Aerial workouts will elevate your fitness
Plus: Top news of the week — Brewery owner dies in fall; Union County bans fluoride from water system; Wells Fargo skyscraper sign approved; baby eagles arrive in Piper Glen
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Want to take your workout to new heights? Try an aerial silks class like I did.
Is exercising more on your to-do list this year? Check out our occasional series exploring offbeat fitness facilities, where unconventional workouts keep things interesting.
by Cristina Bolling
I’m a big fan of Cirque du Soleil shows, where iron-strong aerial acrobats with breathtaking flexibility and courage twirl and climb on columns of silk fabric or thick rope.
So to learn that someone like me, approaching 50 and nowhere near iron-strong, could give an aerial workout a whirl on a random Saturday? Sign me up!
There are a number of aerial studios in Charlotte that offer classes, and I chose AerialCLT on North Tryon in uptown, which has a 10,000 square foot space and caters to a wide range of exercisers, from beginners (and even children) to advanced aerialists.
There’s a whole range of beginner classes (or “fundamentals” classes in AerialCLT lingo) to choose from: lyra, which are like giant hula hoops dangling from the ceiling; silks, which are two long columns of fabric; hammock, which is one big drop of fabric in a U-shape loop, and trapeze, which as it sounds is a rigid bar suspended by two ropes.
Cristina learned about five different moves, including this “standing hip lean,” which is perfect for showing off your new skills on social media.
It’s easy to sign up online, and the AerialCLT website gives a good description of the classes and the rules. I was drawn in by the studio’s inclusiveness for newbies like me: “Learn to fly on aerial silks, hammock, trapeze or lyra in our supportive, non intimidating, beginner friendly fitness and dance classes. Our motto is ‘no pull up required.’”
Phew.
I picked a 90-minute beginner aerial silks class, at a price of $30, which seemed like a good place to start. Here’s a breakdown of the experience:
The prep: One of the nice things about aerial workouts is that there’s no equipment to bring — not even shoes.
You must wear snug athletic pants or leggings that extend past the knee, and prepare to tuck in your T-shirt or wear a tight-fitting top that won’t flop over your head if you go upside down. Midriffs must be covered. A water bottle is a good idea.
The vibe: Stepping into AerialCLT was a visual feast, because of all that goes on in the expansive brick-walled, wood-floored space.
The studio is wide open and organized by apparatus: In one area, men and women were twisting on ropes high in the rafters; off to the right, a group was hanging and spinning on the hula-hoop-shaped lyra, and to the left was a group on trapezes. Toward the front of the room, others were working out on aerial silks and hammocks.
The mood was calm in the studio — no need for whispering, but there wasn’t blaring music or lots of shouting like you might find in other gyms. The majority of the patrons and instructors were women, but there were several men, and there was a range of body types. (You don’t need to look like Adonis or Barbie to fit in here.)
The workout: Our silks instructor, Madison, divided a group of about nine of us by ability and put me with two other first-timers at one set of silks and a mat. Some in our session had been coming to AerialCLT for years, one couple driving even as far as Fort Mill.
Everyone brought a sheet of paper that had check marks by the skills they’d accomplished — you bring this to every class — so that helped Madison decide on the groupings.
We all warmed up together for a few minutes, doing wide arm circles, stretches on the floor and even wrist stretches. (Wrists, I would come to find out, are hugely important in aerial workouts.)
I wondered at first how Madison would manage leading so many people with different skill levels, but she moved from group to group smoothly.
She’d show us first-timers a movement, like how to wrap our wrists and arms in the silks and lift our legs to hang like monkeys, and then have us practice as she walked around to lead other groups.
My fellow first-timers, Lauren and Kendra, were super supportive, and we complimented and took photos of each other when we mastered a move. I was surprised by how much strength it took to complete even some of the small skills.
We squealed with delight when we learned the “foot lock,” which is one of the workhorse moves in aerial arts — when you wrap the silks around a foot and ankle and then are able to rise several feet off the floor.
