What Is Aerial Arts? A Beginner's Guide
Maybe you saw a performer spiral down a long ribbon of fabric at a show. Maybe a friend posted a video of herself hanging upside down in a hoop. Either way, you're curious, and you're wondering what aerial arts actually is and whether it's something you could try.
The short answer: aerial arts is a way of moving, training and performing while suspended in the air on a piece of equipment called an apparatus. It's part sport, part dance, part circus, and at InFlyte Entertainment in Hudson, Massachusetts, it's something we teach to kids, teens and adults every week.
Here's what you should know before your first class.
Where Aerial Arts Comes From
Aerial work grew out of circus traditions, where performers flew on trapeze and climbed ropes high above the ring. Over time it borrowed from dance, gymnastics and theater, and today it's taught in studios as both a performing art and a creative way to stay active.
That mix is part of what makes it so appealing. You build real strength, but you're also learning shapes, transitions and choreography. A single move can be athletic and beautiful at the same time.
The Apparatuses
An apparatus is the piece of equipment you train on. At InFlyte, flyers train on:
Aerial silks: two long panels of stretchy fabric hung from a single point. Students climb, wrap, pose and eventually string movements together.
Aerial hoop (lyra): a steel ring suspended from the ceiling. You sit, stand, hang and spin inside and around it.
Aerial sling: a single loop of fabric that forms a hammock-like seat, which makes it a friendly place for many beginners to start.
Youth classes also explore additional specialty apparatuses, and you can see the full lineup on our Classes page.
What It Asks of Your Body
Aerial is a full-body activity. You'll use your grip, arms, shoulders and core, but your legs and feet do a lot of work too, especially for climbing and holding positions. You'll also practice flexibility, balance and body awareness, which simply means knowing where your body is in space when you're upside down.
You don't need to be strong or flexible before you start. Those things develop in class. The first few weeks are about learning foundations and letting your body adapt.
What a Beginner Class Looks Like
Every instructor runs class a little differently, but most beginner sessions follow a similar rhythm:
Warm-up and conditioning. Gentle cardio, mobility work and strength exercises that prepare your shoulders, wrists and core.
Skill practice. Your instructor demonstrates a foundational move, breaks it into steps and helps you try it, usually close to the ground.
Putting it together. Once a few skills feel familiar, you'll link them into a short sequence.
Stretch and cool down.
Expect lots of demonstrations, plenty of rest between turns, and an instructor who tells you exactly where your hands and feet should go.
Training vs. Performing
Many people assume aerial classes lead straight to a stage. They don't have to. Plenty of our adult flyers take class purely for fitness, creativity or the joy of learning something new.
If you do catch the performance bug, there are options. InFlyte hosts youth and adult showcases, community performances around Hudson, a Performance Team and a Competition Team. But performing is always an invitation, never a requirement.
Realistic First-Day Expectations
Your first class will probably feel humbling and fun in equal measure. Some things to know going in:
Your hands and forearms will tire quickly. That's normal. Grip strength builds with time.
Fabric and metal can pinch or rub. Covering your skin helps a lot (more on that in our guide to what to wear to an aerial class).
You'll feel muscles the next day that you didn't know you had.
You'll leave having done something new. Almost everyone does.
How Progress Happens
Aerial progress is built on foundations. Each new skill relies on the ones before it, so instructors introduce moves in a deliberate order. A climb leads to a foot lock, which leads to a pose, which eventually leads to a sequence.
It isn't always linear. Some weeks a move clicks right away; other weeks it takes a while. Consistency matters far more than talent. Students who come regularly almost always surprise themselves.
Finding the Right Class at InFlyte
InFlyte offers classes Monday through Saturday, organized by age and level:
Youth: Flyte Trainer (ages 6–8), Intro (ages 8+ with no aerial experience), Beginner/Intermediate, and Intermediate/Advanced.
Adults: Intro, Beginner/Intermediate, and Intermediate/Advanced (currently silks only), on silks, hoop and sling.
If you've never tried aerial before, an Intro class is the place to begin. Classes run in seasons we call Flymesters, and you can register through our online booking portal.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
Which level is right for my experience?
Which apparatus would you suggest I start on?
What should I wear and bring?
Is there anything I should tell my instructor about past injuries or health considerations?
Our team is always happy to help. Reach out at inflyteentertainment@gmail.com or (978) 618-7816.
Ready to Fly?
Aerial arts is for anyone curious enough to try. You don't need a dance background, a gymnast's flexibility, or a single pull-up. You just need to show up, listen, and be willing to hang upside down a little.
Explore our classes and come fly with us at 23 Park Street in Hudson.
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