Spin Fast, Feel Great
Spinning is a big part of pole and aerial but often it gets abandoned as it can feel uncomfortable. You know that feeling when you’ve just done a big spin and aim for the edge of the room to regain your balance but fall over on the way…? We do too! Here are a few top tips to help you gain spin tolerance and get over the fear of spinning. Soon you’ll be unstoppable!
1. Start Slow
Just like everything else, learning the art of spinning without feeling sick takes time. We recommend starting off with slow, controlled spins so your body can get used to the feeling. As you start to gain spin tolerance and can leave the equipment without feeling dizzy you can increase the speed or duration of your spins.
2. Regain Your Balance
When you leave your equipment after a spin it can feel very disorienting. It’s important to learn a way to regain your balance quickly to stop yourself from feeling too dizzy. Here are a few techniques we use to combat the dizzy feeling:
- Spin the other way!
- Do small jumps on the spot
- Stare at a specific point on the wall/floor
- Make a pair of binoculars with your hands and hold them up to your eyes
- Make a T shape with your hands and place one hand horizontally on your forehead and the other vertically between your eyes
3. Take Breaks
While you’re gaining spin tolerance it’s important to take breaks before you start feeling unwell. This will stop you from feeling too nauseous at the end of your session or from needing to stop your session early. If you don’t know your limit and accidentally spin a bit too much for your comfort that’s fine, but it’s best to stop immediately at this point. Take a break and sit down until you start to feel better. Having small sips of water lets you rehydrate without making yourself feel worse.
4. Simple Tricks
While you’re learning to spin it’s best to stick with moves that you don’t have to move around too much for as this can change the feeling of the spin. Test your spins with tricks that are easy for you and stay in a similar plane of movement. This will make you feel secure on the equipment and can help to build confidence in your moves both spinning and statically!
5. Stay Upright
It’s important to note that as soon as you invert it will feel like you’re spinning the other way! This can be very disorienting so we’d recommend only doing so once you’re used to spinning and to try it slowly at first. It can be good to invert into your spin and do some tricks upside down so you only spin in one direction during your sequence. Once you’re used to the feeling of being upright and upside down you can start doing combos with inverts and climb overs.
6. Snacks
Some snacks and drinks can help combat nausea. Anything with a ginger or peppermint flavour can be particularly useful to settle your stomach. Here are a few things we like to use to feel better:
- Ginger biscuits
- Crystallised ginger
- Peppermint tea
- Mints like polos or tictacs
- Fizzy drinks like ginger beer or coke
Spin with Confidence
We hope these hints help your journey into spinning! If you follow our tips, you’ll gain amazing spin tolerance in no time. Feel free to comment any other tips you have that help you stay stable while spinning up a storm.
Why not come to Open Practice and train with your new-found love of spinning! Or check out our timetable to find the perfect class for you!
