Are You Strong Enough to Start Aerial Classes?

Yes.

Oh – sorry – this is a blog post, so I should probably elaborate.

Yes. You are.

The Question that Gives Your Coach All the Feels

As circus teachers, it’s the number one thing we hear:

“I have NO upper body strength.” (we know)

I’m totally out of shape.” (I feel that way all the time)

“I’ve never done anything like this before.” (that’s what she said)

Seriously – it’s FINE. Repeat after me:

You come to aerial classes to BUILD the upper body strength, get in shape, and learn the skill. That is literally why you go to class.

You’re in excellent company! At some point, every. single. person. in circus is a beginner. We all start in the same (very humbling) place, and we go from there. The vast majority of folks who get involved with circus do not show up on day one with rippling muscles and a magical intuitive understanding of the apparatus! In fact, most people when they begin cannot:

Hold their body weight off the ground easily or at all
Get their bodies upside down without help (thoughts and prayers!)
Crank their splits to 180 and still be able to walk the next day
Do ALL the fancy things in the air

… nor do we expect you to. We KNOW you’re a beginner! We know you don’t have as much body strength as you’d like. We know you’ve never done this, or only did it once, or just experimented in college, whatever – we know you’re a newbie. And it’s OK! It really is OK!

You will NEVER feel strong enough to start circus. If that’s your excuse – I say this with love – that’s some bull doodinky right there. We build the strength we need for doing circus by actually doing circus! And yes – it will take time. Yes – it will take effort. Yes – it will take hard work (note: if you hate time, effort, and hard work, may I suggest macrame? Circus is not for you.)

SO. It’s a new year. Do you want to start taking classes? Want to get back to training? There’s no “5 Steps for Going to Circus Class” – you just go. It really is that simple. Scamper into your leggings, grab your things, sign up via your phone, and get out the door. Excuses be damned, and I’ll see you in the air! Love and pullups, Laura