What to wear to an aerial silks class.

It’s the question that plagues us all: what do I wear to this aerial silks class? Do I need a special outfit? Should I go shopping for something new? Will people judge me if I wear jeans?

The answer is simple: you don’t need anything fancy. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money on new clothes or worry about looking like a fool in front of everyone just because you’re wearing some old things you already have in your closet. That said, there are some things you should consider when it comes to what to wear.

Keep reading to find out more!

What to wear to an aerial silks class

Wearing the right clothes for your aerial silks class is important. You want to be comfortable and able to move freely, but you also want to avoid wearing something that could get caught in the ropes. Here are some tips for what to wear on your next trip to the studio:

Choose a long-sleeved shirt or tank top (women) or shirt (men). Long sleeves will protect your arms from rope burns and help keep your body warm if the studio is cold.
Wear pants, leggings, or shorts that are tight enough to stay up without a belt but not so tight that they restrict movement. These should fit snugly so they don’t fall down during class but loosely enough that they don’t get caught in the ropes. Avoid jeans because they may rip when you’re upside down!
Wear shoes with closed toes and flat soles that aren’t too slippery on the floor of the studio (you can bring extra socks if necessary). This helps prevent injuries such as rope burns on your feet as well as ankle sprains if you need to jump off of an apparatus into space; both injuries can happen if your shoes don’t provide adequate support or traction!

You’re in the market for a new workout, and you’ve heard that aerial silks classes are a great way to get fit.

You’ve done your research, and you know that aerial silks classes are an amazing way to tone your muscles and build strength. But what about what you should wear? What’s appropriate? What’s not?

We’re here to help! We’ve put together this handy guide of what to wear—and what not to wear—to your first aerial silks class.

Have you ever seen a person on an aerial silks class and thought, “I want to be that person”?

You’re not alone. Aerial silks is one of the fastest-growing acrobatic sports around, and it’s easy to see why. It’s fun! You get to fly around in the air! What could be better than that?

But what if you don’t even know where to start? Where do you go? Do you need to buy special equipment? Do you need a partner? How much does it cost?

Don’t worry—we’ve got all the answers. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about taking your first class, including how to choose the right studio for your needs, how much classes cost (and where you can get them for free), what kind of equipment you need (if any), and more.

Ready to find out more about taking an aerial silks class? Let’s dive in!

What to Wear to Aerial Silks Class

What to wear to your first aerial silks class

I’ve been taking aerial silks (also called aerial fabrics) for over a year and a half now, and I’ve learned just how important clothing choice is for a good day at class. For the most part, dressing for aerial class is much like dressing for yoga: you want to wear something comfortable and flexible. That said, there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind.

(Take note that I currently only have experience in aerial silks. If you’re taking an aerial class on another apparatus such as lyra or trapeze, these tips might not apply.)

What to look for in a silks class outfit

Choose something fitted

You’re going to be flipping upside-down and tying yourself up in the fabric. Loose pants are difficult to work with, and billowy shirts will flip up over your head. Form-fitting is best because it will stay out of your way.

Avoid zippers or anything else that will snag

The only embellishment on your clothes should be seams and prints. Mesh is ok, too. Avoid any kind of zipper or other decoration that could snag on the fabric. Simple leggings are usually your best bet.

Something with sleeves

I’ve worn my fair share of tanks and sleeveless tops, but most of the time, covering my armpits is ideal. Some tricks will get the fabric right under your arms, leading to some serious friction. Fabric burns under your arms do not feel good, friends. I prefer long sleeves when possible, but during the summer months, short sleeves do just fine, too.

As a bonus, covering your underarms also means you won’t smear your deodorant or perspiration all over the fabric, which helps them stay cleaner for longer. Your classmates will thank you for keeping the fabric fresh and stank-free.

Be cautious around slick fabrics

When you’re first starting out, the fabric on your pants might not make a difference. But once you start to do things like wraps and knee climbs, slippery fabrics will become your arch nemesis. Instead, look for fabrics that have a more cottony feel that aren’t too slick. Once you get really good and your technique is locked down, this won’t matter as much. In the meantime, a little help from your pants can make all the difference in helping you get comfortable.

