Moisturiser, Fake Tan, Glitter: The Grip Sins Ruining Your Pole Class

Skip the moisturiser before pole class — it's the single most common reason a beginner's grip fails. Lotions, oils, fake tan and glitter all leave a film between your skin and the pole, and grip is the first thing to go when there's a barrier in the way. Come with clean, dry skin, and leave the pampering for after you've trained.

The frustrating part is that this catches people out precisely when they're trying to look and feel their best for class. A fresh application of body lotion or a glitter top-up feels like self-care, but on a chrome pole it's the difference between a spin that holds and a spin that slides. Understanding why these products kill grip — and how long before class to skip them — saves you a wasted session.

Why does moisturiser before pole class ruin your grip?

Moisturiser ruins your grip because it coats your skin in an emollient film designed to sit on the surface and stop moisture escaping — which is exactly the opposite of what you want against a pole. Your skin grips chrome through friction and slight tackiness, and any lotion, oil or cream turns that into a slick layer. Even a thin morning application can be enough to send you sliding.

It's not just your own grip that suffers, either. Whatever's on your skin transfers onto the pole, so a slippery moisturised leg leaves a greasy residue for the next person sharing that pole. Studios spend a lot of time wiping poles down between turns; arriving with clean, dry skin is as much studio etiquette as it is self-interest.

What are the grip sins to avoid before class?

The grip sins are anything that leaves a film or residue on your skin: moisturiser, body oil, fake tan, glitter, heavy perfume and thick sun cream all belong on the list. Each one interferes with the friction your skin needs against the pole. Here are the usual culprits and why they cause trouble.

• Moisturiser and body lotion — the classic grip killer. Even a morning application leaves a film that slides.
• Body oil and cocoa butter — worse than lotion; oil and chrome do not mix.
• Fake tan — the guide colour and DHA layer transfer onto the pole and slide badly, and freshly tanned skin is often still slightly damp.
• Glitter and body shimmer — flakes off onto the pole, ruins grip for you and everyone after you, and gets everywhere.
• Heavy perfume or scented sprays — the oils in them settle on skin and, in a shared space, can bother others too.
• Thick sun cream — same emollient-film problem as moisturiser; if you've been outdoors, wash it off first.

How long before pole class should you skip moisturiser?

Skip moisturiser on the day of your pole class — ideally don't apply any lotion, oil or cream to your legs, arms or hands from the morning of class onwards. If you moisturise as part of a daily routine, do it the night before instead, so it's fully absorbed and washed down by class time. On class day, a plain shower and a good towel-dry is all your skin needs.

Fake tan needs even more lead time. If you want a tan for an event, apply it a couple of days before any pole session and rinse the guide colour off thoroughly, because the surface layer is what transfers and slides. When in doubt, the rule is simple: the cleaner and drier your skin, the better it grips.

What if you've already put moisturiser on?

If you've already moisturised, wash the affected skin with warm water and soap before class, focusing on the legs, arms and hands you'll use to grip. Most studios have a bathroom you can nip into, and a proper wash removes most of the film. A dry flannel or towel finish helps lift any residue soap leaves behind.

If washing isn't possible, tell your instructor — they'd far rather know than watch you slide off a spin and blame yourself. A studio grip aid can rescue a lot, and knowing which product suits your skin and situation makes a real difference. Our grip guide explains the main types, and the grip aid buying guide helps if you want your own tin for slippery-skin days.

Does grip aid fix a moisturiser mistake?

Grip aid can help but it won't fully fix skin that's coated in lotion or oil — the film underneath still gets in the way. Grip aid works best on clean, dry skin where it enhances your natural tackiness rather than fighting a barrier. Think of it as the finishing touch on good prep, not a rescue for bad prep.

Naturally sweaty or naturally dry hands both have their own grip aids, so the right product depends on your skin, not just the situation. If you're new to all this, our complete beginner's guide to pole covers class-day prep alongside everything else, and the what to wear guide explains why bare, clean skin — not just the right shorts — is what makes grip work.