Aerial Hoop Instruction for De-Conditioned Clients

New students to an aerial class come from many different places. Gymnasts see a performance or video and recognize movement patterns that they have experienced. Dancers are attracted to the movement and the grace. Fitness buffs are always looking for fun workouts. And some new students will be coming off the couch. As an aerial arts and pole instructor you will likely have many fitness levels, strength levels and body awareness levels happening in a beginning class. A great instructor will have some tricks up her sleeve to help reach new students.

Making the choice to come to a fitness class or dance class is difficult for many people. All new students feel awkward, uncoordinated and not strong or pretty in the beginning. Most of us remember the first months of aerial arts or pole and it was exciting and new, but also required perseverance.

We define that average client as a person who does not have years of training in gymnastics, dance, acrobatics and therefore may not have the necessary body awareness or strength required to be competition or performance ready within a matter of months. There is nothing wrong with this, not everyone wants to be a gymnast or has put 10,000 hours into a related sport. This client could be very fit; he or she could participant in other sports or workout regularly. The other side of this is a client who is not very fit. In my previous post, Training De-Conditioned Clients , I discussed the psychology and blocks that new students face.

For some people the reason they are not in shape is that they have never found an activity that they love and a great instructor can help a new student fall in love with aerial arts and pole. Another important thing to keep in mind, working out is a lifestyle change. A student’s social groups influence their extra curricular activities. It is hard to change your pattern and start attending a class after work instead of going to happy hour with friends, spending time with family or collapsing into the couch.

Insider Tips for Teaching Successful Aerial Hoop Classes

Brand New Students

The number one problem you will have in your beginning aerial hoop classes is lack of strength. The irony of aerial hoop is that getting in the hoop can be the most difficult part of class, as it generally requires a pull-up of sorts and complete activation of the core and upper body. Most students are not doing pull-up training at home before they come to an aerial hoop class. Here are some teaching tips that can help you have successful aerial hoop classes and reach de-conditioned clients.

Lower the Hoop

Do not get caught up in ego or laziness, if a student cannot get into the hoop and is therefore struggling lower the hoop. At all Atmosphere Fitness beginning classes and trainings we lower the hoop to chest height. This way students use less energy. Doing a straight-arm pull-up is cool but is it a realistic request of beginning students? They need time to build strength and body awareness.

Teach the Vine Climb

The vine climb in a simple entrance that does not require complex strength movement. Most new students will have no trouble doing this entrance. Begin with the hands on one side of the hoop about halfway down or three-quarters down. Lift the opposite leg up into the center of the hoop and catch at the knee pit. Engage the leg muscles and core and walk the hands up the side of the hoop. When able reach across the hoop so that the hands are on opposite sides of the hoop. Come up to a seated scissors position. If your student is not getting this entrance, lower the hoop even more.