Hi all, I have major sweaty hands problems and have literally tried every grip possible, so I have decided to wrap my pole in silicone tape. Has anyone done this before? I applied it but as soon as I used it it curled over on itself like on the photo. So annoying. If anyone has any tips!

I just came across Pyroterra’s LED Lyra and I’m tempted to buy one. I’m just wondering if anyone else has one or an alternative that they like? I know Pyroterra’s control software is amazing.

To preface, I have a diagnosed arthritic condition and I have consulted every single of my injuries and health issues with doctors and physical therapists.

I've been doing aerial hoop for around 3 years now... although, realistically, it's been much less because I keep getting injured and then have to sit out multiple months. First year was amazing, I gained so much strength, loved being in the air, felt absolutely confident in my body on the hoop.

But then I got injured for the first time and it's been downhill ever since then. I got a partial ACL tear, surgery was even on the table for some time, but it eventually healed. I came back to the hoop, a bit weaker, a bit more cautious, but still loved it. Then I injured my other knee by trying to avoid the previously injured one. Then I injured the first knee again. Then I started losing my grip because my fingers started randomly swelling up.

I'm pretty sure it's not the instructors or the studio, because nobody else in our group has these issues, including people much older than me. I watch all of them get stronger and more confident, while I no longer trust myself to do a simple drop.

I'm worried I have now permanently fucked up my hands. My fingers are always a bit swollen and I've had trigger fingers on both hands for like two months now. I haven't been on the hoop for almost a month and it's not getting better. I've had multiple diagnostic tests done and none of them show anything.

I know that this is just a hobby, but I've dedicated so much time and effort and money to it, I did so much cross-training to get better at it that now it feels a bit like a loss of an identity. I'm naturally very lazy and need to force myself to do any sport activity, but I really loved aerial. I was even willing to go to the gym and lift weights to get better at it, or do flexibility exercises regularly. I've completely lost that motivation now.

I don't even know what I'm looking for, maybe commiseration, I suppose.