Learn How to Fit Vaulters to the Right Size Pole

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Know your weight! Keep in mind this not the only factor to compute. It is all about weight (mass) X (speed), Or how many strides, commonly referred to as "LEFTS" for right-handed and "RIGHTS" for left-handed. Increasing the run by just one more LEFT or RIGHT will require a 5lbs stiffer pole, & the opposite will allow for a 5lb. softer pole. So you can see this will be very important to your progress & to the fitting of the Right Pole!

 The pole will bend with a moderate hand spread. Many believe you should use a wide hand spread to bend the pole. A big press of the front arm will kill the swing!   If you are beginning or interested in swinging & rotating faster in the rock-back to capture the ride of the pole; choose the use of an 18" to 22" measure. A  direct measurement between each of the grips in some cases, you might use a measure from your top grip to the bottom grip to where the elbow marks the pole.

Never buy a pole that is 12" taller than you jump!  Too long of a pole forces you to overgrip. We design our pole for Pole Vaulting, NOT Pole Jumping.  Holding within the grip area will give you options; You can stiffen the pole by moving the grip down & you can soften the pole by moving the grip up. This variable will allow you to fine-tune your pole action by 1.1 lbs. per Inch as a rule of thumb.  Only move 1" per two jumps to conserve the same timing!

It is challenging to fit your vaulter to a pole that is too long. Here is the reason; poles are weight rated within the grip area. If you hold higher than your ability, you may bend the pole but land in the box. We prefer beginners choose a weight rating at their weight & a pole no longer than 12 inches above the height then have cleared. If you have never made a bar, a stiff pole is excellent for developing a swing without bending the pole. As a beginner, we recommend you buy a pole 10 lbs. over your weight and 12" taller than you can reach. Work hard till you learn to manage the pole, and it starts bending.  If you have some experience and can jump at your grip or below, you may have to select a pole 5 to 10 lbs. over your weight. Why? Because the chart is for the initial stages & as you get better, the poles must get stiffer to increase the POWER RETENTION of the lift. Moving too long of a pole and raising the grip over your ability, will frustrate your efforts to jump higher.

Resistance # is a measure of how the pole feels at the take-off.  All brands will be the equivalent resistance at the take-off.   EXAMPLE 1:

 A vaulter weighing 125 lbs. Holding 11'3" needs a stiffer pole, yet you do not have one. Using SET ONE, You could use an 11'6"-140 lbs. It is five lbs. more robust returning pole than the 12-130 pole & it fits your needs better. Here is why; The 140 rating means it can lift the vaulter faster as the load is 140 lbs.  You may have moved to a smaller stick, but you have increased the POWER RETENTION lift capacity of the jump.  EXAMPLE 2: 

You have a vaulter using 12'7"-120 lbs. The athlete weighs 123 lbs. you are at a meet. You need a stiffer pole to meet NFHS rules and keep the pole's timing. A stiffer pole will throw them back on the runway or be too light to fit them.  You can move to 12'-130-135 lbs., be within the weight rule, & have a stiffer pole.  

EXAMPLE 3: 

You have a vaulter who weighs 125 lbs. holds 11'10"on 12'6"-120 lbs. You need to move to a properly rated pole to compete.  Your Vaulter is holding 11'10". SET ONE shows you can move the grip down 2" to 11'8" and select 12'7"-130 lbs. The POWER RETENTION has now increased to 130 lbs. of lift. The vaulters' weight is 125 lbs. 

Watch for a personal record here! 

EXAMPLE 4:  

Look at SET TWO above; your Vaulter is 175 lbs. But you have them on a 15-155 lbs. rating power #40. You think the pole works at a 13'5" grip, they do not meet the NFHS rules & the bend profile returns shallow & forces the vaulter to rush the jump to snake over the bar flat.  Suppose you select 14'-180 lbs power #41 or 14-175 #40. They comply and will jump higher in most cases as the POWER RETENTION has increased.   

EXAMPLE 5:  

SET TWO Your Vaulter is holding at the top of a 14'6"-165 lbs power#40. And they weigh 160 lbs. You need a stiffer pole by only a few flex numbers, not five lbs., You have a 15-160 power #39, but you think it is softer, well it is if you raise the grip a full 6"; it is better to select lower grip by 2 inches on this longer pole or select a 14'7"-175 for 2 to 3 lbs stiffer.  
Watch for another personal record. 

We are sure many think this is a way to sell more poles, but not really; it does help to utilize used poles and the vaulting poles you forgot about in your inventory. The resistance chart is also a way to buy the poles in 10 lbs increments, not 5 lbs. increments, to fill your line out. The ability to move up and down with the grip give or take 3" gives you the five lbs. increments in your inventory by the flexibility of grip.
We have shown you how to make your money work for you! Add a power # to all your poles!