Beware of low rise bottoms

I’ve noticed that wrapping yourself up in fabric has a way of tugging on your pants. This can lead to some awkward moments if your pants don’t have a lot of coverage. Anytime I’ve worn lower-rise bottoms, I’ve regretted it. I recommend sticking with mid- or high-rise styles.

Go long

The best bottoms aren’t just longer in rise, they’re also longer in length. I prefer 3/4, 7/8, or full length bottoms. Basically, I want something that reaches past the widest part of my calf muscle. Crops that just barely go past the knee usually don’t work as well, and I never wear shorts.

Try a bodysuit

I admit I haven’t tried one myself yet, but this is a popular choice I see around my studio. Leotards or bodysuits layered under or over a pair of leggings provides extra coverage and won’t move as much as a tee. Something like this Zella bodysuit or this one from lululemon look promising.

My favorite styles to wear to class

With all of the above in mind, here are the specific styles from my closet that I reach for the most when I’m getting ready for class.

Alo high waist moto leggings. Since these are made of a cotton-like fabric, they grip very well. The high rise version provides plenty of coverage, and the styling adds something interesting without zipper or other snag-prone elements.

Koral mystic capris. These are one of my favorite all-purpose basics, and they work great for aerial. When I can’t figure out what to wear, I frequently reach for these.

Lululemon luon wunder unders. Basic, but that’s exactly why they work so well!

Lululemon aligns. These are a godsend during summer. They’re long enough to cover everything that needs to be covered, light enough to keep me cool, and grippy enough so I don’t slide right out of the silks.

Lululemon swiftly LS. The great thing about these tops is that they’re perfect for both running and silks–one of the few styles in my closet that works for both! They’re fitted and lightweight, but still cover everything I need. I reach for one of my swiftlies almost every week.

Sweaty Betty glisten LS. I love this top for similar reasons that I love lulu’s swiftlies. It’s a little thicker and warmer, which is nice for colder days in the studio. The fabric is very stretchy, which means I can push my sleeves back more easily when I need. I find that this top holds onto my tights well, which means it moves around less and stays down more easily than a swiftly. The only downside is that the fabric tends to show a bit of wash wear.

Any textured bottoms. Jacquard knit prints are SUPER grippy. Basically, if it has a textured, almost denim-like feel, it will grip a hundred times better than something that’s so slick (like lululemon luxtreme) it doesn’t feel like a knit at all. I own the cropped version of these and they are some of my absolute best pants for silks class.

First aerial silks class

Beginner Aerial FAQ
Commonly Asked Beginner’s Questions

How strong do I need to be to begin training aerials?

The quick answer–you don’t need any amount of upper body strength to begin training aerials–that said the stronger you are, the easier it will be for you to progress quickly.

Most aerial instructors assume that new students coming in have never tried anything like aerials in their life, and are not used to lifting/pushing/pulling their own body weight. Many will start you in a sling (a set of fabrics with a knot tied in the bottom) to get you used to the feel of fabric before making you support your own body weight.

I’m really excited for my first class! What should I do to prepare?

Anything physical that you can do, including cardio, will help to get you in shape for your first lesson. Aerial work really targets the upper body and core however, so putting more of your focus on those areas will be a boon to your training in the long run.

For core work hollow body holds or leg lifts will help you, and for upper body pull ups are hands down the most helpful training you can do. If you can’t do pull ups, try horizontal rows! It’s really important to make sure that every exercise you do you’re doing with proper form and engagement to prevent injury. Check out the good folks at /r/bodyweightfitness for beginner bodyweight fitness programs to compliment your aerial practice.

I’m afraid of heights, but I really want to try aerials! Help!

Never fear! Pretty much every aerial instructor starts their students doing everything from the ground, while they learn the wraps and techniques for any given trick. From there instructors will usually ask you to try the trick you’ve been practicing from a climb as you’re ready. Then two climbs, etc.

