How do I use the bar correctly?

I'm a longtime DDR player that somehow never learned how to use the bar. When I try my wrists and arms end up cramping up pretty bad.

Any tips on what I'm doing wrong, or do I just practice and play through the pain?

Find a comfortable grip, add the appropriate weight on the bar, make sure you can pivot nicely, and STEVEREEEEN you should be fine.

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When you say add the appropriate weight, what do you mean? How much weight should I really be shifting to the bar?

Yes. You want to put enough weight on the bar so your legs are lighter and easier to move. However, make sure you don't strain yourself doing so.

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Making sure you have good posture will help ease the strain on your wrists as well. Also use the bar cushion if there is one. If not I find double folding a towel and putting it on the bar works just the same. That will greatly reduce the strain on your wrists as well.

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Good posture as far as keeping my back straight? I'm not trying to be dense I swear, I'm just trying to do this without hurting myself.

Like I said, find a comfortable position and stick with it.

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Yeah, keep it as straight as possible. As long as you can keep relatively good posture a lot of the strain on your wrists (at least in my experience) will be taken off just from that alone.

EDIT: And yes, finding a comfortable position is important too. Probably just as important imo.

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I've tried the bar before when I was working through songs and both hands do feel uncomfortable on there. I just use one arm(left), I know it's bad balance but it's the only way I can work through a song. After I learn my foot placement, i stop using the bar. I know that's not helpful, but it was my experience with it.

I really need the bar to do anything fast. Crossovers kinda bite me, though. If I use more than one arm on a crossover I will miss the far arrow like 70% of the time 'cause I don't turn enough, so I let go with my left for those. I used to hold onto the middle until someone told me to keep them apart. It usually works my upper arms... before hurting my back but I have all sorts of back issues. I guess if I want to train my legs more, I lean toward the screen to put more weight on them. Kinda too short to do much leaning, though.

Maybe if your wrists are feeling bad, it's as simple as applying less weight to them until you've found the right position.

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You can also use one hand to hold the bar if holding it with two hands is uncomfortable.

If you're tall enough, you can also try holding the bar palms facing up.

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Usually, I suggest going with two arms on the bar at a time because then you have an easier center of gravity, but you may want to occasionally let go with one arm if there are a lot of crossovers that you don't want to double-step.

I'm I the only one who thinks watching people cement themselves to the bar looks weird o.O
I'm not sure how hard songs have gotten since but. Songs were doable up to max 300 super dub I mix thing without a bar for me.

I'm I the only one who thinks watching people cement themselves to the bar looks weird o.O
I'm not sure how hard songs have gotten since but. Songs were doable up to max 300 super dub I mix thing without a bar for me.

They're definitely doable without a bar, it's just that using the bar makes things easier. Y'know, like speed mods and screen filters...

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I honestly use the bar just to keep balance most of the time. I play DDR mostly for a workout so maybe thats why. the only time i grip it is fast spots like horatio

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Do what works for you. It's all a matter of preference for the game. But try to focus on a comfortable stance and try to avoid crouching during streams, but don't forget to do it a little. I would try shifting between no bar and bar during play, I guess. It worked for me when playing Wild Rush on 3x. (Never again) I think you just do what will result in less energy burned and better scores.

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If you've never used the bar before, and rarely use your arms for much in general, using the bar will be difficult at first. Your arms will get tired.

Get comfy, and practice.

Yeah I think DDR's difficulty has gone higher since I last played. I'd say they are on par with the ITG difficulty spectrum (maybe a bit higher -it's been a while since I've jumped on a dance machine)