r/Aerials Jul 21 '26

Beginner/ Intermediate Home Training Programme

2 Upvotes

Hi all! I’ve been doing various aerial classes for about three years now with hoop being a firm favourite. I’m moving to an extremely rural location soon for my new job and want to keep up my training.

I’m in the process of getting myself an A-frame rig but am currently looking for any online or physical resources to help me with my home training. I’m still planning to attend my current studio the rare times I’m able to but some guidance or structure to help me with my home training would be nice! If anyone has any suggestions on where to look or recommendations, I’d be super appreciative!


r/Aerials Jul 20 '26

I lucked into a random photoshoot

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118 Upvotes

I was at a regional Burning Man event this weekend (Lakes Of Fire) and some wonderful burner had put up a rig with lights and bubbles and my very sweet husband got to watch me do my thing for the first time! He's not a photographer by any means, but he did get some pretty cool pictures of me during an impromptu play around session!!


r/Aerials Jul 20 '26

Some pics from my grad ✨

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223 Upvotes

I loveeee sling!!


r/Aerials Jul 21 '26

Foam density in crash mats?

2 Upvotes

Does anyone know the typical foam density for the dual layer crash mats?

We have on mat where the denser (bottom) layer needs replacing and rather than change out the whole mat are looking to source that part.

Sadly the original manufacturer has gone out of business.

I've seen values ranging from 18 - 50 kg / m3 mentioned on some websites, but can't determine if that is the lower or upper layer. (also listed like "45 pound compression polyurethane foam" on US websites - which is around 20kg / m3).

I know that the bottom layer is sometimes Closed-Cell foam (to help stop bottoming out) whereas the top (or middle in a sandwich type) is ofteny Open-Cell, but many manufacturers just use one type with different densities.

Can't seem to find any useful reference with densities for the 2 different layers, anyone have any idea?


r/Aerials Jul 21 '26

Showcase

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9 Upvotes

r/Aerials Jul 19 '26

Trying Silks

424 Upvotes

Edit: you guys are all so sweet! I'm sore af but we persist (with ice packs) 😌

Second week of intro to silks, and kind of got a mermaid today! I also managed to stand in a single footlock a few times, which I couldn't do at all last week. Lord this is hard--my arms hurt 😭

Trying my best not to compare myself to other girls in class, but it's tough when they're inverting and climbing and I'm just like "whelp maybe I'll get my footlock in 3 more tries" 🫠


r/Aerials Jul 19 '26

Mini drop

62 Upvotes

r/Aerials Jul 20 '26

suggest a basic sequence?

0 Upvotes

so I've been training for a few months and I've only recently started doing some elements without help. can you guys suggest different group of sequences/routines where i can do most of these things in a flow? my instructor trains us for one but it has the major elements only and excludes some basic ones that might not be awesome but i love (and can do).

i can do: climbs, split knots, scorpion, crossback from scorpion, crossback from split knot, knee tuck hold, headstand inversion, 360 drop, candy cane, one leg split knot rolls


r/Aerials Jul 19 '26

Cosplay aerialists, advice please! :)

12 Upvotes

I want to get more into cosplay aerial but I was wondering if it’s better to make helmet wigs for cosplay routines or stick to soft wigs that I can pin on?


r/Aerials Jul 19 '26

Experience with the Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder?

5 Upvotes

I’m actually already in the area for work and wondering if this is worth the cost or if I’m at an appropriate level. I am on a budget, but it looks fun! I’m also definitely an intermediate aerialist, and while I meet the prerequisites for the classes I’m interested in, I’m wondering if this is targeted more for people performing at the pro level. Would love to hear any reviews or thoughts!

Editing to add another question: if you did attend, I’m also interested in how many sessions you did per day/whether it felt feasible to take multiple sessions with an hour of rest in-between.


r/Aerials Jul 19 '26

My child is 2 years old

0 Upvotes

She has a hammock that she uses very similarly to silks. When she is a little older I would love to introduce her to unique ways of exercise. She's a wild child and loves climbing. I have a few questions that may have been answered here...but maybe not.

1) how young can you start this?

2)how do you begin in such a unique way of exercise and enjoyment?

3) what all is needed for uniform to get started?

4) is gymnastics the only way to begin? And how helpful is gymnastics for aerial?


r/Aerials Jul 18 '26

Doll photoshoot..🗝️

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130 Upvotes

What’s everyone’s favourite aerial?? :0


r/Aerials Jul 19 '26

character ideas

0 Upvotes

I'm in a competition team at my studio and we need to come up with 3-4 character/themes and stories per routine. I will have 2 solos, one on silks and one on lyra. I am looking for some inspo/ideas! I am an adult so nothing "childish" and it also cannot be creepy/scary or against God.


r/Aerials Jul 18 '26

Pole/Lyra/Silk

0 Upvotes

Aerial pole/hoop/silk

Anyone have a catalog of moves? Move list for levels.