The time went quickly as we learned and practiced about five different moves, ending with a highly Instagrammable “standing hip lean,” where we did a foot-lock and then pinched the silks in a hip and stretched out to the side.
Just like Cirque! (Well, maybe not quite.)
The takeaway: This wasn’t a huffing-and-puffing, sweat-like-a-beast workout, but I definitely broke a sweat and felt some sore muscles the next day. It checked the box for a solid exercise session, in my book.
I’d been impressed by how much the experienced students around me seemed to be enjoying hanging upside down, climbing high, twirling and stretching midair. Their movements were so controlled and yet seemed so freeing.
As I walked out of AerialCLT with my very own paper skills checklist, I was both proud and inspired. I’d love to try it again sometime.
And a few weeks later when I went to see a Cirque show in Las Vegas, I enjoyed it on a whole new level. “Nice foot lock,” I told the performers in my head.
Cristina Bolling is managing editor of The Ledger: cristina@cltledger.com
Want to try it?
Aerial CLT has a range of price options, from drop-in classes at $30 to $210 monthly memberships and passes of 4 classes for $95 or 8 classes for $160. You can sometimes find AerialCLT deals on Groupon.
Other aerial studios in the region include: Bloom Movement Artistry on Old Pineville Road, Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center on Monroe Road, AIR Charlotte in Pineville and Kelly’s School of Dance & Aerial in Fort Mill, S.C.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Christian McBride, The Movement Revisited | Blumenthal Performing Arts (blumenthalarts.org). Grammy Award®-winning bassist and host of NPR’s Jazz Night in America Christian McBride presents his acclaimed opus “The Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait of Four Icons” at Belk Theater.
This week in Charlotte: Early voting continues; Wooden Robot owner dies in accident; big pickleball complex coming to Cornelius; will a 16-year-old start in Charlotte FC opener?
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Some CMS magnet schools struggle to attract students: (WFAE) The 2024 magnet lottery results for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reveal that 56 schools have open spots. Some magnets like Rea Farms STEAM Academy have long waitlists, while others are struggling to attract applicants.
Charlotte's biggest private schools say no to scholarship program: (Ledger) North Carolina’s expanded Opportunity Scholarship program offers families, regardless of income, the chance to receive thousands of dollars for private school education, but three of Charlotte’s largest and most prestigious private schools have opted out.
Politics
Sidman gains fundraising edge: (Ledger) In the hotly contested N.C. House District 105 race in south Charlotte, Democratic candidate Nicole Sidman appears to be gaining a fundraising edge to take on Democrat-turned-Republican Tricia Cotham, garnering support from prominent local figures like former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl and former Charlotte City Council member Julie Eiselt.
🇺🇸Early voting continues: Check out the Ledger’s comprehensive voter guide with candidate bios, Q&As, videos and the latest election news. It’s all in the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub – free to all – now through election day.
Local news
Brewery co-owner dies in fall: (WSOC) Wooden Robot co-founder Dan Wade died in a fall at the brewery’s South End location Tuesday afternoon. Wade was one of Wooden Robot's co-founders and its director of operations. The brewery said in an Instagram post that the fall was accidental. Donations have been pouring in for Wade’s wife and son.
Union County bans fluoride in water supply: (WFAE) Union County leaders have banned fluoride in the county’s water system, despite its long-standing use in U.S. public water systems since the 1940s, following concerns about potential harms such as lowered IQs, and arguments for medical freedom and individual choice in water additives.
Business
Wells Fargo sign approved uptown: (WCNC) Charlotte city leaders unanimously approved Wells Fargo's request to add its name to the top of the former Duke Energy building in uptown, overturning a previous denial from a city zoning advisory committee.
Pickleball complex in Cornelius: (Biz Journal) The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen has plans for a $15M development in Cornelius that includes a 51,086 s.f. facility with 16 pickleball courts, a pro shop, outdoor courts, a restaurant, café, bar, lounge and meeting rooms.
