AerialCLT

My girlfriends and I did a private class here all as beginners and had such an amazing time! Katie was an amazing instructor and made everything so fun and easy to learn. Would highly recommend for a girls night if you’ve ever wanted to try. We will definitely be back!

I am on my 4th Silks class and can say this has been the best thing I’ve done so far living in charlotte. I try to stick to Tuesday classes with Julia who is an amazing instructor! Her patience and kindness makes the class even more enjoyable. Any skill level can go (but yes you are going to need some type of upper body strength you don’t have to be the hulk but some muscle is needed) Even though I once a week I feel like I’ve learned so much and can’t wait to continue growing in my new hobby.

I have taken most of the fundamentals classes at this point. Its been an entirely positive experience for me from day one. Every instructor I have interacted with is patient, attentive, and excellent at breaking down hard moves in ways that beginners can understand. These classes are NOT gentle or easy. But they can be so rewarding and fun! The training environment is so unique. Its an eclectic group of people who are bonded by their fascination with the acrobatic arts. This has become a welcome new passion for me and I am reaping the many physical and psychological benefits from it. I highly reccomend giving it a try.

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, AerialCLT is a 5-course meal. AerialCLT runs like a warmed-up contortionist with excellent response time when someone from out of town is trying to figure out their aerial options. While it's hard to jump into higher-level classes (as a drop-in), they welcomed me to join their intro/entry-level class, and I also booked a private with one of their instructors to work on higher-level material. The space was clean, and the parking was easy (when I arrived). It's amazing to see a school of this size with a clear curriculum to help train aerialists in strength and progression.

I was so excited when I read their website and it said you didn’t need experience! I thought I was going to have a new weekly hobby. This is just not true. You need to at the very least have good upper body strength. I thought it would be a bit more introductory. In beginners classes I’ve went to in the past everything was explained step by step. This was more so the instructor doing a move and then telling you to do it. The instructor tried to (unsuccessfully) adjust me when I struggled but it felt nearly impossible. I am in my 20s, I play tennis, do Pilates 4 times a week, so I don’t think I’m in the worst shape. It was just very hard and the expectations were unreasonable in my opinion. The other 3 girls in my group (the Lyra Hoop) had done it before; I think they should start doing one-time intro classes for ppl like me who are completely new and then beginners classes separately for ppl who have been before and just need work until they’re ready to level up. Also when I walked in, there were 2 employees at the front desk and then 1 at the desk behind it. The 2 employees in the front looked at me standing there and then looked away like I wasn’t supposed to be there? I mean the least they could’ve said was Hi? Be with you shortly? Just nothing lol. I read another review that said the same thing happened to her so it seems this is a pattern which is sad. The employee at the desk behind them saw me standing there and greeted me so I just went to her — she happened to be my instructor and she was extremely kind which is why I gave a second star. But it wasn’t introductory at all. It would’ve been nice to learn about the Lyra hoop, little exercises to get familiar with it ya know. Instead it was just like ok this is what man on the moon is, now do it. For a person who’s never done anything like that, it’s hard. Also my sister was initially going to come with me, she is plus-sized and would not have fit into the hoop in some of the moves she wanted us to do, it would have been very embarrassing for her… the website gives the impression that it’s open to all and extremely beginner-friendly and it’s just not. I had to leave early because I felt super uncomfortable not being able to do anything and in pain on my posterior thighs from the pole.