Navigating our Class Offerings

columbiaaerialfitn
Oct 14
6 min read

Aerial is unlike any other fitness activity — it’s part strength training, part art form, and part perseverance.You’ll be building muscles that most workouts don’t target, learning new movement patterns, and developing grip, coordination, and endurance all at once. It’s completely normal to feel awkward, sore, or frustrated in the beginning — that’s part of the process.

Most students need 6 months to start feeling comfortable in the air. You may not “nail” a move right away, and that’s okay. In fact, more advanced skills takes years to aquire. Every class is progress and some peole find that aerial is a lifelong commitment. Our program is set up to benefit those of us that want a fun fitness class or those of us that want serious aerial training!

What to Expect

In the first 6 months to a year, you will focus heavily on foundational strength — climbs, foot locks, inversions, foundational wraps or positions, and transitions. For some of us, we will also be focusing on acclimating the body to being upside down, spinning, and the pressure from hanging in the air on an inanimate object.

Expect your instructor to give a lot of corrections. This isn’t criticism — it’s how we keep you safe and help you grow.
Students who come to us from other aerial studios may have to relearn technique, engagement, or execution of skills. This is because we do not want you to hit a ceiling from having improper foundations.
Our instructors have decades worth of experience in teaching and performing and we bring that breadth of knowledge to your classes. This means, you may be a level 4 at another studio that has a smaller curriculum, but are a level 2 in our curriculum becasue our depth and breadth of aerial training is extensive. Trust our process and our level system.
You may only learn a few skills per class at first and you may repeat the same skills for weeks or months. Aerial is about depth and control, not memorizing long sequences.
You’ll notice that other students may be working at different levels — we train progressively and safely, so don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Selecting the Right Class/Path for You!

Completely New Student and Don't Know What an Apparatus is?

Not sure which apparatus to start with, we recommend our Intro Sampler Class.

Intro Sampler Class

A 15-minute warm-up followed by 15 minutes on silks, lyra (aerial hoop), and sling.
This class helps you experience each apparatus and find what feels most natural.
The Intro Sampler is not required before joining our Level 1 or Level 1 & 2 classes — it’s simply a great way to explore.

Recommended Starting Points

Complete beginners are welcome in the following classes:

Lyra Level 1 – A great introduction to our metal aerial hoop. You will learn poses and sequences below and inside the hoop. You will also learn how to mount the hoops.
Sling Level 1 – Fabric rigged (or tied) into a sling that will support your weight. Students will learn how to go upside down, stand, and put on foundaitonal wraps. Students will also learn how to build simple sequences from our foundational wraps.
Silks Level 1 & 2 – Focuses on climbs, footlocks, and fundamental strength.
Pole Level 1 – Builds grip strength, body awareness, and aerial control. Please visit our Apparatus page on our website to find out curriculum for each apparatus.

Level One Friendly Classes that are NOT intended for first time students

Aerial Rope: Students should have a solid foundation in silks before joining rope.You must know how to climb and put on a footlock before attending rope class. If these terms are unfamiliar, please start with Silks Level 1 & 2 (one class), where these skills are taught.
Flying Pole: Students are encouraged to complete Pole Level 1 first.
Exotic Aerial: Not recommended for brand-new students. Students should first attend Level 1 classes to gain body control, strength, and aerial awareness.
All Levels Silks Sequencing: Not recommended for brand-new students, students must be able to climb and put on a footlock. Please attend Silks Level 1 & 2 (one class) to learn how to put on a footlock and climb.
All Levels Chains: Not recommended for brand-new students. Please attend sling level 1 before enrolling.
All Levels Trapeze: We are currently working on building a curriculum for our trapeze classes; however, we do not recommend brand new students attending trapeze for their first class. It is recommended that they attend level 1 lyra first.
Lyra Transitions - not intended for brand new students. Please attend Lyra Level 1 before you enroll in this class.

