Maybe you are considering joining a new aerial class, or perhaps you’ve already joined the circus family! Either way, most new aerialists have a lot of questions when it comes to their goals and journey as an aerialist. One of the questions we hear most is, “How long does it take to get really good?” While most people are looking for a straightforward time frame, that’s not really something we can tell you. It depends on a lot of things. Let’s talk about a few factors.
1. What do you bring to the table?
Do you come from a dance or gymnastics background? Do you have any previous injuries that might slow down progress? Does body awareness come naturally to you? People come to aerial arts from all different backgrounds. Some of those backgrounds naturally make progress quicker such as crossfit, dance, gymnastics, cheer, or even just an established fitness routine. If you don’t have a background in these, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start aerial or pole classes. We love working with people from all backgrounds and can make modifications for those with injuries. However, your progress may not look the same as others in your class. That’s okay! Everyone has a unique journey and every journey should be celebrated.
2. How much time are you willing to commit?
A better question to ask here is how much time should you commit. That question depends on your goals. Why do you want to do aerials? Is it a fun way for you to stay fit, or are you looking to perform? Take some time to consider what you want to get out of this. If you are here to work out and have a great time doing it, a once a week time commitment is enough. However, if you have ambitions of one day performing, or just want to progress quicker, we recommend taking multiple classes a week. It’s often a good idea to train on different equipment because many skills translate across apparatuses. So even if you are coming for pole, it might be a good idea to give that aerial hoop class a try! We also occasionally offer conditioning and flexibility classes. These are a gold mine as many of the exercises taught in these classes can be done at home. Speaking of home, all aerialists should have an at home conditioning routine. Conditioning 3-4 times a week at home will make all the difference in the world when you get to the studio. If you aren’t sure where to start with an at home workout, talk to your coach, and stay tuned to our blog posts for suggested workouts!
3. How do you define good?
Here’s the thing… there is always going to be a new definition of “good.” There’s always a new problem trick to master. There is always a way you could have done that skill better, and this doesn’t stop when you become an advanced level aerialist. You will probably look at your instructor and wish you could do a trick as gracefully as them, but in reality, they are probably looking at other circus performers and doing the same thing. This can be a bit tricky to navigate because, yes, we want to be better aerialists. We want to improve our skills , but we also want to enjoy our journeys. There is something magical about nailing that skill for the first time after several failed attempts. There is something even better about celebrating these successes with a class full of people who are rooting for you to succeed. So enjoy the processes and be encouraged that there are many taking that journey beside you.