From Gym to Aerial! Why Aerial Fitness Can Transform Your Workout!
- Susan Hastings
- Aug 11
- 10 min read
If the treadmill has started to feel like a chore and the weights area no longer gives you that “I did something brilliant today” feeling, it might be time to look up. Literally!
Aerial fitness takes movement off the floor and into the air, using equipment such as poles, hoops and silks to build strength, flexibility, balance and confidence. It feels playful, but it works your whole body. It can be graceful, powerful, sweaty, funny and a little bit addictive in the best way!
For beginners, ex-dancers, former gymnasts, and anyone returning to movement after a busy season of life, aerial classes offer something many standard workouts miss: a reason to keep coming back!
You are not only counting reps. You are learning shapes, skills and flows. You are seeing progress in ways that feel exciting.
Why the gym routine can start to feel flat
The gym absolutely has its place. A good gym session can build strength, improve fitness and help you feel more in control of your body. Yet many people drift away from it because the routine becomes too predictable.
You arrive, warm up, do a set list of exercises, maybe add a little cardio, then leave. It can be efficient, but not always inspiring.
That is where aerial can feel different!
In an aerial class, the workout is hidden inside the skill. You might be trying to climb a pole, hold a hoop shape, invert safely, link two moves together, or finally nail a spin that made no sense last week. Your muscles are working hard, but your brain is also engaged. You are focused on the task, not watching the clock!
That shift matters. When exercise feels like practice rather than punishment, it becomes easier to stick with it.
Aerial also brings variety. One week might focus on conditioning. Another might explore flow, flexibility or transitions. Some sessions feel strong and athletic. Others feel expressive and dance-based. That mix keeps things fresh, especially if you have tried traditional training and found it hard to stay motivated.
Aerial gives you a true full-body workout and aerial fitness can transform your workout
Aerial fitness asks your body to work as one connected system. You are not isolating one muscle group and switching off the rest. You are gripping, pulling, pushing, bracing, balancing, extending and controlling movement all at once.
That is why people often feel muscles they did not know they had after their first few classes!
Your upper body gets stronger without boring reps
Many people worry they need strong arms before starting aerial. The truth is, aerial is how you build that strength.
Pole climbs, hoop holds and silk work all rely on the arms, shoulders, upper back and grip. At first, you may only manage a small lift or a short hold. That is normal. Over time, your pulling strength improves because the movement has a purpose.
Instead of thinking, “I need to do three sets of rows,” you are thinking, “I want to get into that shape safely.” The strength comes with the learning.
Your core has to join in
Almost every aerial movement asks your core to stabilise you. This includes your deep abdominal muscles, obliques, lower back and hips. These muscles help you control your body in the air, slow down movement and protect your joints.
A simple knee tuck on the floor feels very different when you are hanging from a hoop or lifting into a pole position. The body has to organise itself. That is what makes aerial feel so complete.
Your legs work harder than you expect
People often picture aerial as an upper-body workout, but the legs play a huge role. They help you grip, climb, wrap, balance, extend and create beautiful lines.
Inner thighs, hamstrings, glutes and calves all get involved. If you have a dance or gymnastics background, you may love this part. If not, you will still start to notice more control, coordination and awareness as you practise. Aerial fitness can transform your workout and your body coniditioning!
It builds strength and confidence at the same time
One of the loveliest things about aerial is how visible progress feels.
In the gym, progress can sometimes be quiet. You lifted a little more weight or ran for a few more minutes. That is valuable, but it may not feel memorable.
In aerial, progress often has a moment attached to it.
You hold yourself up for the first time. You sit in the hoop without tensing every muscle. You climb higher than last week. You spin without panicking. You link two moves together and suddenly feel like you are dancing again.
Those moments build confidence quickly, because they are proof. Your body did the thing.
This is one reason people talk about Aerial Fitness as the superior workout when they have tried many other forms of training. It blends strength, mobility, skill, creativity and community in a way that standard gym plans often struggle to match.
It also helps many people rebuild a positive relationship with their bodies. Aerial does not require one body type. It welcomes different shapes, ages and ability levels. The focus is on what your body can learn, not how it looks in a mirror!
That can feel refreshing, especially in a fitness world that often pushes comparison!
We even have a plus size only pole class to give our plus-sized polers a wonderful community based class!
It is brilliant for beginners, even if you feel nervous
Walking into a new class can feel daunting. That is true whether you are joining after years away from exercise, trying something after having children, or swapping a familiar dance studio for aerial equipment.
The good news is that beginner aerial classes are designed for people who are new. You are not expected to arrive already able to climb, invert or hang upside down.
All of our wonderful beginner classes will usually include:
A warm-up to prepare the whole body for the exercise
Conditioning exercises that match the level of the class
Clear demonstrations from the instructor
Step-by-step progressions for each move
Options to make skills easier or harder - regressions and progressions
Time to practise safely
A cool-down to help the body recover
The first class is often more about getting comfortable than mastering anything. You learn how the equipment feels. You get used to grip points. You find out that everyone else is concentrating on their own practice, not judging yours.
That realisation can be a relief.
You do not need to be flexible
Flexibility helps with some shapes, but you do not need splits or dancer-level mobility to begin. Aerial classes can improve flexibility over time because you work through active ranges of movement. That means you are not just stretching passively. You are building control too! If you will to advance in your flexibility journey faster we offer weekly flexibility and conditioning classes which focus on all different mobility aspects of the body! Every Sunday 1pm to 2pm in our wonderful Essex Pole and Tone Studio based in Romford.
