats looking into the other aerial arts.  I was excited to see this topic & the opinion of X Poles.  I've been  frustrated reading product reviews where it ends with "not intended to support full…"

"Ahhh! Pole burn is the absolute worst. I have been pole dancing before I even heard of hooping, but I enjoy hooping more because it is less painful. I have really thin, fair skin. Not only does it burn like hell, but it bruises and sometimes even…"

"I took one pole class about a year ago.  I think its so beautiful, and had lots of fun in the class.  And wow, what a workout.  I was sore for daaayyyss.   The only reason I don't do it now is cost and convenience."

"I'm sorry if I came across attempting to put the pole community to shame. I didn't intent to- I love the pole community, and I love pole dancing. Unfortunately, in my hometown, we had both poorly-trained instructors AND a studio that was…"

":D Me too! I belly danced as well. Being well rounded makes performing much more fun :)"

"Awesome! Sounds like you had a great time! Was your moodhoop expensive? I'd really love to get an LED hoop when I get better at it! Pretty awesome that you had another spinner around too! :)"

"Personally, I don't think this was entirely necessary. Posting your grievances with someone in public is a lot like running out to the schoolyard and telling everyone that they were mean to you- we're all adults, and I'm sure that, as…"

"i followed some of your advice here, and i was able to flow today. i just kinda went with it and pretended i was bellydancing with my hoop and off i went. it rocked!"

"there are three things that I think really helped me get into my own dancey flow. 1. multitasking. practice moving your arms while you hoop, and concentrate on graceful movement until you feel like you can do it in your sleep while still…"

"Like everyone said, adding some fancy footwork can really up your hooping into dance territory. But what I found easier, when I was just starting core hooping, was to incorporate my arms! Wave around your hands, throw them up in the air, do whatever…"

"like everyone is saying.... if you practice with music it just come naturally to you... although right now you dont know many tricks you will begin to learn them as you try to branch out... really you can take your hooping in any direction. i would…"