3 ways to go from complete aerial beginner to intermediate in record time.
It's true that if you want to get better at aerial arts, then spending time training your craft is important. But it's also true that doing so won't be enough if you don't put in work on the ground as well. Aerialists know that training your body off the apparatus is just as important as training it while in the air. That's why I'm going to share a few of my favorite tips to go from complete aerial beginner to intermediate in record time.
1- Explore a different apparatus.
There are many ways to get your body strong for aerial. If you are a complete beginner and found aerial silks or aerial hoop classes too difficult for your level, know that there are other options to help you get stronger and more at ease.
Because of these factors, I would recommend starting with an aerial hammock class before moving on to another apparatus—especially if you are new or still working on building strength and flexibility in your upper body (and let's face it: most people are).
2- Get yourself a trainer
If you’re looking for the quickest way to get from beginner to intermediate, then hiring a professional is the way to go. It can be a worthwhile investment to ensure that your first 8 to 12 weeks of learning a new craft will be supported by an initial assessment, a personalised programme, and important coaching sessions that will speed up your progress and prevent injuries.
3- If you want to progress in the aerial arts, you should look outside aerial classes.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they're learning aerial arts is thinking that everything revolves around aerial classes. Though the aim here is to feel more comfortable on the apparatus faster, you can do so much more with your time and money. For example, aerial conditioning is a key part of aerial fitness—and there are many other ways to go about it that is not limited to flexibility training.
Instead, consider working on strength training with a home and/or a gym conditioning programme. Other classes such as Yoga, Pilates, Gymnastics Conditioning, and Contortion are all great additions to your weekly practice, however, you can also highly benefit from an easy-to-follow resistance training plan. So get familiar with dumbells, kettlebells and machines, because a couple of workouts a week can add up to stellar gains in the aerial studio. Investing in small home equipment such as a pull-up bar, bands and dumbells can also be useful in the long run if you do not have access to a gym.
Do not forget to rest adequately.
The body needs time to recover from the stress of aerial training, which is why it's so important not only that you take regular rests between sets but also that you sleep enough at night and give yourself a day off once in a while. Aerial arts can take a massive toll on the body because it uses a very specific energy system that needs deep recovery (we shall discuss this in future blogs)
In addition, if you are feeling any pain or discomfort during your practice sessions—whether in the muscle tissue below an injured joint or on its surface—stop immediately! Pushing through injury will only lead to increased damage, making recovery longer and more difficult.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. I believe this advice will really help you to improve your aerial practice and take your skills to the next level. Of course, it’s important to remember that this is just a starting point, not a magic bullet. You might find that what works for one person doesn’t work for another person—and that’s ok! My hope is that these tips will help get you started on the path to improvement and success.
If you are a beginner aerialist and want to speed up your strength gains and flexibility progress, I am launching a programme at the end of June called The Aerialist's Starter Toolkit. It is the ultimate blueprint to help you become strong and flexible for aerial arts.
It will include:
-conditioning exercises to build stamina.
-home and gym workouts to help you fast track your strength.
-flexibility tutorials to create those beautiful shapes.
-carefully curated to maximise efficiency and guarantee results within weeks.
-support from your favourite coach.
AND MORE
All based on my proven coaching techniques used in my classes and approved by hundreds of students.
Since this will be a live launch, you will have to register in advance.
This will also give you access to exclusive pre-launch discounts and extra benefits.
