How strong do you have to be to try Aerial Classes?
What are Aerial Arts?
Aerial Arts began in the circus. They combine feats of strength and flexibility with dance and are performed on various aerial apparatuses:
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Aerial Silks (also known as Aerial Fabric or Tissu)

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Lyra (or Aerial Hoop)

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Trapeze

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Aerial Sling (or Hammock):

What should I wear/bring to Aerial class?
Is Aerial Yoga the same thing as Aerial Silks or Aerial Sling? (Hint: No!)
Although aerial yoga, aerial silks, and aerial sling (or aerial hammock) all use fabric, they are not the same thing! At Upside, we do not teach aerial yoga. Aerial yoga is still yoga: it just uses a fabric hammock to make yoga poses more accessible or more challenging, depending on how the hammock is used:
Who should NOT take Aerial classes? Is there a weight limit?
Almost anyone can try aerial classes. Age is not an excuse: some of our best students are over 50! However, there are certain scenarios where the risks can outweigh the benefits: very high or low blood pressure, vertigo, seizures, arthritis that interferes with hand gripping, pregnancy, or weight over 250 pounds. It is recommended to carry no more than 40 pounds of excess body weight to avoid excessive strain on the joints. As with any fitness activity, if you have any health concerns, check with your health care provider before participating.
Why do Aerial classes cost more than typical fitness classes?
Upside's prices are similar to other aerial studios. But why are aerial classes more expensive than most other fitness classes?
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Liability Insurance: The liability insurance required to teach acrobatic skills to people high in the air is incredibly expensive! Our liability insurance is more like rock climbing or bungee jumping insurance than fitness insurance. -
Specialized equipment: We use lots of costly, highly-specialized rigging equipment (all professionally installed) as well as special stunt mats and safety flooring. -
Individualized instruction: We keep our class sizes very small so we can provide highly-individualized instruction, proper safety spotting, and maintain COVID-19 safety. -
Highly-trained instructors: All Upside Aerial instructors are certified which requires years of expensive, specialized training. -
Performance Opportunities: The cost of classes helps support regular showcases where our students can show their friends and family all the amazing skills they've been learning! The cost also helps fund our participation in community events where our students can show off their skills on our free-standing aerial rig.
Does Upside offer Kids' classes?
While we do offer private and semi-private lessons for kids age 9 and older who are committed to aerial training, we do not offer kids group classes. At Upside Aerial, our mission is to provide creative movement opportunities specifically for adults. There are so few opportunites for adults to engage in dance and playful, creative movement. But we feel strongly that adults need playgrounds too! So the age range of the majority of our students is 20 to 60+. Check out Upside Aerial student, Andy, at age 61!
Price: How much do Upside classes cost & how do I purchase?
AERIAL GROUP CLASSES
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Drop-In Class: $30 -
4-Class Pass: $104 -
8-Class Pass: $184
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Pole Drop-In Class: $15 -
Pole 8-Class Pass: $100 -
Online Drop-In Class: $10 (pole excluded) -
Online 8-Class Pass: $64 (pole excluded)
PRIVATE LESSONS, PARTIES, PERFORMANCES
- Private Lessons: $75/hour
- $65/hour when you buy a package of 4
- Semi-Private Lessons: $40/person/hour
- Package of 4: $35/person/hour
- Package of 8: $30/person/hour
- Aerial Party: Price varies - request a quote here
- Aerial Performances: Price varies - request a quote here
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Open Studio: $20 per 90-minute session -
Package of 4: $17 per session -
Package of 8: $14 per session
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Rig Point Rental: $35/hour to rent the studio for private practice time -
Mix & match discounted Semi-Private Lessons and Rig Point Rentals when you buy 8 session for $30 each (our Aerial Addict package)
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The easiest way is to download our free mobile app to book classes and buy class passes right from your phone. (Invite Code: B9GNOY) -
You can also use our website: book and pay for classes here or buy class passes here. -
Already booked your lesson and just need to pay? Pay online here.
Does Upside offer drop-in classes?
All our ONLINE classes are beginner-friendly and welcome drop-ins. For our in-person aerial classes, check out the Classes tab and read the class description to be sure you meet the prerequisites.
What are Upside's Booking & Cancellation Policies?
24-Hour Booking & Cancellation Policy for In-Studio Classes:
What are Upside's COVID-19 policies & procedures?
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TOUCH-FREE PAYMENT: All bookings and payments should be made at least 24 hours in advance on our website or free mobile app so we can be touch-free.
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SCREENING of all instructors and students: Everyone will have their temperature checked with our no-touch forehead thermometer and answer COVID-19 screening questions prior to being admitted to the studio.
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SOCIAL DISTANCING: All apparatuses are rigged at least 6 feet apart and group class capacity will be limited.
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MASKS: Masks are required in the studio at all times.
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NO EQUIPMENT SHARING: Every student needs to bring their own yoga mat to all classes for warm-ups and cool-downs. Students must also bring their own aerial apparatus. If you don't have your own, we have a limited number of silks, lyras, and trapezes available for a $6 rental fee. (See FAQ #3 for more information.)
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FREQUENT DISINFECTION of all high touch surfaces before and after instruction. Everyone will need to wash their hands at our in-studio sink upon entering the studio.
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AIR CIRCULATION: Closed, indoor environments greatly increase the risk of viral transmission. If outside temperatures permit it, we will have both our bay door and the studio entrance doors open during classes to circulate outside air through the studio. If outside temperatures are too hot or cold, the doors will be opened before and after class to air out the studio, but closed with the A/C or heat on during classes.
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CONTACT TRACING: Our booking system allows us to know who was present in the studio and when. In the event we become aware that an infected, or potentially infected person was at the studio, both you and local health authorities will be contacted and the studio will be temporarily closed for full disinfection.
How do I rent or buy the aerial equipent I need to follow the studio's COVID-19 Procedures?
If you don't have your own aerial equipment, here's what you need to know:
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Single-Use Rental: $6 payable here. -
1-Month Rental (Fabric Only): We have a limited number of silks/rescue-8 sets for month-long rental for $30. You can pay the monthly rental fee here (but be sure to confirm availability before you pay). Your fabric will be tagged with your name and kept at the studio for use only by you. If the fabric/hardware is damaged to the point of needing replacement, you will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
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Aerial Fabric: We recommend Aerial Essentials. Here is what you'll need: -
Fabric: Order here. Order 16 yards of Low-Stretch fabric in any color you choose. The cost of 16 yards is $144. -
Rescue-8 (also known as Aerial-8): Order here. The cost of an aluminum rescue-8 is $35. This hardware is used to attach your fabric to our pulley system. You shouldn't need any other hardware: we already have swivels and carabiners at the studio. -
Shipping Costs are $18.75 and tax usually runs around $15. Most orders arrive in 3-5 days.
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Trapeze: We recommend Aerial Animals. -
Lyra: We recommend Circus Gear.
Here is a video that shows how to tie your fabric on to your rescue-8. We'll teach you how to do a safety check on your fabric at the studio, and you will be responsible for doing so before each class.