shoulders

So I’m taking this emerging media platforms class and it’s all about incorporating cutting edge technology into reporting and telling stories (being that my study track is “journalism”).

My final assignment (omg I’m so close to being done with school I CAN TASTE IT you guys), is to pick a technology and try out a new way of ~doing journalism~ with it.

This is a tall order because so far we’ve studied:

drones
3d
360 video
sensors
something else I’m probably not remembering because I’m really outta my element here

Frankly, I’m not that interested in any of these things. But sensors caught my eye. Did you know there are stores for different kind of sensors that measure different things that you can buy and use???

Actually this is not quite true, but more on that in a minute. (Note: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is).

Anyway, I found a MUSCLE SENSOR that measures muscle movements, yo!

(PS. Sorry for the “yos,” I’m watching Breaking Bad again. #jesse #bitch)

I immediately got excited about this because of POLE. (one track mind y’all, my classmates are fed up with my ass, I swear).

I thought: what if you could measure shoulder and grip effort in different grip patterns? This is mainly because I’m keenly aware of all these twisted grip controversies and was wondering if there was an objectively way of measuring words we tend to just throw around like “dangerous” and “difficult.”

ballerina prep — …and collapsing in pain immediately after.

Is twisted grip dangerous because it requires more strength than some of us objectively have? It it actually safer because it requires less hand strength to hold, and is therefore more suitable to beginners with very little grip training?

I set out to answer these questions in my field test, and wow, did I underestimate how hard this was going to be.

First of all, sensors, LOL, they do nothing alone. You have to build a mother fucking circuit you guys.

I’m really pressed for time because I’m working full time and taking another class, so this is me soldering in my night gown on a Saturday morning because this is my life lately.

fullsizerender-4

PS. I HAD TO LEARN TO SOLDER FOR THIS CLASS, ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME.

This was definitely an all day thing so we pumped some jams. I woke up just feeling like I needed to hear “Magic Stick,” so I made a Magic Stick playlist. This came on. Soldering was LIT:

fullsizerender-5 — I know you want to hear this song now so click this link for the YouTube video. I GOTCHU BOO

Anyway, after several hours of watching YouTube tutorial videos on things like wire stripping and solder bridge removal, I realized this field test was just not going to work.

For one thing, the numbers streaming in (just… numbers, like 42, 86, 90) weren’t really showing any discernible patterns, even as I flexed a muscle. At first I attributed this to poor soldering, and spent another $34 on a new sensor and resoldered that shit. But on testing this new one, it became clear to me that the slightest motion of the wires (draped on a table as I tested the sensor) was skewing my results, big time.

Proooooobably safe to say that that my idea of strapping this on and trying out pole grips is now doomed, but, I’m going to try it this weekend anyway and see what happens.

Soldering/breathing fumes into the night:

So what do you guys think of this idea?

If I get better at soldering and MyoWare makes a much less motion sensitive and accurate muscle sensor, would this information be useful?

Would you read a story about the muscle output for different poses on the pole, or be into a new system of categorization for pole moves using this info?

I could definitely see this being useful to people working with injuries. Knowing that one grip puts a lot more strain on a bum shoulder than another could be very useful. But that’s just me.

Feedback please!

Say something interesting and I might quote you in my final presentation on this ;D

XOXO

Ah, more reasons to love pole. So. Freaking. Much.

I know a lot of people dance to mix up their work out routines (great idea, by the way!), but fitness has always been just a nice plus of pole for me.

I mean… I’m the type that gets really frustrated when my muscles start giving out because dang, I wanted to practice that one thing one more time!

But the weird thing is, it’s always super random muscles that get tired from pole. Last night I had to give laybacks a rest not because my legs were giving out, but because my big toe was cramping.

Seriously?

Seriously big toe? You’re going to play me like that?

As our instructors like to say though, you can’t ignore even the little muscle issues because a toe cramp can definitely screw with your leg muscles, which can in turn screw with your grip.

Which can then screw with your head. Because you landed on it. OH SNAP.

But seriously, cramps aside, here are weird muscle groups I’ve noticed I’m accidentally keeping in top condition:

1. Inner thighs

Okay this is actually pretty awesome. I remember being in middle school and finding out what “thunder thighs” meant for the first time, staring at my legs for a bit, then frantically doing leg lifts out of my mom’s Jane Fonda book.

Eventually though, I realized “spot reducing” is kinda BS, and resigned myself to a little inner thigh chub. NBD, right?

NOT UNTIL YOU HAVE AMAZING INNER THIGHS. Holy crap, trying not to die while hanging upside down from your thighs is like, the best training ever, apparently, because my inner thighs are looking boss. I mean, I guess I’ll take it?

2. Deltoids

This kinda pisses me off, because I assumed that pole dance would trick out my arms. Nope, just the shoulders.

In fact, the contrast between my super tight delts and loose, ever-so-floppy triceps just makes the whole arm situation look worse. Damn you, fiercely toned delts. Damn you to hell.

3. Calves

Can’t pretend to be angry about this. “Imaginary high heels” at all times (ie. standing on your toes) makes for some awesome, accidentally toned calves that look baller in real heels.

Downside: the shame of running in shoes with lifts in the back. The guy at the shoe store was horrified by by my apparent muscle imbalances, so that’s what I ended up with.*Shame*.

4. Forearms, wrists, and hands

This is kind of a do or die situation, really. After I weaned myself off Dry Hands (grip aid’s a hell of a drug!), my wrists and hands had to get stronger… because I couldn’t really spare any more skin rubbing off, and they must have known that.

I mean, I guess my forearms never really looked fat or anything, but I can the difference. I find myself giving very intimidating handshakes. Though that could also be the cray cray callouses I have, that are scary people. Whoops.

5. Obliques

ROCK ON, I love my new side abs! Kinda wish the rest of the abs would catch up, but I’ll take what I can get. I think it’s all the leg swinging, twisting, and wrapping, but I can actually see individual, Bat-man ablets happening along my rib cage. That’s DEFINITELY a pole perk.

6. Upper back

Holy god is all I can say about this. In addition to posture improvement, my upper back is mighty fine in the muscle department. I think it’s safe to say that this is where the majority of effort is coming from in pole, not arms (at least with spins).

7. Feet and ankles

Weird, right? But all the push offs, the climbing, the ankle hook make their mark. I’m hoping this helps with running, since the top of my feet tend to get tired. Is there a word for that muscle? Moving on.

8. Biceps

Okay this is not a weird muscle. But yes, climbing and inverting will tone the shit out of it.

Any weird places you’ve noticed firming up with pole?

How about muscles you WISH would get stronger, to help with dance?

I work with a lot of personal trainers at my day job so I’m thinking of asking them for help with a strength building routine. If they give me a baller work-out, I’ll be sure to share!

Happy twirls!

Cathy