Butterflies and being really bloody nervous before setting foot into your very first pole or aerial class is a shared experience we’ve all had. 

Then there is the question of which class is best for us! Pole, heels, or aerial hoop? Aerial silks or sling or mixed disciplines? Should I best start in a taster, a beginner class or do a course? What’s the difference and which one is right for me personally? 

Also can someone tell me what happens in the actual first session? What do I have to be able to do? Surely everyone is 21, cartwheeling, inverting, gymnasticing, splitting, handstanding, pull up-ing all over the place! Does this mean Ii will stand out like a sore thumb and people will judge me for being the newbie?

If you have these kind of thoughts and more, our library of beginner resources on the Momentum on the Mic podcast has got your name on.

We give you bite-sized and honest insights into starting pole or aerial class so you can decide what the best way forward is for you 🙂 

Can I start pole or aerial class? Is this type of training right for me?

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7f2QR8zbawZpIaqmyaiZIP?si=d03c1ac93b234d74 

We have loads of preconceived notions about an exercise class such as pole dancing or aerial arts. And it is also normal to question whether or not stepping into a pole or aerial arts class is the right thing for you. You may wonder if you’re too old, if your body shape and size is right for pole/aerial, whether it is even possible to do these without a gymnastics or dance background. 

Then there is the question of what everyone else in class is like? Will we fit in and make friends of be the lonely newbie in the corner? And lastly, if we do try it and like it, is it enough to attend once a week or do I have to adopt the schedule of a 17 year old Russina ballerina to see any progress?

Let’s dive into it and have a little chat about the reality of pole and aerial class, what is is like being a beginner, and who can actually enjoy something like a pole or aerial class in the first place. 

This episode is your one-stop shop for some valuable insight that let’s you decide if that pole or aerial class you’ve been eyeing up is the right choice for you! 

Which is more beginner-friendly? Pole class or aerial class?

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dZrMEQRDdZpIpSqsjGizx?si=ca8af566ad6a4bdb 

Hmmmmm, which one will it be? The metal stick or a dangly thing from the ceiling? Both look kinda intimidating and scary right? But is one of them actually easier or more beginner-friendly than the other? 

The short answer: it depends. 

The actual answer: it depends on you 🙂

If this is a dilemma you are wrangling with, we’ve got a nice podcast episode that explains the main differences between beginner pole and beginner aerial arts class, and how you can choose which is best for you to get started with! 

How to start pole class

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5K6e84KArRymtz2Y2ah83I?si=5a2396a71e144900 

Come and join is for 20 minutes of a good natter about what to expect in your very first pole class. We go over what to wear and why, the sorts of moves and poses you will be learning, how the warm up is structured, and who you will meet in a standard beginner pole sesh. Spoiler: you will likely not be able to do every single thing perfectly and that is the whale point of the class – to learn, try something new and embrace the fact that we won’t be perfect when we start something brand new. We also cover what happens after class, why being sore is entirely normal and what to do if you came away with a few bruises aka pole kisses and how to fund your new pole addiction as you will likely fall in love in that first class.

How to start an aerial arts class: being a first timer in aerial hoop, fabric, trapeze and more

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jYw2Cwyy1CRqQRIhWcvnH?si=95b471c9ff0c4ed7

This episode gives you the full low-down on how a first time aerial arts class works. We start off by sharing tips on what to wear as that aerial hoop, the trapeze bar or even the silks can actually be quite painful against bare skin at the very start. 

Find out what an aerial arts class warm up entails, how you will get into the hoop or trapeze, or onto the fabric and get a good solid idea of the poses you will get to try. 

It is likely that you will feel some muscles you haven’t felt for a long time, especially the day after, and that you may have the odd bruise from the equipment here and there. All totally normal and part of the new aerial addiction and learning curve!
Listen in to be as prepared as possible and feel well informed and empowered to take the first step into your new hobby and likely a new passion! 

What was your first class like? The Momentum Pole & Aerial instructors and teaching assistants let you in on how their very first class went

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dlkRowbl78Fp0J8P7xfcN?si=c3641d19fd1540db 

Everyone has a reason for starting, and everyone has their own unique route into trying their first pole or aerial arts class.

Even your teacher, so the person that stands at the front of the room, doing all this cool stuff, all confident, encouraging and reassuring, had that first ever class experience – all nervous, apprehensive, and likely not being a pro either 🙂

So if you are looking for a bit of insight into what a first ever class is like, crave a bit of reassurance, and perhaps fancy hearing a bit of shared experience around being the nervous newbie, check out our collection of stories! 

Hear a seasoned pole and aerial teacher talk about their first ever class and what is was like to start again after a long break

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bZRvQniduirRvNXayz326?si=b08e38309e8841d2

Listen to a pole and aerial instructor (Shay Maloney) and a pole and aerial studio owner (Anna R) get real and honest about their first ever class and how to come back to classes after a longer break.

But not many people have stopped, and then started again. And guess what, perhaps the nerves are even more, well, nervy, that second time!

When we first start, and when we start once more after we have been out of the game due to work, life, money or in Shay’s case – a pandemic, mindset matters more than anything. Discover how kind and encouraging, open-minded internal self-talk can help us take the first step, either for the very first time, or once again!

Listen in on this conversation for some unreal mindset gems that will help you keep calm and book that first class, or step back into your studio when life has had other plans for a while!