Every aerial instructor’s number one concern is your safety. If their number one concern seems to be something else, you should probably find a new instructor.

Even if you start out with a fear of heights, you may soon find that you’re climbing to the top of the silks because you feel confident there. More than a few aerialists are scared of heights, but because so much prep goes into training they feel comfortable in the air on their apparatus because they’re one hundred percent in control, whereas even ladders may still make them queasy.

I’m worried that I’ll be terrible at aerials.

It’s entirely true that you may come out of your first class having done everything totally wrong. Does that mean you’re terrible at aerials? Absolutely not!

There are a few things to keep in mind when you start aerials (and never forget them) and whenever you’re feeling frustrated.

Learning aerials is incredibly hard. A skilled aerialist will make everything they do look easy–that’s their job. However that can make it confusing for you the student, because everything feels hard. That’s just how it is. If aerials were easy, they wouldn’t be so amazing to watch and you wouldn’t need to come to class.
Aerial class is not a contest. Yes, the former gymnast next to you may have a perfect straddle, and you’re just barely hitting 90°, but who cares? Everyone has different strengths, and learns at a different pace. Some people are stronger, some people are bendier, some have the ability to see a trick once and do it. If one person has all those things as a beginner? Lucky them, but it doesn’t reflect on you. If you find you’re just not getting something in class, and are getting frustrated ask your instructor if you can move on and come back to it later. Many studios will have an open gym time which is great for practicing those nemesis tricks.
The most important thing to get out of an aerials class is accomplishing your own goals! It doesn’t matter what those goals are–to just have fun, to get strong, to learn skills for a performance–just remember why you’re doing what you’re doing, and set reasonable expectations for yourself.

What should I wear/bring to my first class?

For attire there are a few things you definitely want:

You want tight fitting stretchy pants that will cover the backs of your knees. Leggings or footless tights are a great option.
You want a shirt that will cover your midriff without riding up, or that you can tuck in.
Don’t wear a belt, or any jewelry that could possibly catch on or tear the fabric. No big earrings, no spiky rings, zippers etc. Take off your dangly pendant and tape over any spiky piercings you can’t remove.
You can’t wear shoes to do aerials so your footwear doesn’t matter as long as you take it off.
Bring lots of water, and make sure to drink it in class. You might also want to bring a protein-rich treat for after class to help build muscle.

I just had my first class and now I feel like I have the flu and can’t lift my arms.

It’s possible that you may have the flu, but feeling like you just got run over by a truck is a common side effect of your first aerial class.*

For most of us, our first aerial class is a level of physicality that we’re not used to experiencing, and that morning-after response is your body freaking out over it. But don’t worry. Take some anti-inflammatory meds (ibuprofin, advil, aleeve), and drink lots of water to flush out any toxins. Treat yourself to a hot bath, and if you can, try to gently stretch out any parts that are sore.

*This has been confirmed by someone who has both been hit by a truck, and been a beginner aerialist.

I just had my first class and I’m really excited! What should I do in-between now and my next class?

You’ll want to follow the advice above and start working your upper body and core. Check out /r/bodyweightfitness for good starting programs. You’ll also want to begin stretching on a regular basis. Practice the stretches you’ve learned in class, or go to a yoga class.

If you do start adding exercises and stretching to your regimen it’s really important to make sure that every exercise you do you’re doing with proper form and engagement to prevent injury. Also, make sure that you don’t over-stretch as that can lead to injury.

Where can I find a studio near me?

Reddit user nebulawanderer put together this awesome map with a bunch of aerial studios on it! Because aerials is inherently risky though, do your own research–check out their webpage or go to their studio to make sure you’ve got a good one. They should have specialized insurance, plenty of crash mats under their students, and should be happy to talk to you about their rigging and teaching qualifications.

I just saw silks on youtube and I really want to get a pair!

Aerials is risky business and downright dangerous when trained improperly, so back up a few steps and find a good studio to train at before you do anything else! One of the worst things an aerialist can do is invest in home rigging before they’re ready. We have seen many newer aerialists injure themselves practicing at home, or simply forming bad habits from self-teaching.