bend

[mcminkz05]

what brand of pole, if any, are easier to get good bend on? because i like to vault with allot of bend, and im not sure what kind of pole to use. id appreciate any opinions! thanx~~

[OAKPV2004]

Diffrent vaulting styles work better on diffrent poles. I go with Essx, they bend nice and high

[mcminkz05]

would a high bend help?

[OAKPV2004]

Yeah, if you get a good plant. those poles will just lift you off the ground almost.

[PVJunkie]

If you dont stand for somthing you will fall for anything!!!


To start with, how high do you vault?? What is your gip ht? How much do you weigh?? What pole are you on right NOW and why do you think its not working??

Vaulting with a lot of bend is BAD if you dont know how to use it.
learn to be a pole VAULTER first, not a pole bender you will ultimatly be a much better VAULTER.

As for the "high bend" thing. All poles will essentially bend where your tech makes them bend. Low takeoff, weak plant, ANY pole will bend low. The better you leave the ground the more full, or higher the bend will be. The optimal (best, most efficent) bend is a FULL bend. It allows for you to grip the highest while minimizing the stress on any one area of the pole. It also allows for a more fluid (consistant) energy return. Actual research is far better than opinion. If my opinion was that all poles with small grips would break............well thats what I think but it would not be the truth unless I could prove it with research (scientifically based research, not standing there going "hmmm that looks like it WORKS"). Dont get fooled by the old "NEW and IMPROVED" advertising ploy. Prove it dont just say it.

Sorry got a little off track there....................

[TeddyVault]

Right, let's stop concentrating so much on Bend and a little more on Pole Speed, and Energy Return.
Sure, you probably love to vault with alot of bend on that, what was it, 11'6" 130 or 140? Because it is easy to get into the pit, because it squashes on takeoff and does not put stress on your body. But, there is probably no pole speed and energy return. The pole probably does not really uncoil, so you are vaulting with a BEND, but that bend does you no good.
So, think more about... How fast does the pole return to it's strait position? That is a better indicator of a proper pole than "Good Bend." If your pole is bent after you are turning and are going over and past the bar, that is probably too much bend, or a very slow pole speed.
Please correct me if I'm wrong here someone, on the principle, theory, or terminology.
Thanks,
Cheers

[BrandoAZ]

Good idea on the pole actually getting strait. Like I've vaulted on poles that are so soft I barly feel them to poles that make my shoulders hurt. The soft poles are easier on me but worse for my vault. I use an Essx right now and I like it. Before I used a skypole. I really think a scientific test can not tell you how YOU will do on the pole. Try to find some people who will let you try their pole (make sure your under the weight.. you will get somoene very mad if you crack their pole so it breaks while they are using it!)

If you havent bent much I reccomend a SKYPOLE. You feel the bend instantly then their is a strong letoff as the pole bends away making all the stress leave your arms for bending as you wait for it to unbend. THe other option is Spirit. They tend to give the same return but when you vault you can feel the tension building in them. Essx/pacers tend to be harder and take a much faster vaulter with a stronger plant. They also seem to me to give just that much more back though. So to sum it up....

Start with Skypole or Spirit and then try a Essx or Pacer once you get good at bending. Some people like certain brands so only YOU can tell what you do best on in the end!

[OAKPV2004]

On CarbonFx I would load the pole high and when i would swing it would have an unproportional bend. The Essx pole bends high and when i swing the pole bends much fuller and equal. I think that there just better for the way I vault.

[mcminkz05]

ok, for starters, i am 6-0, 138, and pretty fast. i have a great plant and great takeoff. i vault 11-6, and am using a 11' 135 pacer. i get some bend on it, but not allot, since it is so short and im kinda tall. my coach wants me on a longer pole, like 13'-14', and id like one that i can get good bend on. i have a 14' 140 spirit, and a 14' 140 pacer, as my next options..which wud b better?

[theflyingkorean]

holy cow!! Seriously? thats a crapload of poles youd be jumping ther.

[mcminkz05]

what do ya mean by that?

[bellvaulter24]

he's talking about the transition b/t the pole you are on now and the pole youd be going to... not only is it gonna be stiffer b/c of the increase in weight its about two feet longer which will make it a lot stifffer... are there any poles in b/t??? like maybe a 12' or 12'6???