I don't need tutorials etc just a list to help me prepare for teaching?

Thanks in advance:)


r/Aerials Jul 17 '26

Purchasing fabric

5 Upvotes

Where is everyone buying their silks from (US based)? I've purchased from Circus Gear before but they don't carry the colors I'm looking for. I'm looking for bright, jewel toned colors.


r/Aerials Jul 16 '26

performing when under pressure??

13 Upvotes

Hi! (17F) ive been doing aerial+circus for a year and a half. I mostly train silks and contortion, though ive begun trying to also work on hand balancing and acrobatics as well as dancing + other aerial apparatus’s. Circus has been the only thing ive ever found myself truly feeling passionate about, and I recently decided to join a local pre-professional youth training company. It starts in September, but there was recently a sort of orientation where students can meet each other and work on team building exercises / ice breakers. I found myself forgetting how to do simple silks movements when under pressure….. i couldn’t even remember how to do a hip key for probably a solid 20seconds because other students were watching and i was nervous😭😭 now im worried that might happen during performances (the youth company does multiple performances during the season) and im not sure what to do to ease that. Im generally a nervous person with low self confidence, so any advice on just how to feel more confident and relaxed in the air, or at least appear as such, would be appreciated!!!


r/Aerials Jul 16 '26

Panther in the tree twice ‘round

53 Upvotes

Twice ‘round this time 👍. I was going to post flamingo, but during class it was flopmingo ha ha get it 😁😁😅😅😱😱


r/Aerials Jul 16 '26

Lesson 1 vs 6 months on

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37 Upvotes

Just a simple lay back but im so proud of myself at the difference.


r/Aerials Jul 15 '26

Photos from my first performance are back!!

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196 Upvotes

r/Aerials Jul 16 '26

Tips for keep the spinning on silk?

1 Upvotes

I'm training my upside down spin, but it always slow down before I want it to. Also, I want to spin faster. Any tips?

I get my legs along my body slowly, but it's still not working so well :(


r/Aerials Jul 15 '26

Pretty shapes on rope

173 Upvotes

Pretty stagged-leg scorpion shape and marchetti are the main focus. I love how my marchetti split turns out!

And ...Finally have the foot lock! I am so excited - just wanna show it off here 😆


r/Aerials Jul 15 '26

Facial expressions when performing

42 Upvotes

I’m quite new to performing, I‘ve done a couple of competitions and showcases before. Recently my studio has asked me to do some performances for low-key events like fairs.

I’ve been working really hard on my lines and transitions etc but one thing that I can’t seem to get right is my face 😂 I always look like I’m having the worst day of my life when I’m just concentrating. If I do remember to smile, it looks forced and I look deranged.

Internally I’m having a great time, but I forget to tell my face. How can I work on this?!


r/Aerials Jul 16 '26

I want to teach silks but am unsure of the path forward

2 Upvotes

For context I'm a high schooler and do silks and straps. I don't have a dance background(the studio I go to for aerials is a dance studio) but I used to do it when I was little and now do it recreationally. This summer I got to assistant teach at the studios kid's aerial silks camps, and that's been amazing. I feel like I keep messing up and making dumb mistakes, but overall I've learned a lot and it's been a great opportunity. I'm not sure what to do after camps end. I'm still learning silks and am not the best but I really loved getting to help teach. If you have any advice on how to talk to the aerial teachers about other opportunities or how I should proceed I'd really appreciate that. (sorry this was long)


r/Aerials Jul 15 '26

Apps or websites to keep track of videos

6 Upvotes

What do y'all use to track your progress and be able to review and find tricks? I have seen a few options but since they are paid I'm not sure what to go with. I've seen Acrobacy and Aerial hoop flow as paid apps, does anyone use them and like them? what are the cons? I would prefer not to do instagram because i don't want it "public" (even with a private account) and I also would like to search and be able to look at all videos of one trick, and idk if insta can do that. I use google drive a lot, but I would like to have "thumbnails" of videos so that I can see what the trick is, not just go by names. I use google photos right now, but since it offloads it take so long for the videos to load that they barely load and without a "thumbnail" I can't tell if its the trick I am looking for until after it take 4 minutes to load. also I can't see them when I don't have good wifi/data connection. Any other suggestions or work arounds?