Come Prepared to Train
Appropriate clothing protects students’ skin, allows instructors to
see body alignment and helps prevent damage to aerial fabric and equipment.
These dress and behavior expectations apply to youth and adult aerial
classes. Please review them before the first class and ask your
instructor if you are unsure about clothing, jewelry or equipment.
Aerial Clothing
What to Wear
Tops
- Wear a fitted shirt or leotard that stays in place upside down.
- For most skills, the stomach should remain covered.
- Tops that cover the armpits are strongly recommended.
- Keep a fitted long-sleeved shirt in your aerial bag.
Leggings & Tights
- Wear fitted leggings, pants or dance tights that cover the backs of the knees.
- Dance tights may be worn under fitted shorts.
- Avoid loose or wide-legged pants.
- Bare legs are not recommended for aerial training.
A note about crop tops and sports bras
Sports bras and crop tops may be appropriate for some skills, but exposed midriffs should be approved by the instructor when they will not interfere with the day’s training.
Footwear
Silks & Lyra
Silks and lyra have different footwear recommendations. Keep the
appropriate items in your aerial bag.
Street shoes are never permitted on aerial mats or equipment.
Before Class
Protecting Skin & Equipment
Hair
Hair must be secured away from the face. Bring an extra hair tie
so long hair can be placed in a bun or adjusted when needed.
Jewelry & Piercings
Remove necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, hoops and anything
that could catch. Small, smooth stud earrings are usually
acceptable. Other piercings must be removed or covered.
Fingernails & Toenails
Nails must be smooth. Long, sharp, broken or rough-edged nails
must be trimmed, filed or appropriately covered before class.
Lotions & Oils
Do not apply lotion, body oil or other slippery skin products
before class. They affect grip and transfer onto the equipment.
Zippers & Hardware
Clothing may not have exposed zippers, buckles, hooks, Velcro,
metal decorations, sequins or anything that could catch on fabric.
Pack Your Aerial Bag
- Water bottle
- Extra hair tie
- Fitted long-sleeved shirt
- Clean socks for lyra
- Medical tape when needed
Class Expectations
Aerial Class Behavior
Aerial training requires attention, patience and respect for instructor
directions. Youth students should review these expectations with a
parent or guardian before their first class.
Before Getting on the Apparatus
- Participate fully in the instructor-led warm-up and conditioning.
- Wait for instructor permission before touching or mounting any apparatus.
- Use only the apparatus assigned to you during class.
- Make sure an approved mat is correctly positioned underneath before beginning.
While Training
- Follow instructor directions, progressions and skill checkpoints.
- Demonstrate new skills low to the ground before working higher.
- Practice only skills taught or assigned by a Weehawken instructor.
- Do not attempt new skills from social media or outside videos.
- Students may not teach, coach or spot one another.
- No roughhousing, unauthorized climbing or distracting others.
- Do not play on equipment that is not being used for your class.
- Tell the instructor about pain, dizziness, an injury or an equipment concern.
Questions Before Class?
Contact your instructor if you are unsure whether an item of clothing,
piece of jewelry or other accessory is appropriate.
Ready to Explore Aerial?
Weehawken offers aerial classes for youth and adults in Montrose and Ridgway.
