My friend Kristin told me a few months ago that she has a friend who does aerial workouts. Say what? What’s an aerial class? You know, like Cirque du Soliel style. Like hanging from the ceiling? Yep. Sweet. Count me in. I want a piece of that action.
So I lcalled up Jennifer Drabik Pierce, the owner of Orlando Aerial Arts, and drove out to Kissimmee. If you’ve ever wanted to run away and join the circus, well here’s your chance. It’s part workout part circus act. And the best part is anyone can do it regardless of your fitness level. For beginners like me, you start with baby steps but in 6 to 8 months who knows you could be climbing up to 15 feet in the air.
It is, Jennifer tells me, the perfect way to gain flexibility, core strength and all over body strength. You are so busy mastering the skills that you don’t even realize you’re burning calories at the same time. If aerial silk isn’t right for you there’s always aerial hoop classes or even anti gravity yoga where you don’t need as much strength but rather flexibility and coordination. Don’t be intimidated; Jennifer will gear the workout to your current fitness level, and you literally start form the ground up. Go ahead, defy gravity. You’ll walk away with a fitness high, for sure.
If you go: Prepare for your arm muscles to be sore the next day. Be sure to take video because your friends may not believe you.
Orlando Aerial Arts
5390 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34746