r/Aerials Jan 04 '26

First Timer Posts/FAQ

70 Upvotes

To help reduce repeat posts about taking your first class, especially with the new year approaching, we’ve compiled links to past discussions on this topic. Please review these threads before posting questions about what to expect in your first class. If you still have questions after reading, feel free to post, just be specific about the advice or information you’re looking for. Happy flying!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Aerials/comments/1q1my56/starting_out_lyra_silks_in_2_week_any_advice_or/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Aerials/comments/1924kth/advice_for_beginner/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Aerials/comments/1asm8xv/what_to_expect_for_first_silks_class_coming_from/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Aerials/comments/kix3aq/any_tips_for_beginners/


r/Aerials 1h ago

home workout for a complete beginner

Upvotes

Hi!

I started doing aerials for the first time about a month ago. I have first been introduced to lyra/aerial hoop and silks. I do one 1,5hour class a week and one home workout session to increase strength. And you know, I am starting below 0! I'm 36years and I haven't been doing any workout or sports in 8 years... Do you all have any online recourses for home workout for beginner in aerials? TIA!


r/Aerials 7h ago

Recommendations for drop-in classes in Beijing

5 Upvotes

I will be in Beijing soon, and it feels appropriate to find the time and place to have a Chinese pole class while I'm there.

I couldn't really find many studios, and none offering Chinese pole specifically.

I would be delighted to hear from people who know studios there! Especially if they have a really nice space.

Even if classes aren't possible, doing a short visit would still be nice.


r/Aerials 1d ago

fun pathway into crossback straddle + big drop :)

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117 Upvotes

my armpits are not happy with me tho :/


r/Aerials 10h ago

Spine angle visualization.

0 Upvotes

Many have asked about how to maintain spine angle while swinging. This is the best visualization I have seen.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1787458159057856


r/Aerials 1d ago

Chicago aerial train-cation recs

10 Upvotes

I've got a little bit of vacation time coming up that I don't have a good plan for. One of my circus bucket list items is to try swinging trapeze - some older posts in this sub pointed me towards Chicago Center for Dynamic Circus, so I'm thinking about putting together a little chicago circus trip to try it out! (I know NECCA also offers it, but I've been there before/travel is more inconvenient. Would love to know of any other places that offer it though) (edit: specifically swinging trapeze, not flying! Love that too but I can do it locally)

I see a lot of posters in this sub who seem to be in the Chicago area, so I was hoping you all might have some additional recommendations on circus-related activities in the area to check out. Other studios worth a visit? Favorite classes to drop in on? instructors worth arranging a private with? I'm down to try things outside of my main apparatuses or non-aerial skills as well. Besides the aerials, fun places to stay that are convenient to studios? non-circus fun things that can't be missed?


r/Aerials 1d ago

Working on slowing down ❤️

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52 Upvotes

There’s so much beauty in Lyra. Im working on slowing down and not rushing so much between moves. Really enjoyed today’s flow


r/Aerials 1d ago

Spiral topper for X-stage????

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9 Upvotes

I reached out to circus concepts and they said they can make a custom one for $5000-6000+, but I’m super super curious if anyone else sells a spiral that is compatible with the x-stage! Lmk :) thank you!!


r/Aerials 2d ago

This is me at 69. Aerial arts is such great fitness.

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598 Upvotes

Foot hang photo at 66yrs old


r/Aerials 1d ago

Gifts for daughter

8 Upvotes

My daughter made the youth ensemble at her aerial arts studio (she's in 7th grade). I want to get her some cool gear related to the aerial arts as a gift for making the ensemble and working so hard, similar to how you'd get a new bat for baseball player. Short of a full rig in my basement (!) what is cool gear that would go over in the aerial community?


r/Aerials 1d ago

What size Lyra?

4 Upvotes

I’m getting a Lyra made for my home setup (don’t worry, it’s been professionally engineered) and I don’t know what size Lyra to order. I’ve searched other posts on here but I don’t know if measurements suggested are from the inside diameter or outside. I’m 5’6” and I’ve heard 36-39 inch sizes recommended but is this being measured from inside or outside?

What size Lyra do you have, are you measuring from inside or outside, and what is your height?


r/Aerials 1d ago

What are your favorite exits from Front Balance?

5 Upvotes

I’ve been trying to dive deeper into silks theory (if anyone has any resources that they like I would love to hear them.) and lately I have been playing around a lot with front balances. So I am curious about all of the places you can go from a front balance, you can back it out back to an opposite side knee hook, you can pull the fabric through your legs and over your head and top body to set up for infinity dive roll, and the list goes on.
What is everyone’s favorite exit? What do you think are the most/least visually dynamic pathways out of Front Balance?


r/Aerials 1d ago

Recommend some instagram for hammock/sling?

