Hello dear reader,

Today, we’re going to have a little chat about stuff that people Google about pole and aerial, because if it’s being Googled it means it’s a topic of conversation no?

And perhaps many people are wondering and I (studio owner Anna here) like talking so it’s the perfect mix 😉

Today’s question we shall be pondering is if pole and aerial is effective exercise!

Here’s why we’re talking about it:

Every few months, I like to have a little Google about pole and aerial classes to find out what people Google about pole and aerial classes to write some blog posts for the website, exactly such as this one.

So let’s get into the nitty gritty of the question at hand:

Is pole or aerial effective exercise?

Well my first knee jerk reaction would be to shout YESSSS because all exercise if effective.

Literally any form of movement, whether it’s pole, aerial, walking, some squats while you’re watching Love Island, picking up your toddler’s toys, going to the gym, running, padel, pilates, all exercise is effective in boosting your mood, ensuring you age healthier, keeping you mobile, allowing you to sleep better and overall live a more balanced life.

Buuuuuuut:

It’s a bit hard to answer this in all honesty as it depends on what the question asker defines as “effective” no?

And I am guessing when people Google if pole or aerial is effective they are looking for more specific answers.

So I think we need to narrow it down:

Are people asking effective as in effective for strength, energy, wellbeing, cardiovascular fitness, looking buff?
(please stop saying toning up, there is no such thing, it’s simply a re-brand of building muscle and changing your body composition so said muscle is more visible)

Do people mean effective as in effective for helping gain weight/muscle mass or lose body fat?
(alllssooooo please let’s stop shaming people who are doing things in order to lose fat when it is a conscious choice to support health, people are allowed to change their physique in whatever direction to support their health and it’s no one’s business but theirs and you can be body-positive, -confident and -neutral and also put in the work to lose or gain for your individual health and wellbeing)

Effective as in helping with confidence and being a fun hobby?

Effective as in being a long-term consistent sporty thing you also enjoy after a lifetime of a tricky relationship with exercise?

Effective as in allowing you to have a creative movement outlet where you are an active agent in how you experience your training journey?

Effective as in helping you build coordination, proprioception and a better, more grounded feeling of being “in” your body for an hour a week?

Effective as in helping you foster a better sense of body image and acceptance because you are surrounded by real bodies, in real life, of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, ages, doing real exercise?

Enough now with me being deliberately difficult but you see what I’m getting at 🙂

And the answer is still yes though! Pole and aerial is effective at all of these things.

Here are all the benefits of doing something like pole or aerial as part of your weekly routine, and in no particular order:

– increases muscle mass through progressive overload bodyweight training.
Skeletal muscle is good for your bones, organs, brain, keeps you active for longer and also looks fucking siiiick
(as above, I will stand by the notion that is is ok to want to look buff if it’s what you want).

– supports cardiovascular health as it is a great mix between a body weight workout and dance, which gives you a moderate to high intensity cardiorespiratory full-body sesh.

– lowers disease risk factors so you feel better for longer over your life span and enjoy a better quality of life overall. We all wanna be fit and healthy when we’re older no?

Choosing the appropriate physical activity for you, which may or may not be pole/aerial also has these effects:

– helps to prevent accelerated ageing, we all love feeling younger for longer
– makes you feel fitter
– helps with your balance and motor coordination
– lowers stress levels
– promotes arterial health
– lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
– aids digestion
– invaluable with managing mental health, boosting mood, satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment which make you feel great
– ups confidence as you continuously challenge yourself and smash through barriers and hard things
– builds grit and resilience
– manages and prevents diabetes
– keeps your heart healthy
– prevents osteoathritis and osteoporosis
– combats loneliness and social isolation as you get to hang out with cool people in a supportive and welcoming community
– boosts brain health and function because man is it a brain workout to remember names of moves and combos
– builds trusts and mindful connection with your body
– shifts focus from what body looks like to appreciating what it can do as you learn that having cellulite, not being a size 0, being older than 19, or not looking like an instagram fitness bikini model after a 4 month cut has NOTHING to do with what you can achieve in pole or aerial
– due to pole/aerial carrying some element of risk and reward, it does promote agency, trust in yourself and responsibility in knowing your limits
– you play as an adult and do some stuff just for fun away from the pressures of everyday stresses, responsibilities and commitments
– find a form of escapism and a break that tops up your cup for an hour every week that’s more accessible than a holiday, or moving abroad lol

And let’s not forget it makes you feel über fucking cool when you smash out a new trick, it is a really cool hobby to have, and also it feels fucking NICE to look and feel stronger.

I am aware it’s not what everyone is looking for, but it may be the perfect fit for some
and in my humble opinion it is THE BEST and most effective at

– making you feel like a badass
– allowing you to do badass shit
– surrounding yourself with badass people

And if that’s not effective then I don’t know what is 🙂