Anyone ever take aerial silk, hoop, trapeze etc classes?

sybrix
sybrix Posts: 134 Member
edited November 7 in Fitness and Exercise
I did some research on alternative types of fitness classes offered in my area, and came across an aerial arts studio that teaches aerial silks, hoop, and trapeze. I'm mainly interested in aerial silks but would love to hear from anyone who's done the others.

It looks like SO much fun! It seems perfect because it's low impact, which is exactly what I need. And it also looks like it takes a lot of conditioning and strength to hold those moves in midair!

So, has anyone done any aerial arts classes? What did you think? Is it a good workout? I'm specifically interested in silks but I'd be willing to try the others as well. :smile:

Replies

  • toronto_j
    toronto_j Posts: 206 Member
    Are you already strong/in shape? I tried an aerial silks class and it was damn hard.
  • Dogwalkingirl
    Dogwalkingirl Posts: 320 Member
    Not myself personally but a girlfriend of mine has taken the aerial silk classes. She LOVES it but even she said it was hard and you need pretty good strength. She is a dance teacher, works out pretty hardcore so is in good shape. Looks amazing though I would love to try but super expensive in my area.
  • sybrix
    sybrix Posts: 134 Member
    Are you already strong/in shape? I tried an aerial silks class and it was damn hard.

    LOL good question! I've been working out consistently for about 5 months, but it's been mostly cardio. I just recently started doing strength training a couple months ago. I have been slacking with it, which is why I'm looking for something new/exciting to get into that incorporates strength training. I honestly have no idea if I have the upper body strength for it unless I try though.
    Not myself personally but a girlfriend of mine has taken the aerial silk classes. She LOVES it but even she said it was hard and you need pretty good strength. She is a dance teacher, works out pretty hardcore so is in good shape. Looks amazing though I would love to try but super expensive in my area.

    Oh wow, I guess that's a good indicator of the difficulty level! It does look extremely challenging from what I've seen so far. It is kinda expensive in my area too.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    In different years at Glastonbury festival I've done Trapeze both at height and then at ground level with different moves a couple of times, as well as rope climbing stuff. They were all free workshops that were free to participate in, so thought I might as well.

    The first year, it was actual aerial trapeze and you had to queue up for a couple of hours (they did a ticket system later); there was a 'large' girl in front of me. She couldn't hold on at the end of the first swing and was straight off - they'd made it clear no second goes.
    Thankfully I'd be going to the gym a bit and was fine, including hanging upside down while swinging and so on.

    Later years they have just had it at ground level not swinging, but practising a wider range of positions.

    As has been discussed, some prexisting strength would certainly help and I expect see the class being more beneficial.

    With the rope stuff, I'm sure with me I was partly replacing technique with brute force.

    Consider looking at rock climbing, too - it involves a good range of moves, offers plenty of room for progression from very easy to very hard and with indoor centres you can go when you want. If doing bouldering (lower stuff), no ropes or need for a partner to be there.
  • sybrix
    sybrix Posts: 134 Member
    In different years at Glastonbury festival I've done Trapeze both at height and then at ground level with different moves a couple of times, as well as rope climbing stuff. They were all free workshops that were free to participate in, so thought I might as well.

    The first year, it was actual aerial trapeze and you had to queue up for a couple of hours (they did a ticket system later); there was a 'large' girl in front of me. She couldn't hold on at the end of the first swing and was straight off - they'd made it clear no second goes.
    Thankfully I'd be going to the gym a bit and was fine, including hanging upside down while swinging and so on.

    Later years they have just had it at ground level not swinging, but practising a wider range of positions.

    As has been discussed, some prexisting strength would certainly help and I expect see the class being more beneficial.

    With the rope stuff, I'm sure with me I was partly replacing technique with brute force.

    Consider looking at rock climbing, too - it involves a good range of moves, offers plenty of room for progression from very easy to very hard and with indoor centres you can go when you want. If doing bouldering (lower stuff), no ropes or need for a partner to be there.

