Thinking About Trying Aerial Silks? Here's Everything You Need to Know! And Why Essex Pole & Tone Is the Perfect Place to Start!
- Susan Hastings
- Jul 16
- 9 min read
If you've ever watched someone gracefully climb, wrap and flow through aerial silks and thought, "I'd love to try that, but I'm definitely not strong or flexible enough," you're not alone!
In fact, it's one of the biggest myths about aerial arts! One of the most common things we hear is:
"I'd love to try aerial silks, but I'm not strong enough."
The truth?
Almost nobody is when they begin! At Essex Pole & Tone, our beginner aerial classes are designed for complete beginners, not gymnasts, dancers or circus performers.
Whether you're looking for a new hobby, want to improve flexibility, build upper body strength or simply do something that makes you feel amazing, aerial silks is one of the most rewarding ways to move. We welcome complete beginners every single week. You don't need previous dance experience, gymnastics training or impressive flexibility to start. You simply need curiosity and a willingness to give something new a go.
As proud winners of Aerial Dance School of the Year for both 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, we're passionate about creating a space where every body, every age and every ability feels supported from day one! We've helped hundreds of students discover what they're capable of in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
No experience required.
No pressure.
Just expert coaching and a community that cheers every achievement.
Whether you're looking to improve flexibility, build strength, discover a new hobby or simply have fun, aerial could be exactly what you're looking for.
Can Anyone Learn Aerial Silks?
Yes.
You don't need to be:
Flexible
Strong
Slim
Young
A dancer
A gymnast
Every aerialist started somewhere.
Our beginner classes teach the foundations step-by-step, helping you safely build strength, confidence and technique as you progress.
Many students are surprised by how quickly their bodies adapt.
How to Start Aerial Silks in Essex: A Beginner's Guide to Strength, Flexibility and Confidence
How does aerial silks improve flexibility?
One of the questions people ask most is whether aerial silks actually improve flexibility? Absoutely! One of the biggest benefits of aerial silks is that flexibility develops naturally alongside strength.
Unlike traditional stretching, aerial teaches active flexibility, the ability to move into larger ranges of motion while maintaining control. During aerial silks classes you'll regularly work through movements that gently increase your range of motion while strengthening the muscles that support your joints. Rather than passive stretching alone, aerial develops active flexibility, meaning you gain both flexibility and the strength to control it!
Over time, students regularly improve:
Shoulder mobility
Hamstring flexibility
Hip mobility
Back flexibility
Core control
Hip flexibility
Hamstring mobility
Core strength
Overall body awareness
Posture
Because flexibility is built alongside strength, the progress tends to feel more stable and sustainable than stretching alone. You're strengthening muscles throughout the movement so flexibility gains tend to be safer and longer-lasting!
In other words:
You don't become flexible before aerial.
Aerial helps make you flexible.
Why Flexibility Training Makes You Progress Faster
Although flexibility improves during aerial classes, dedicated flexibility work can accelerate your progress.
That's why Essex Pole & Tone offers weekly Flexibility & Conditioning classes Every Sunday 1pm - 2pm specifically designed for aerial and pole students! See our full timetable here!
These sessions focus on:
Active flexibility
Splits training
Shoulder mobility
Back flexibility
Injury prevention
Core conditioning
Upper body strength
Unlike generic stretching classes, every exercise is chosen because it directly supports aerial skills.
Whether your goal is your first climb, a beautiful split on the silks or stronger inversions, flexibility and conditioning gives your body the tools to get there.
It's also why many local students searching for flexibility classes in Essex choose to train with us.
Flexibility doesn't happen by accident!
Many of our students combine these classes with pole or aerial training because the improvements carry directly into everything they learn.
Flexibility and conditioning is also built into our regular classes, particularly our aerial silks programme, so you'll be developing these skills every time you train!
If you're searching for the best place for flexibility and conditioning classes in Essex, you'll find experienced instructors who understand how flexibility training works alongside aerial fitness, not just stretching for the sake of stretching.
