AIR® Aerial Fitness Class Review!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of going to try out the AIR® Aerial Fitness studio here in Charlotte.  Perhaps you’ve heard of aerial yoga.  Perhaps right now you have visions of ribbons hanging from the ceiling and acrobatic women twisting and turning about with ease.  I know that’s what my thoughts were on it before I went to try it out!  And I was pretty nervous to give it a try because I had NO idea what it was really going to be like.  I mean, I’ve done yoga for many years and have taken pretty much and boot camp type class you can think of.  But this goes beyond aerial yoga.  I was under some preconceived impression that this was only going to be a yoga class with some ribbons involved.  But, like the name suggests, AIR® Aerial Fitness encompasses many aspects of fitness, well past your typical vinyasa.

Spoiler alert: It kicked my booty and was SO FUN.  What else could you possibly ask for in a fitness class?

Owner of the AIR® Aerial Fitness Charlotte location, Kerri, hosted my cousin Elizabeth and me for a private class.  First off, when you enter the space, it’s just such a light and airy (no pun intended) vibe, clean white brick walls and these beautiful ribbons hanging from the ceiling.  By the way, they’re called aerial hammocks officially but I like calling them ribbons 🙂 I’m clearly a rookie.

Anyways, Kerri lead us through the AIR® Foundation class.  This class is a “50-minute beginner class that introduces new clients to aerial exercises on hammocks; the class emphasizes basic alignment, foundation, and specific muscle action so that the body can learn how to balance on aerial hammocks.  AIR® is an intense aerial fitness training program fusing elements of conditioning, Pilates, ballet and HIIT (high intensity interval training) on aerial hammocks.  Regardless of its beginner pace, AIR® Foundation will deliver a challenging workout. No experience required.”  You can read about the other types of AIR®  classes here.

And yes, our class went through all of those different elements of Pilates, ballet, yoga, HIIT, etc.  And that’s exactly why it’s so fun (and challenging!) because it constantly changing up!  One minute I was doing one legged burpees with the hammock and the next minute I was doing a forearm headstand.  Which, by the way, I was never able to nail in my yoga practice (back when I went 5-6x per week) so this felt like a special kind of achievement!

Your core is constantly engaged throughout the workout because you have to keep it tight! Engaging that core is crucial to the balance that the class pushes you to have for the moves.  They don’t call it “The Best Core Workout In The World” for nothing!  Also, Kerri had some awesome music going, which for me is imperative. It gets you hyped up and definitely adds to the atmosphere, and makes you want to push yourself and keep going!

Here’s a video that is just me playing around after class was over, but gives you an idea of just some of the moves you might do in an class!

Another aspect that I loved is that the use of the hammock allows you to get a deeper stretch that you would without because you get gravity on your side.  So you work those legs until they’re burning then you get the most amazing stretch in.  It’s glorious.  And some of those fun upside down poses aren’t so hard to get into really! Kerri told us exactly what to do with our legs and arms and before you know it you’re effortlessly suspended in the hammock.  I loved this one, which is essentially pigeon pose, except upside down.

The studio is located in Myers Park, but another one is opening in SouthPark in early February! Be sure to follow them on Instagram here so you can stay up to date on all the news 🙂

The best part? You can try your first class FREE! Use code: AIRCHARLOTTE when you sign up online here or contact myerspark@airfitnow.com.  Grab a girlfriend and go try it!  Be sure to let me know what you think!

Thanks Kerri & AIR® Aerial Fitness for an amazing workout!

xo,

Bess