Introducing: AERIAL ARTS

Doesn’t that mean you have to be insanely strong to do aerial arts? So it’s not beginner-friendly?

Nope! Aerial arts is suitable for beginners between the ages of 7 and 70. If you have any prior injuries, consult your doctor and the instructor before enrolling for a class - this goes for any other sport you want to try, not just aerial arts.

Aerial arts does require a lot of strength - core and back strength in particular. Many beginners who first come in lack both.

Common fitness misconception #1:

Having abs or a six-pack doesn’t mean that you have core strength.

Common fitness misconception #2:

many people who think they have strong backs don’t actually do. They have merely been using other muscles like their arm muscles to compensate when doing back exercises like pulling and climbing. Back muscles like the lats are notoriously difficult to activate.

What can I expect from my first aerial arts class?

This is how every aerial arts class goes regardless of level:

1. It should start with a proper warm-up routine.

2. This is usually followed by plenty of conditioning work like push-ups, pull-ups and core exercises to strengthen the different muscle groups and make you strong enough to perform in the air.

3. You will then start working with the equipment like the silks, hoops or poles, depending on your class. If you’re just starting out, don’t expect to be suspended high in the air or do crazy tricks. In fact, for classes that use aerial silks, beginners start out by learning how to tie their silks. In this Instagram era, I have many students who come in for their first class thinking they’re going to take lots of pretty photos of themselves doing cool things in the air without realizing that they don’t even have the strength to climb up the silks. That’s why conditioning is so important.

4. It should end with a proper cool down routine. Never skip cooling down!

Finally - the question that’s on everybody’s minds: it looks like it’s pretty high up in the air. Is it scary? Is it dangerous?

You may feel scared at first when you’re not used to it yet. That’s natural. But confidence in the air will come with confidence in your skills. If you put hard work into conditioning and practice regularly, you will eventually start feeling less scared and more confident moving in the air.

As for whether it’s dangerous, getting injured during aerial arts is easily avoidable as long as you:

• Find a professional instructor and listen to them. A good instructor should not push you to do things you are not physically or mentally ready for, but adequately prepare you to make those moves.

• Work hard at your conditioning exercises and practice regularly - but don’t overdo it.

• Do not attempt moves you are not ready for.

• Religiously warm-up and cool down properly.

And yes, there are very soft, very comfortable paddings all over the floor to cushion any falls.

Anything else I should know before my first aerial arts class?

• Don’t worry about footwear! Shoes are not required in aerial arts.

• Come in long tights that cover your knee pits to minimize friction between your skin and the apparatus you are working with.

• Fuel yourself with a light meal before class, as you would before going for any other high-intensity workout. In other words - don’t show up after going for a buffet.

• Expect redness and bruising from the apparatus, especially the hoop. This is normal, especially if you bruise easily.

• Dizziness and nausea is a legitimate concern, but most beginners don’t start spinning in their first class. If you’re worried about feeling dizzy or nauseous in subsequent classes, let your instructor know and they can advise you accordingly (some prescribe taking regular breaks, some recommend taking sea sickness pills, etc.