Grip It Right: Your Essential Guide to Pole Dance Grips on the Gold Coast
Are you overwhelmed by all the different pole dancing grip aids? You’re not alone. When we first start our pole dance journey, one of the biggest challenges is holding onto the pole — especially before our grip strength builds up. Finding the right pole dancing grip aid for your body can be the difference between confidently nailing a move and slipping mid-spin.
Hi, I’m Immy — a pole dancer since 2017 and instructor at GC Polefit, one of the leading studios for pole dance on the Gold Coast. Like many women starting out in pole fitness, I used to slip, slide, and leave class frustrated. Over time, I’ve tried countless grip combinations to find what works — and here’s what I’ve learned: no two bodies grip the same way.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this guide will help you navigate the world of pole dancing grip aids — from liquid chalks to powders, sprays, and even wearable grip wear. Let’s find your perfect match.
Types of Pole Dance Grip Aids
There are three main categories of grip for pole dancers:
Liquid Chalks & Pastes
Powders & Sprays
Wearable Grip Solutions
Liquid Chalk & Paste:
Best for Sweaty Hands
Do you struggle with sweaty hands during your pole dance class? Start here. These grip aids are designed to dry your palms and provide a reliable hand grip, but they can also help with grip behind the knees, elbows, thighs, or even your feet!
💡 Immy’s Grip Tip: A pea-sized amount is enough. Clap your hands to distribute instead of rubbing it in!
🧴 Sky High: Original Dry Hand Grip & Gummy Grip
These favourites from Sky High are perfect for Gold Coast pole dancers who want a strong grip without breaking the bank. Gummy Grip is the scented sister to the Original formula and is a crowd favourite at GC Polefit. Buy online or in the GC Polefit Studio!
🌱 Enviro Grip
Vegan-friendly and housed in biodegradable packaging, this paste-style grip dries sweaty palms and is great for boosting performance in class.
🐒 Monkey Hands
This ultra-grippy formula comes in a range of strengths. I personally use the ‘Sticky Grip’ (red tube) for behind-the-knee and elbow tricks. Be warned: too grippy is a thing.
For other chalk and paste grip options check out: Griptinite and Koala Grip
Powders:
Great for Thighs, Shins & Sweaty Leg Days
While not as common in everyday Gold Coast women’s fitness classes, powder grips are great for targeted areas. I often recommend these to beginner students needing extra grip support for climbs or sits.
✨ Dancing Dust
A body shimmer grip with a velvety puff applicator. Adds sparkle and stickiness to shins, thighs, or wherever you need grip.
🎭 Rosin
Borrowed from the ballet world, Rosin helps reduce slippage on the pole. You can DIY your own with socks and Rosin rocks!
💡 Immy’s Grip Tip: Use powders outside or in easy-to-clean spaces. A little goes a long way.
Sprays:
Best for Dry Skin & Whole-Body Grip
Grip sprays hydrate and create tack, making them perfect for pole dancers on the Gold Coast with dry skin or those who want grip beyond the hands.
🌟 Sky High Glistening Grip
My favourite spray grip! It smells amazing, hydrates the skin, and delivers tackiness where you need it. Available in multiple colours/scents.
🌈 Dancing Dust - Make Me Dewy
A range of body spray grips in delicious scents. The sample pack is perfect if you're just starting out.
Also worth exploring: 🌐 Enviro Mist | Dew Point Pole
Wearable Grip & Unique Alternatives
Not everyone wants to apply product to their skin. If you prefer more coverage, or you're pole dancing in winter, wearable grip options are a game-changer.
👚 Sticky Polewear
Brands like Superfly Honey, Playful Cat Polewear, Paradise Chick, and Gecko Grip offer shorts, leggings, tops, gloves, and kneepads that grip the pole. I love sticky leggings in winter — warm and effective.
🧴 Out-Of-The-Box Hacks
Hairspray: Yes, really. Spray on the legs before a performance.
Shaving Cream: Our instructor, Christine, swears by it for spot grip.
Rock-Climbing Chalk: Check out your local bouldering gym.
💡 Immy’s Grip Tip: If you're struggling, experiment. What works for one dancer might not work for another!
Final Thoughts
There are several pole dancing grip aids available, and experimentation is the best way to find what works for you. Not every grip aid will work the same way every time you get on the pole. Weather and humidity, especially on the Gold Coast, can affect grip, and the material of the pole you use (brass, stainless, chrome) will also make a difference!
💡 Immy’s Grip Tip: Combine different grips to form your super grip.
Personally, on the days my Sky High Gummy Grip isn’t enough, I toss my Rosin Sock between my hands a few times on top of freshly applied Gummy Grip, which creates a grippier solution for me.
And when nothing seems to work at all, my go-to is a metho wipe-down of the pole. While the pole dries, I wash my hands with soap for a full grip reset. A full grip reset. Start each pole class without grip and slowly build up to what you need for that lesson.
Whether you're new to pole dancing on the Gold Coast or you're deep in your pole fitness journey, finding the right grip can totally transform your experience. If you’re curious about starting pole dance classes on the Gold Coast, drop in and visit us at GC Polefit — we love welcoming new dancers to our community of strong, sparkly, unstoppable women.
✨ Got a grip trick I didn’t mention? Share it in the comments — we’re all about lifting each other up (literally).