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i was woundering what typer of pole a carbon or a fiberglass i should use. i weigh 150, am not very strong i bench 185, and run a 11.3 100m. so any tips of what kind of pole to get would be helpful im looking at a 16' 1" 160 usc spirit right now.

What do you currently use, how high do you grip, and where are your standards when you use it?

i am using a 15' 7" 155 spirit i hold at the top and my standereds are pushed all the way back.

ec_vaulter wrote:i am using a 15' 7" 155 spirit i hold at the top and my standereds are pushed all the way back.

And you only jump 14'6? I definitely wouldn't go to a longer pole... if you're really blowing through I would get a stiffer 15'7 pole, but my gut says you're probably overgripped and would jump a lot higher on a 15' 170 or such.

The brand doesn't really matter that much, but if you stick with the same length, I would stick with the same brand.

ec_vaulter wrote:i am using a 15' 7" 155 spirit i hold at the top and my standereds are pushed all the way back.

Lower your grip, and improve your technique til you clear 5.00m+, then MAYBE move up to a longer pole. By capping a 15-7 pole, your PR should already be over 16-0. Something's amiss in your technique. Figure THAT out ... it's not the pole.

Kirk

i agree i should be over 16 with that big of a pole. But dont think its really 15'7" cause when we put it up to my teammates 15 foot pole the are close to the same length. i also think the pole is to broke in casue no matter what i try i just blow through it.

ec_vaulter wrote:i agree i should be over 16 with that big of a pole. But dont think its really 15'7" cause when we put it up to my teammates 15 foot pole the are close to the same length. i also think the pole is to broke in casue no matter what i try i just blow through it.

What do you mean by blow through it? Do you have any video? Where are the standards and where do you land?

What other poles do you have available?

Better to get on more power than a longer pole. Maston from Houston in High School jumped 17'3" on 15' ESSX poles!
You will never experience the thrust and the anti-gravity that a shorter stronger pole can provide to your jump unless you try it out.
POLE JUMPING or POLE VAULTING?
if you are overgripping or using too long of a pole you miss out on the timing issues that are very important to your jumping. Learn them now so later you can apply them to much higher heights!
The best and simplest explanation is; a stronger pole one 15 lbs over your weight will left your weight faster and with more thrust, allowing you to lift the hips, turn, and push over your handhold with effortless motion.
Bruce Caldwell

The best and simplest explanation is; a stronger pole one 15 lbs over your weight will left your weight faster and with more thrust, allowing you to lift the hips, turn, and push over your handhold with effortless motion.

what bruce just said is what i've been trying to tell you about the carbon.

ok nick but your trying to put me on a pole that 30lb more than me.
and when i say blow through i mean by the time i should be turning i am still bendingd the pole and my standereds are at 28-30 inches

Rainbowgirl is right. If you are blowing thru on a 15'7" 155 then a 16'1" 150 or a 15' 1" 170 would be the next pole.
Most coaches would recommend the 15'1" for a 15' bar.
YMMV

ec_vaulter wrote: ... i also think the pole is too broke in cause no matter what i try i just blow through it.

No one else mentioned this, so I will ...

There is no such thing as the pole being "too broke in". Instead, it's likely that your technique has simply improved since you first used it.

Poles don't wear out ... they don't "fatigue". As long as you don't exceed their elastic limit, the vaulting characteristics of one vault are the same as the next. IDENTICAL. Even on hot days or cold days.

If you exceed the elastic limit of the pole, then it breaks. So a pole is either exactly the same as when first used ... until it breaks!

Kirk