    Now rock climbing sounds like a great idea too! I totally hadn't thought about that, and it sounds very similar and would probably be a heck of a lot less expensive. I'll look into that, too! Thanks
  • shelleykim1
    shelleykim1 Posts: 1
    I recently tried 5 classes of aerial silk class.
    As they said, it is definitely difficult. It's all core strength and balance and a lot of shoulder/back muscles.
    I can't do a single pull up but my abs are fairly strong.
    I think it's still worth giving it a try because it does focus a lot on those areas. There are plenty of beginner classes out there that will help those who are new and won't have you try doing flips in the air. It makes you feel like a soggy noodle.
    To add to the strengthening, rock climbing does do a lot of the same things as well..however if you're being belayed, it's a little easier. Bouldering is closer as there's no rope and it's all about grip strength and the other stuff previously mentioned.
    I do both together so I think it's worth it.
  • ayamagali
    ayamagali Posts: 167 Member
    I'd love to try hoop, but don't have the funding or location currently. I have done pole dancing, though, and it's a blast! You don't have to be super strong to start, but it definitely buffs up your arms! It is kind of rough, though. I had bruises constantly from banging against the pole, and one time my arms gave out and I smashed into it full-on with my crotch. Yow. That being said, I had a lot of fun and it felt amazing whenever I mastered a move, and it gave the ability to do pull-ups with ease!
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Now rock climbing sounds like a great idea too! I totally hadn't thought about that, and it sounds very similar and would probably be a heck of a lot less expensive. I'll look into that, too! Thanks
    I haven't been climbing much recently, but do think it's a great way to get a workout that improves strength AND flexibility, as well as requiring progressively better skills, which are learnt as you go along.
    As noted, most indoor walls will have routes (what they call a specific climb) for all abilities, so there's plenty of progression as you get better.
    Also does have some 'practical' uses too! - plenty of situation in 'real life' where I find myself using the techniques to grab something from above the ktichen cupboards, say :).
  • toronto_j
    toronto_j Posts: 206 Member

    LOL good question! I've been working out consistently for about 5 months, but it's been mostly cardio. I just recently started doing strength training a couple months ago. I have been slacking with it, which is why I'm looking for something new/exciting to get into that incorporates strength training. I honestly have no idea if I have the upper body strength for it unless I try though.

    I wouldn't think of it as a "workout" though, because it does require so much strength and fitness already. The best person in my class was a very experienced pole dancer. Everyone else struggled. I suggest giving it a shot but doing strength training to get ready for it is key. It can't just be picked up as a regular exercise, IMO. It's a whole new activity with a new skill set.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    I tried one class and I really liked it. They have stuff to help with your gripping onto the silks because I am pretty bottom heavy and still have some weight to lose, so it was really hard to hold on without that stuff sometimes. But they have tricks and tips. It's definitely worth giving it at least 1 class to see how you feel. There were somethings I attempted and couldn't do, but I did my best and did a lot of it. I've been walking/running for a few months, and kickboxing for over a year.

    ETA: my profile picture is from the class I took!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    There is a girl here who does a lot of arieal silks- I can't remember her name- so completely unhelpful.

    But it's a great hobby to take up- you can develop quiet a bit of strength doing it.

    Pole is useful for a variety of reasons- but the quality tricks require a lot of effort- strength and pure guts. You get beat up from the pole quiet a bit (expect to look like a beaten woman for a few weeks) same with the lyre.

    I personally think doing ANY thing that's outside your norm if you have an interest is good. There is just something to be said about a person who tries different things.
  • staceybridie
    staceybridie Posts: 2
    I do pole fitness and static trapeze frequently and love them.

    I did a 6 week aerial silks course and was terrible ^_^ I found trapeze a lot better in terms of making improvements and seeing my own progress but in class with the moves and in relation to my own fitness. I have also tried aerial hoop which is fun although I would recommend doing static trapeze first as it gives you a head start in aerial hoop and a lot of moves are similar.
  • Alligator423
    Alligator423 Posts: 87 Member
    I've done aerial silks for a bit and am now starting hoop & trapeze. It is HARD and even in shape people typically don't have the strength needed to do it right away, and that's okay! Instructors know that and will work with you to build strength while learning the basics. Often gyms have "taster" classes or one-offs where you can go and sample some stuff to see if it might be for you.
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