How do I start aerial silks training in East London?
If you're based in East London, you'll be pleased to know that Essex Pole & Tone is easily accessible and welcomes students from across East London and Essex. We are located a short bus ride or ten minute walk from Romford Station.
Starting is much easier than most people imagine!
You don't need to:
Be flexible
Be strong
Have previous aerial experience
Have a dance background
Own any equipment
Our beginner classes are designed specifically for people starting from scratch.
You'll learn fundamental climbs, wraps, poses and transitions while building strength at your own pace. Every class offers progressions, so you'll never feel left behind.
Many students tell us they were nervous before their first session but after walking through the doors they quickly realised our community is one of the friendliest parts of training here!
Everyone starts somewhere!
Aerial Hoop vs Aerial Silks: What's the Difference?
People often ask which is better? The answer depends on what you enjoy! Both are beautiful aerial disciplines, but they each offer a completely different experience!
Perfect if you enjoy:
Climbing
Graceful movement
Flow
Wraps
Drops (later on!)
Building flexibility
Silks develops incredible grip strength, endurance and body awareness.
Perfect if you enjoy:
Spins
Dynamic poses
Strength tricks
Balance
Beautiful shapes
Because the hoop provides a solid apparatus, some beginners find it slightly less intimidating than fabric.
Both disciplines improve:
Upper body strength
Core strength
Confidence
Coordination
Mobility
Many students eventually train both because the skills complement each other so well!
The strength you gain in hoop transfers brilliantly into silks and vice versa!
There's no "better" discipline. It simply comes down to what you enjoy most!
That's why many of our students train both!
Why Combine Pole, Hoop and Silks?
One of the biggest advantages of training at Essex Pole & Tone is that everything works together and you don't have to choose just one discipline!
Pole develops:
Grip strength
Power
Body awareness
Silks develops:
Active flexibility
Endurance
Climbing technique
Hoop develops:
Balance
Control
Dynamic transitions
Students who cross-train often progress faster because each discipline builds strengths that support the others!
To make this even easier, we offer multi-class deals when you combine aerial hoop or aerial silks with a pole class on the same day!
It's a brilliant way to develop a wider range of skills while making the most of your time in the studio and a more affordable way to get even more from your training! Not to mention our members get unlimited free open training outside of class times!
Our team is always happy to recommend combinations that suit your goals, whether you're looking to improve flexibility, gain strength or simply enjoy more time in the studio! Contact Us Today!
Why Choose Essex Pole & Tone?
We're proud to be recognised as:
🏆 Aerial Dance School of the Year 2024–2025
🏆 Aerial Dance School of the Year 2025–2026
But what matters most to us is creating a studio where everyone feels welcome.
Our classes celebrate progress not perfection.
We believe aerial should be accessible to every body, every background and every fitness level because confidence grows when people feel supported!
Learn more about our Studio here!
More than a studio, it's a community!
We know walking into a new class can feel intimidating.
That's why creating an inclusive, encouraging environment has always been at the heart of Essex Pole & Tone.
Our classes are open to adults of all backgrounds, body types, genders and fitness levels. Progress isn't about comparison, it's about celebrating what your body can achieve.
You'll find supportive instructors, welcoming classmates and a community that genuinely celebrates every milestone, from your very first climb to your first inversion.
Check out out reviews to hear from our students themselves!
Ready to Begin?
Whether you're dreaming of climbing silks, spinning on hoop, mastering pole or improving your flexibility, we'd love to welcome you, we're incredibly proud to help people discover confidence, strength and joy through movement.
If you've been waiting until you're "strong enough" or "flexible enough", consider this your sign - You don't need to be ready! You just need to begin and we'll help with the rest!
How to start Aerial Silks?
The hardest part is booking your first class!
We'll help with everything after that!
Is aerial silks good for beginners?
Yes. Beginner aerial silks classes are designed for people with no previous experience. You'll gradually build strength, confidence and technique while learning the foundations safely.