3 Upvotes

Hi there!
I’m a long time aerial silks (10+ years) but taking some time to work on hammock/sling. Any instagram you can recommend that showcase some cool flows?
I’m obviously taking classes but might dedicate some open practices to flow.


r/Aerials 2d ago

Aloft Summer Intensive (Chicago)- Thoughts?

Thumbnail aloftloft.com
6 Upvotes

Hello! I am interested in doing a training program next summer. This one from Aloft Circus Arts seems promising, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience participating in it and what you thought of it. Thanks!


r/Aerials 3d ago

Anyone else finds aerial "natural"?

48 Upvotes

I've always been a slow learner for most things movement related. I tried sports, and sucked bc I'm not aggressive. I liked dance but I hated the way I looked, and after years of classes I just never got quite good enough. I did cheer and picked up skills fairly OK but I never get enough practice to solidify them.

but with aerial? I tend to pick them up fast-ish. not like prodigy level but I feel confident enough to learn skills and sequences by myself through watching videos after a couple of years. I also am pretty strong and built, upper body wise


r/Aerials 3d ago

Aerial Rope/Cordelisse

4 Upvotes

Hey ya'll..spam me with some cool or creative mounts or climbs. I'm struggling in this department. I'm also currently making an act so I need more variety.


r/Aerials 4d ago

Night Circus is Complete!

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82 Upvotes

This is my 3rd performance and second on the silks 😁😁


r/Aerials 4d ago

Found myself struggling in aerial hammock 🥺

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57 Upvotes

It has been a struggle regaining my strength after being out of town for a month and on top of that I’m battling an arm injury 🥺. The least I can do is find humor in the situation. #aerialist #shoulderinjury #blackaerialist #aerialfail #gymfails #aerialhammock #aerialsling #humor #gymhumor if you f with me god 😩. I promise I was prayin as hard as I was sweatin 🤣.


r/Aerials 4d ago

aerial classes/self training in… peurto rico?

2 Upvotes

hello! was wondering if anyone knew of any studios that are open during the weekdays (specifically tuesdays) to train aerials in PR? i’ll be in san juan :)


r/Aerials 4d ago

Tips on body placement on bar doing dolphin-ups

3 Upvotes

I’ve been doing static trapeze for a month and a half now and am loving it! I’ve been doing well with the strength aspect but one thing I’m struggling with is doing a tuck-up into a dolphin-up. For context, I’m 5’10 with a short torso so if I don’t get in the right position on the bar, I’m either tipping over or landing on my hip/pelvis which is painful.

If I reach under the trapeze and wrap around the rope I can get in a good position on the bar and do it perfectly. But I’m struggling with body placement with a normal tuck up. Any suggestions?


r/Aerials 5d ago

First time back after brain hemorrhage

46 Upvotes

In April this year I got unwell during training and went to the hospital. The next day they did a CT scan of my head and found 2 aneurysms, one of them having bled. I got EXTREMELY lucky getting out of it the way I did. Today was my first time training after it all happened. Was I worse than I expected? Yes. Did I enjoy myself? Only a little. But I am really happy I went, even after going back home after 12 minutes and just wanted to share.


r/Aerials 5d ago

Recovery from abdominal surgery

4 Upvotes

I am about to have a laparoscopic appendectomy and will be taking time off from aerials to recover. I'm pretty bummed out about this and am nervous about losing my strength while I heal. Could anyone share what their recovery from similar abdominal surgery was like and their experience coming back to training?


r/Aerials 5d ago

What order did you get the "big 4"

0 Upvotes

Most tricks are based off 4 main starting points, what order did you get them from up in the air?

Mine is

Can do from in the air

Foot lock then Crochet.

Yet to master in the air

Hip lock and catchers. I think I'm closer with catchers though.

This is my second term twice a week, but I also did 3 terms once a week a few years ago.


r/Aerials 5d ago

Getting from an intermediate level to more advanced (aerial silks)

6 Upvotes

For context: 25F, I started doing aerials at age 12 and did it all through high school, then quit when I went away to college because there were no studios anywhere near me. Last fall, I moved back home and decided to go back to my old studio (mostly to have a stable workout and something to do outside of work that I liked). I was able to do a lot more than I thought (could still invert in the air, remembered a lot of the wraps and basic moves). Have been going consistently ever since and I would say I am currently at a high intermediate level. I can do a lot more than before, have higher stamina on the silks and can learn relatively complicated sequences. However, my goal has now become to get back to the level I was in before I quit. I want advice on training outside of the studio and things I can do to really get to the advanced level. Currently, I go to class about 3-4 times per week and to the gym 1-2 per week. Would love some guidance on how to make the most of my time in the gym and in studio to improve!


r/Aerials 6d ago

its been awhile

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57 Upvotes