Nervous About Starting Aerial Fitness? Start Here.

I remember the excitement when my friend Angie invited me to my very first aerial silks class. There was an aerialist here in town offering lessons. I had no idea what really to expect but, for some reason, I just KNEW aerial fitness was for me because it was SO FREAKING COOL…. but I was worried I wouldn’t be strong enough. The class was offered at Flathead Gymnastics Academy which I had never been to before. Many of the students were teenage gymnasts, but there was definitely all fitness levels represented in the class, and Angie and I were the oldest at 33 years old.

Back then, there were only two silks to share amongst the dozen women, so I was nervous while I awaited my turn. But I said to myself, “you can do this.” And guess what. I did. And so did the other women in the class. And everyone crushed it.

As I kept training, I’d watch videos of other aerialists doing these jaw-dropping moves and think, “They must have an insane amount of strength.” At the time, I couldn’t imagine myself doing what they were doing.

Fast forward a couple of years—and I had started doing those same moves.

But here’s the secret: it’s not because I magically became superhuman. It’s because learning acrobatics is about learning TECHNIQUE to perform the moves; technique which will minimize the strength needed. It’s about getting super in touch with balance and counterbalancing. It’s about learning one trick at a time, until you have a handful of tricks. And during that time, you will build up MORE strength to learn MORE tricks. And before you know it you are stronger and more capable than when you started.

Today, even after teaching for an entire decade, I still never have had a student new to aerial fitness without them saying they are nervous and that they don’t think they will be strong enough.

Let me assure you:

1) Everyone is nervous to start.

2) You are strong enough, and I will help you get even stronger.

You just have to get booked for a class, get through the studio door, and we will take it from there! 💪✨

XOXO, Mindy

Kelsie Gripentrog on Aerial Silks

Mindy performing in Missoula, MT

Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, and aerial hoop; as well as a former health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine. Mindy is focused on sharing expertise for elevating health & wellness that she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach and life coach. To connect with Mindy on Instagram, please visit: www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy; or visit her Linktree here.