Aerial Arts: Why It’s More Than Just a Workout | Aerial Dance Online
Why Aerial Arts Is So Much More Than Just a Workout
Aerial arts — you’ve probably seen those stunning performances on silks, lyra, trapeze, or rope — are having a major moment. Studios, gyms, and even home rigs are popping up everywhere, giving more people the chance to take flight.
But let’s be real… it takes a lot of effort just to get yourself in the air!
So you might be wondering — is it worth it?
Short answer: absolutely.
Beyond being a mesmerizing art form, aerial training offers a full-body, full-mind experience that challenges, strengthens and transforms you from the inside out. I can personally atest to it after spending nearly 15 years in the aerial industry. Here’s why the aerial arts is so much more than just another workout.
Strength That Goes Deeper
Climbing, wrapping and inverting through the air builds functional strength in a way no gym machine ever could. As an aerialist, you’ll notice gains in your upper body, grip and core, but also in your mental strength — persistence, patience and creative problem-solving.
You’ll learn to:
Keep trying even when things feel impossible
Celebrate small wins
Redefine “failure” as part of your process (aka, “failing up”)
Aerial teaches you that progress doesn’t always look linear — but it’s always happening.
💪 My top training picks:
Flexibility That Flows Into Everyday Life
All that stretching, reaching, and twisting in the air adds up. Over time, aerialists naturally increase flexibility and range of motion — not just for impressive tricks, but for everyday life.
You might notice you:
Move with more ease
Have less muscle tension
Feel stronger and softer at the same time
Flexibility is also a mindset. As your body opens up, so does your awareness, presence, and creativity. It’s a practice in self-trust and self-care.
🧘♀️ Want to go deeper?
Check out my favorite flexibility tools → and Science of Stretch Book → for more help making your flexibility gains!
Coordination + Creativity
When you start to flow in your chosen aerial apparatus, you develop something magical — aerial awareness.
It’s that feeling of knowing exactly where your body is in space, how to move through wraps and transitions smoothly and how to stay calm when something unexpected happens mid-air.
That skill goes far beyond the studio. It’s about adaptability — learning to find grace in motion and confidence in the unknown.
If you can literally hang upside down and think clearly, life on the ground starts to feel a lot easier. 😉
Stress Relief + Soul Nourishment
Let’s call it what it is: aerial is therapy.
When you’re in the air, your mind has no choice but to be present. You can’t worry about your inbox or your grocery list when you’re focused on not dropping your foot lock.
It’s meditative, creative and healing. You walk out of class feeling lighter — body, mind and spirit.
When life feels heavy, aerial can be a powerful source of joy, release and rediscovery.
📚 For a little creative recharge:
Ceck out my aerial sling coloring book →
Community + Connection
There’s a reason aerialists still call it “play.”
Aerial has a way of bringing people together. You’ll meet people of all ages, movement backgrounds and skill levels who share the same love of movement, creativity and defying gravity.
✨ Connect with me in the aerial world!
Get inspired to move via Aerial Dance Online →
Visit Holly’s Utah studio: BLOOM Aerial Dance for retreats, classes and workshops!
Whether you’re drawn to the artistry, the strength, or the simple joy of flying, aerial arts welcome you with open arms (and maybe a few bruises). Aerial isn’t just fitness. It’s lifelong transformation!