Hoop, Hammock, Silks, and Pole: How to Choose an Apparatus

Today I take on the age-old riddle: one that nearly every aspiring aerialist asks at the beginning of their journey: “Which apparatus should I start on?”

The short answer? You really can’t go wrong. We have well-developed, beginner-friendly curriculum for each apparatus we offer, so no matter where you start, you’ll be in good hands. If you already feel drawn to one in particular—maybe you've been mesmerized by someone gracefully climbing silks or spinning in a hoop—that’s a great sign. Go with that spark of excitement. That’s your gut pointing you in the right direction.

Still feeling unsure? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Let’s take a closer look at the personality of each apparatus to help you decide:

Elevated Aerial Instructor Catherine M. on the Aerial Hoop

Aerial Hoop: Known in circus circles as “lyras,” aerial hoops are tools for dancing in the air. One of my aerial hoop students Brooke K. says she thinks of aerial hoop as “the gateway of apparatuses because it is a great introduction to expressing yourself and gaining strength and confidence in the aerial arts.” Preach it, Brooke! Our beginner aerial hoop classes are available as single sessions—a flexible, no-pressure way to give it a try without committing to a full series.

• No pain, no gain: You’ll find that aerial hoop involves quite a bit of hanging from the backs of your knees—and in the first few weeks, your body might have a few things to say about that. It’s completely normal for the backs of your knees to feel tender or even a bit sore as they adjust. Think of it like wearing ski boots during the first week of ski season—uncomfortable at first, but it gets better as your body adapts. The more time you spend training, the quicker that sensitivity fades. To help ease the transition, consider wearing a thick pair of leggings. They provide a bit of padding and help protect the skin while your body gets used to those new points of contact.

Aerial Fabric – Aerial Fabric encompasses two types of apparatuses:

A student learning aerial silks at Elevated Aerial

1. Aerial Hammock is a type of silk fabric that is rigged to create a loop at the bottom. The loop provides a place to sit and stand, making it less physically demanding than traditional silks. By using your own body weight to balance, stretch, and pose, you'll quickly discover a fun and effective path to unlocking your strength, flexibility, and confidence—all while striking some seriously photo-worthy shapes.

   
   

   One of my students, Terri S., says of aerial hammock: “Hammock is a great apparatus for folks that want to see some sort of progress in a short amount of time. I have seen folks share a private lesson on aerial hammock and had a fairly long sequence down by the end of the hour.”

   
   

   Just like aerial hoop, we offer beginner aerial hammock classes as single sessions—a great way to satisfy your curiosity without committing to a full month-long series. It’s the perfect low-pressure opportunity to see what aerial is all about and experience the magic for yourself!

   
   

2. Aerial Silks use the same type of fabric as aerial hammock, but instead of forming a loop, the silks are rigged as two long, flowing ribbons that hang freely from the ceiling. Without a supportive loop to sit or stand on, you'll rely more on upper body and grip strength—which means there’s a bit of a learning curve at first.

   
   

   That said, our beginner silks curriculum is designed with this in mind. We often start by tying a knot at the bottom of the silks, creating a temporary “seat” that allows new students to build confidence and learn foundational skills—much like what you'd find in an aerial hammock class. Because of the more technical nature of aerial silks, we offer it exclusively as a month-long series, allowing students to progress safely and steadily while developing strength, coordination, and body awareness over time.

   
   

   Personally, aerial silks are my all-time favorite apparatus. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of mastering a big, dramatic drop. While we don’t train drops in the studio, one of the things Elevated Aerial can offer (that no other studio in town can) is that we’ve created a clear, supportive pathway for progression. As you build your skills and confidence, you’ll have the opportunity to level up into classes I teach at Flathead Gymnastics Academy, where we do train drops safely and progressively.

   Both aerial hammock and aerial silks are fantastic for building not just physical strength, but cognitive function as well. Learning these apparatuses means memorizing sequences, wraps, and transitions—basically, mental gymnastics in midair.

   
   

   • No pain, no gain: Just like with aerial hoop, working with fabric can feel a little uncomfortable at first. You’ll quickly learn that wrapping your feet, thighs, or hips into the silks or hammock can create some pressure points. But here’s the good news: just like with the aerial hoop, this is temporary. As your body adapts and your skin gets used to the contact, that initial discomfort fades—replaced by strength, resilience, and a serious sense of accomplishment.

   
   

Pole and Flying Pole: Once rooted almost exclusively in exotic dance, pole has evolved dramatically over the past decade—growing to encompass a wide range of styles, from lyrical and contemporary movement to high-level acrobatics. This momentum has propelled pole into mainstream fitness spaces, where it’s celebrated as a fun, empowering, and challenging form of exercise. It’s even found its way onto the grand stages of Cirque du Soleil and the Superbowl Half-Time Show, showcasing its full potential as a performance art.

I believed that the success of pole fitness in our relatively small, rural community lied in keeping the style of dance clean and lyrical, which is why I have chosen to lean into the Flying Pole, which blends the dynamic possibilities of aerial movement with the static pole. It’s a beautiful fusion that opens the door to expression, strength, and creativity in a whole new way.

Photo of yours truly by Jacq Guertin

The upside of pole: It may take a few practices before you feel it, but a committed pole practice is guaranteed to awaken the goddess within you. One of my high-level pole students Sandi F. says “Start on pole! I love pole because it’s very versatile. You can do tricks on it up high, down low, dance around it and with it. There are some many things you can do with the pole!”

The downside of pole: As breathtaking as it is, Flying Pole is one of the most challenging apparatuses to master. Unlike other aerial disciplines, there’s no platform to sit, stand, or rest—you’re relying entirely on your own strength and control from the moment you take off. It demands serious strength, body awareness, and commitment right from the start. Because of its difficulty, we currently offer Flying Pole through private lessons only. This one-on-one format allows our experienced pole instructors to tailor each session to your pace and goals—so even though it’s tough, you won’t be tackling it alone. With dedicated instruction and persistence, you'll be amazed to discover what you're capable of.

• No pain, no gain: Working with a metal bar like the flying pole can be uncomfortable at first! But just like with hoop and fabric, your body adapts to the apparatus with time. As your skin and muscles get used to the pressure and contact, the discomfort fades—and is soon replaced by strength, confidence, and control.

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When it comes to choosing your first apparatus, there’s truly no right or wrong answer. Each one offers something unique, and all are pathways to strength, confidence, and self-discovery.

If you’re unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to try them all! Exploring different apparatuses can be a fun and empowering way to find what resonates with you most.

No matter which direction you choose, aerial arts offer incredible opportunities for growth—both physical and mental. And best of all, you won’t be doing it alone. We’ve built a supportive, welcoming community here, ready to cheer you on as you connect more deeply with your body and discover just how strong, graceful, and capable you truly are.

Ready to take flight?

Explore our booking site to find the perfect class and time for you—whether you’re interested in month-long series or single sessions. Check out our monthly schedule or browse the single session calendar to get started. Your aerial journey starts now—we can't wait to see you in the air!

Mindy Cochran is a dedicated practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, and aerial hoop. With certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach, she combines her passion for aerial arts with holistic health expertise to help others elevate their wellness. Mindy is also a former health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine, where she shared insights on healthy living and balanced lifestyles. To connect with Mindy on Instagram, please visit: www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy; or visit her Linktree here.