You do not need to be fearless
Aerial builds trust gradually. Many beginners start close to the floor. Instructors teach safe entries and exits before anything more advanced. You learn how to come out of a move, not just how to get into it.
Feeling nervous is normal. Going slowly is sensible.
You do not need to be “fit enough” first
This is the biggest myth. You get fit by coming to class. If you wait until you feel ready, you may wait forever.
Our supportive classes will meet you where you are and help you build from there!
Aerial brings back the joy of learning a skill
For ex-dancers and ex-gymnasts, aerial can feel like finding a missing piece. It has lines, shapes, strength, rhythm and technique, but it also brings a new challenge. The apparatus changes the rules. Familiar body awareness helps, but there is still plenty to learn.
For beginners, that same skill-based approach can make exercise feel more rewarding. You are not repeating a workout just to burn energy. You are building a vocabulary of movement.
That might include:
Spins on the pole
Poses in the hoop
Climbs and holds
Floorwork
Transitions between shapes
Dance combinations
Flexibility flows
Low-level inversions when ready
This creates a sense of progression. There is always another version to try, another detail to refine, another routine to build.
The blend of aerial fitness, pole dancing, dance classes, and alternative fitness also means you can find a style that suits your personality. Some people love strong tricks. Some prefer slow, graceful flow. Some want both. There is room for all of it!
It fits real life better than you might think
Aerial can look dramatic from the outside, but classes are usually very down to earth. You turn up in comfortable clothes, warm up, learn, laugh a bit, try again, and leave feeling proud.
For busy parents and carers, that matters. A class can be one protected hour where the focus is not on everyone else’s needs. It is time to move, breathe and feel like yourself.
For people around Romford, Essex and London, having a local studio option can make a big difference. A class after work, during a quiet daytime slot, or at the weekend can feel more realistic than travelling far for a gym you do not enjoy. Our studio is highly accessible being just a short walk from Romford Station with the Elizabeth line, the 86 bus stops right outside and our free on-site car park is perfect for those driving in!
The social side helps too. Aerial studios often have a strong community feel because everyone remembers what the first class was like. People clap for small wins. They share grip tips. They understand the excitement of finally getting a move that took weeks.
That kind of encouragement can turn fitness from another task on your list into something you look forward to!
How aerial compares with a standard gym workout
Both gym training and aerial training can support strength, fitness and wellbeing. The best choice is the one you will actually do consistently. Still, the experience can feel very different!
Gym workout | Aerial workout |
Often based on reps, sets and machines | Based on skills, shapes and progressions |
Can feel repetitive without a plan | Changes often as you learn new moves |
Usually trains strength and cardio separately | Blends strength, control, mobility and coordination |
Progress may feel less visible day to day | Progress often shows through new skills |
Can be independent and quiet | Often has a supportive class atmosphere |
Aerial does not have to replace everything else overnight. Some people keep a gym day alongside classes. Others switch fully because they find aerial gives them enough challenge and variety.
If your current routine is working, keep it. If it feels stale, aerial could be the spark you need.
Our wonderful Pole and Aerial classes have many of the same benefits as the gym but with the additional advantages of learning new skills!
With our memberships at Essex Pole and Tone you also get free unlimited open training included alongside your group classes! Not only is this incredible value and saves you money from having to pay for extra training or a gym membership but it is essential to refining your skills! Get access to our wonderful aerial equipment as well as our weights and stretching aids! Who needs another gym?! Not us!
What to expect at your first aerial class
A first class should feel welcoming, structured and safe. You will not be thrown into advanced tricks. You will learn the basics in stages.
Wear clothing that lets you move freely. For pole, shorts are best because skin contact helps grip. For hoop or silks, leggings are usually more comfortable. Avoid heavy lotions before class, as they can make grip harder.
Bring water, and expect a few normal beginner feelings:
Your grip may tire quickly
Your hands might feel tender at first
Some moves may feel awkward before they click
You may laugh more than expected
You may leave feeling stronger than you thought
A little muscle soreness after a new type of training is common. Sharp pain is not something to push through. Always tell your instructor about injuries, pregnancy, postnatal concerns or anything that affects movement. This article is general information only and does not replace advice from a qualified health professional.
FAQ
Is aerial fitness suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Beginner classes are made for people with little or no experience. You will start with basic grips, simple shapes and safe progressions before moving on.
Do I need dance or gymnastics experience?
No. Dance or gymnastics experience can help with body awareness, but it is not required. Many people start aerial with no movement background at all.
Will aerial fitness help me get stronger?
Yes, aerial can build strength across the upper body, core, legs and grip. Progress comes through regular practice and good technique rather than forcing advanced moves too soon.
Is pole dancing the same as aerial fitness?
Pole dancing is one form of aerial fitness. Aerial can also include hoop, silks, lollipop lyra and other apparatus. Each style has its own feel, but they all combine strength, control and movement.
What should I wear to my first class?
Wear comfortable activewear that allows movement. For pole, shorts often help with grip. For hoop or silks, leggings and a fitted top are usually a good choice.
Want to know more check our our faq page here!
Ready to make the switch?
Aerial fitness offers something special. It challenges the whole body, keeps the mind engaged and brings back the fun of learning a skill. It can be strong, graceful, sweaty, social and surprisingly welcoming, even on day one.
If the gym has started to feel flat, you do not have to force yourself through another routine that no longer excites you. Try a class, start where you are, and let the progress build.
To see what is available locally, take a look at the current aerial fitness and pole classes and choose a session that feels like a good first step. Your next favourite workout might be waiting above the floor.
Contact us today to book a class @ 07840424427 or drop us an email at poleandtone@mail.com
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