Sports
A 16yo could start in Charlotte FC opener: (Fútbol Friday) In the lead-up to Charlotte FC's first game, coach Dean Smith is considering starting 16-year-old winger Nimfasha Berchimas. Berchimas, a Tanzanian-born talent, impressed during preseason camp and has experience with the U.S. Under-17 National team.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Retirement homes are becoming culinary hotspots: Senior living communities in Charlotte are stepping up their culinary game, offering residents not just a place to live but a gourmet dining experience. Hanna Raskin of The Food Section reviews six popular Charlotte retirement communities and their culinary options.
Appeals court tosses complaint against DeMayo: A North Carolina appeals court has dismissed a disciplinary complaint against prominent Charlotte lawyer Michael A. DeMayo, ruling that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove he knowingly made false statements to a folder colleague about a client conversation.
Ballantyne hospital president departs: Ben Broderson, who spearheaded the opening of Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center last summer, has parted ways with the company. Joy Greear, who oversees Novant’s Mint Hill hospital, will now oversee both the Ballantyne and Mint Hill hospitals.
New Toppman review🎭: Ledger arts critic Lawrence Toppman attended Friday night’s performance of “The Mountaintop” at Theatre Charlotte, which imagines Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s final night before he was fatally shot 56 years ago. Read the full review.
How to strengthen your networking muscle: Networking remains a valuable tool for professionals like Michael Orzech, COO of the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce, who along with other local experts offers some tips for successful networking in a world that’s increasingly reliant on virtual communication.
Court says CMS can't be sued for Covid bus collision: A North Carolina appeals court ruled this week that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools cannot be sued for damages after a collision involving a school bus delivering meals during the pandemic, as the bus was considered to be operating in an emergency capacity. The ruling was a reversal of an earlier decision.
Baby eagles arrive in Piper Glen: Piper and Glen, a pair of American bald eagles who are a factor in a dispute over a proposed development in south Charlotte, have hatched eaglets at their nest at the TPC Piper Glen golf course.
🎧New podcast: Karen Graci, the former executive director of PFLAG Charlotte, shares the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their families and the importance of education and allyship.
Progress at The Pearl: Construction is progressing at The Pearl, Atrium Health's new innovation district in Midtown/Dilworth, where buildings are taking shape to house the future Wake Forest University School of Medicine, set to open in summer 2025.
Thomas LaFontine “Fountain” Odom, known for his roles as a North Carolina state senator and lawyer, had a diverse range of interests and talents beyond politics, including rose gardening, beekeeping and flying hot air balloons. He died peacefully after a lengthy illness on Nov. 28, 2023, at age 85.
📫Reader mailbag: Readers weigh in on plans to widen U.S. 521, the city’s “roads-first” mobility plan, tourism tax money and more.
📅Mark your calendars for two can’t-miss Ledger gatherings this week: social district launch event and charity bourbon tasting
Our Ledger calendars are overflowing this week with things you won’t want to miss. Here’s a quick rundown:
➡️On Tuesday, we’re co-hosting The Plaza Midwood Social District Pre-Launch Event, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Dish, 1220 Thomas Ave. Join the Ledger, the Plaza Midwood Merchants Association and CLT Public Relations for an exclusive preview event offering an inside look at how Charlotte’s first social district will work and what it means for local businesses and the public. Food, drinks and official social district reusable steel cup are included. $60. Registration required.
➡️On Thursday, The Ledger and North Carolina Health News are hosting a charity bourbon tasting event to benefit the Ledger’s partnership with nonprofit North Carolina Health News, which brings in-depth, quality healthcare journalism to our region. It’ll happen from 7-9 p.m. at The Long Room, 1111 Central Ave. in Plaza-Midwood (with ample free parking available behind the building). Cost: $65 per person, or $120 per couple.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman, BC Creative