Fitness & Supportive Classes

New students are also welcome to attend any of our fitness-focused classes, designed to help you build the strength, flexibility, and body awareness needed to accelerate aerial progress.

Recommended for All Levels (Including Beginners):

Flexibility – Improves range of motion and creates cleaner lines in the air.
Aerial Yoga – Gentle, restorative, and builds comfort in the fabric.
Inversion Bootcamp – Develops the core and upper-body strength for inversions.
Floorwork – Teaches fluidity, expression, and movement quality off the ground.

Not Recommended for Brand-New Students:

C-Shape Bootcamp – Must understand sling level 1 foundational wraps, including straddle back, gazelle, hipkey, and star wrap.
Spins & Flares – Demands a baseline of aerial strength and control. Students should attend level 1 sling and/or level 1 lyra.

You may notice that we offer both leveled classes and supportive classes.

Leveled Classes follow a structured curriculum outlined on our website. Students learn skills progressively and refine them as they advance.
Each aerial studio has its own level system — at Columbia Aerial Fitness, our levels are designed for students to spend months to years mastering the material.

Progress Expectations & Test Out

Many students progress quickly in beginner levels and then find advanced levels more challenging.
This is normal and expected — advanced work includes complex wraps, transitions, and strength-based movements that take time to develop.
Every student progresses at their own pace; consistency and patience are key.
Please review our curriculum on our apparatus page.
Students will be given a Bingo Card for each level and they must be able to execute the skills to progress to the next level with control, proper engagement, technique, and execution. Students will also be required to "test out" of each level by creating a sequence of 3-5 skills on the bingo cards. Students will be given time at the end of each class to "test out." Students can also arrange private test outs if they prefer.

Choosing Classes Based on Your Goals

If Your Goal Is Fitness or Fun

You can choose any classes that interest you as long as they are level appropriate! Try different apparatuses, find instructors you connect with, and enjoy the movement experience. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy aerial. We have many different aerial instructors with different backgrounds, teaching styles, and personalities. We promise, you will have fun and be challenged in the best way possible.

If Your Goal Is Performance

Performance requires cross-training and commitment. We recommend the following class path:

Supportive Training Classes:

Floorwork – Builds musicality and stage presence while improving movement on the ground.
Flexibility – Essential for lines and form in the air.
Inversions – Strengthens your core and upper body for going upside down in various ways across all apparatuses.
C-Shapes – Are considered an advanced skill that will help students execute and control dynamic movements (i.e., beats, drops, roll ups, back balances, etc.) as well as static strength moves such as the planche, arm breaker, and meathook.
Spins & Flares – Develops control of movement while spinning and learning how to mount and invert while spinning. Spins are also considered a dynamic skill to learn to control.

Leveled Classes:

Continue with your apparatus-specific Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 and All Level classes to learn new skills, transitions, and wrap theory.

Choreography Class:

Once you have a foundation of skills, you can join Choreography Class to learn how to:
- Build your own routine
- Develop musicality
- Express emotion and story through movement
- Combine aerial, floorwork, and transitions
- This class will incorporate skills from our level classes, flexible poses, various inversions and mounts while spinning, and c-shapes. This class ties all of our class offerings together.

Open Studio:

Use Open Studio to refine the skills and sequences you’ve learned in class.
This is your time to polish technique, explore transitions, and begin creating choreography independently.

Final Notes

Progress in aerial takes time and consistency. Most of the time, years.
Everyone’s path looks different — your pace is your own.
Celebrate milestones, however small. Every climb, every inversion, and every new move is an accomplishment.
Our community is here to support you — your instructors want you to succeed safely and confidently.

Our instructors are professionals trained in safe aerial instruction. They will guide you on when you’re ready to move to the next level or try new skills. Please trust their expertise — your safety and success are our top priorities.

We are proud to offer a structured, supportive space where students can grow at their own pace. Whether you’re here for fun, fitness, or performance, remember: You are more capable than you know.