How aerial fitness can take your workout to new heights
Aerial fitness is booming. So what exactly is this gravity-defying exercise and what are the benefits?
Eight years ago a birthday gift voucher introduced Tiff O’Connor to the world of aerial fitness.
Tiff became hooked on aerial skills and now teaches students and competes at a national level.
“It feels like you’re flying when you’re up in the air,” Tiff says.
“I love seeing peoples’ faces after their first class.
“It’s a great achievement to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.”
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What is aerial fitness?
Aerial fitness uses special equipment to suspend participants off the ground – allowing for 360-degree movement.
It can include anything from aerial workouts, circus acrobatics and even yoga in the air.
Aerial workouts use various apparatus, such as:
- Silks
- Ropes
- Static trapeze
- Hoops (also known as lyra).
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Why is aerial fitness so popular?
The popularity of aerial skills is skyrocketing, thanks in part to Hollywood, according to Elemental Aerial Studio founder and director Tina Szabo.
Zendaya and Zac Efron inspired audiences as they soared through the air in The Greatest Showman movie and singer Pink often performs aerial acrobatics in her concerts.
Aerial fitness has also taken off on social media, with more than 970 million views of #aerialsilks videos on TikTok.
Tina says silks are by far the most popular apparatus at her venue.
“People are entranced by the aesthetic of the silks being thrown around and the wow factor of the drops you can do in them,” she says.
“That, and it’s probably the closest you can get to the feeling of flying.”
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What are the benefits of aerial fitness?
So does exercising upside down have any health perks?
Tina says there are many benefits of aerial workouts, such as:
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Motor skill development
- Coordination
- Cardio
- Improved cognitive and sensory bodily awareness
A 2019 study found people undertaking aerial fitness maintained higher levels of flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength.
“Aerials also gives you the freedom of movement and the serotonin boost from getting into the air while getting fit at the same time,” Tina says.
One US study revealed students performing aerial fitness enjoyed benefits such as improved mental health, helped foster a love of movement and was key to long-term exercise participation.
Shauna Richen has been enjoying aerial workouts for 10 years.
She says it doesn’t feel like you’re working out.
“I’ve never done any exercise that’s as fun as this,” Shauna says.
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Can anyone do aerial workouts?
Tina says anyone can do aerial fitness, with kids through to 70-year-olds taking part.
“You don’t have to have any level of fitness, strength or flexibility to start,” Tina says.
“This is where you develop strength, this is where you start getting flexible.
“We always hear people saying ‘oh I’m not strong enough for that’ or I’m too old for that, but this is the perfect place to start building that strength and it’s never too late to start.”
Written by Bianca Carmona.