Does aerial silks improve flexibility?
Yes. Aerial silks combines stretching with strength training, helping improve active flexibility, shoulder mobility, hamstring flexibility and overall range of motion.
Do I need to be strong before starting aerial silks?
No. Strength is developed during training. Most beginners start with little or no upper body strength.
What's the difference between aerial hoop and aerial silks?
Aerial silks uses fabric and focuses on climbing, wraps and flowing movement. Aerial hoop uses a suspended steel hoop and focuses on poses, spins and strength-based skills. Both improve strength, confidence and flexibility.
Where can I take aerial silks classes in Essex?
Essex Pole & Tone offers beginner and intermediate aerial silks classes, aerial hoop, pole fitness and dedicated flexibility and conditioning classes in an inclusive, award-winning studio.
Do flexibility classes help with aerial training?
Yes. Flexibility and conditioning classes help improve mobility, active flexibility and strength, allowing students to progress more safely and confidently in aerial silks, hoop and pole.
Can I take pole and aerial classes on the same day?
Yes. Many students combine pole with aerial hoop or aerial silks. Essex Pole & Tone offers multi-class deals for students training more than one discipline on the same day.
How does aerial silks improve flexibility?
Aerial silks improves flexibility by combining stretching with strength training. As you learn climbs, wraps and poses, you'll gradually increase your range of motion while strengthening the muscles that support your joints. This helps develop active flexibility, making it easier to move with control and confidence. At Essex Pole & Tone, flexibility is also built into every silks class, with dedicated Flexibility & Conditioning sessions available for even faster progress.
Do I need to be flexible before starting aerial silks?
Not at all. One of the biggest misconceptions about aerial silks is that you need to be flexible before you begin. Our beginner classes are designed for complete beginners, and flexibility develops naturally as you train. Every student progresses at their own pace, regardless of their starting point.
Is aerial silks suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Our beginner aerial silks classes are specifically designed for adults with no previous aerial, dance or gymnastics experience. Your instructor will guide you through each movement step by step, helping you build strength, confidence and technique in a supportive and inclusive environment.
What's the difference between aerial hoop and aerial silks?
Aerial silks uses long lengths of suspended fabric, allowing you to climb, wrap and create flowing movements. Aerial hoop uses a suspended steel hoop and focuses on beautiful poses, spins and strength-based transitions. Both disciplines improve upper body strength, core stability, coordination and confidence, and many students enjoy training in both.
Where can I learn aerial silks near East London?
Essex Pole & Tone welcomes students from across Essex and East London who are looking for high-quality aerial training in a friendly, award-winning studio. We offer beginner and intermediate aerial silks classes, aerial hoop, pole fitness and dedicated Flexibility & Conditioning classes, making it easy to build strength and confidence in one place.
Are flexibility and conditioning classes worth it for aerial training?
Absolutely. Dedicated Flexibility & Conditioning classes help improve mobility, active flexibility, strength and body control, all of which support faster progress in aerial silks, aerial hoop and pole fitness. These sessions are suitable for all abilities and are designed to complement your regular training safely.
Can I take aerial silks and pole classes on the same day?
Yes! Many of our students combine aerial silks with pole fitness because the two disciplines complement each other so well. Pole develops grip strength, coordination and dynamic movement, while silks builds endurance, flexibility and climbing technique. Essex Pole & Tone also offers multi-class deals when you book aerial and pole classes on the same day, giving you even more value while helping you progress across multiple disciplines.
Why choose Essex Pole & Tone for aerial silks in Essex?
Essex Pole & Tone is proud to have been named Aerial Dance School of the Year for both 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. Our experienced instructors, welcoming community and inclusive approach make us a fantastic place to begin or continue your aerial journey. Alongside aerial silks, we offer aerial hoop, pole fitness and dedicated Flexibility & Conditioning classes, helping every student build strength, confidence and flexibility at their own pace.
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