Our Aerial Acrobatics includes three disciplines: Silks, Rope, and Hammock
Aerial Silks is a discipline of aerial acrobatics that uses a long, flexible fabric suspended from a single point on the ceiling. Performers climb the fabric and wrap themselves in it to perform various tricks, poses, and sequences of movements. This art form is often used in circus shows and performances and is renowned for its impressive combination of elegance, strength, and drama. There are a variety of techniques, such as:
- Climbing: Performers ascend the fabric using specialized wrapping and gripping techniques.
- Wraps: The artist wraps the fabric around different body parts to hold poses or position themselves securely in the air.
- Drops: One of the most spectacular aspects is the sudden release from the wraps, allowing the performer to fall in controlled drops, caught by the fabric at a specific point.
Aerial Hammock: Aerial Hammock involves a long, fabric-like cloth attached at two points, forming a loop similar to a hammock. In this loop, performers execute various tricks and movements in the air, including spins, poses, and transitions. The soft surface of the fabric supports control and allows for both dynamic movements and calm, aesthetic poses.
Aerial Rope: Aerial Rope is a single, vertical rope. Unlike the flexible fabric of the Hammock, the rope requires more grip strength and technique, as it does not provide support through a loop. Performers climb the rope and perform complex tricks, wraps, and drops. Rope training focuses heavily on strength, particularly in the arms and upper body.
All three disciplines demand significant strength, flexibility, and body control. Grip strength in the hands and arms, as well as core stability, are especially crucial. They offer unique challenges and are fascinating forms of aerial acrobatics.
Climbs
Climbs employed by aerialists range from purely practical and efficient, such as the Russian climb, to athletic and elegant tricks of their own, such as the straddle climb.
Wraps
Wraps are static poses where aerialists wrap the silks around one or more parts of their body. In general, the more complicated the wrap, the stronger the force of friction and the less effort required to hold oneself up. Some wraps, such as the straddle-back-balance, actually allow performers to completely release their hands. Foot locks are a sub-category of wraps where the silks are wrapped around one or both feet, for instance, an ankle hang.
Drops
In a drop, performers wrap themselves high up on the silks before falling to a lower position. Drops can combine aspects of free fall, rolling or otherwise rotating oneself before landing in a new pose. Preparation for a drop can make for a pretty wrap, but the ultimate goal is the fall rather than the pose. Of the three trick types, drops require the most strength and are also the most potentially dangerous.
Discover our aerial silks & acrobatics classes and many other exciting courses
The aerial silks & acrobatics courses are a very popular highlight in our training schedule. But our functional training, calisthenics and prevention courses will also help you to improve your fitness and health. Additionally we offer very supportive prenatal and postnatal training for pregnant women and new mums. Of course you can also book training sessions with an experienced english personal trainer. With the exciting training offered by Urban Gladiators, there is something for everyone!
Frequently asked questions about our Aerial training in Berlin
What is aerial acrobatics?
Aerial acrobatics is a creative form of movement in the air, performed using different aerial apparatuses.
It’s a unique mix of strength training, acrobatics, and creative expression.
At Urban Gladiators, we focus on:
- aerial silks
- aerial rope
- aerial hammock
Using these apparatuses, you’ll learn to climb, wrap, hang, spin, and eventually even drop through a variety of fun and dynamic movements.
Aerial training helps build:
- strength
- mobility
- flexibility
- coordination
- body awareness
- and confidence
All while giving you space to move creatively and challenge yourself in a supportive environment.
If you’re new to aerial acrobatics, we recommend starting with our Level 1 classes. We’ll guide you safely and step by step through the fundamentals, helping you explore the different apparatuses and discover what feels best for you.
Aerial training mainly focuses on developing shoulder, arm, core, and grip strength, while also improving flexibility, body tension, and coordination. And don’t worry, you do not need strength, flexibility, or experience beforehand. That’s exactly what we’re here to help you build.
Can I start aerial acrobatics as a beginner?
Absolutely!
Our Level 1 aerial classes are designed especially for beginners, so no previous experience is needed. You’ll be guided and supported by our experienced coaches in a welcoming and encouraging environment.
In Level 1, you’ll be introduced to all three apparatuses — aerial hammock, silks, and rope — giving you a strong foundation across different styles of aerial movement. We’ll teach you the fundamentals step by step, helping you build strength, confidence, coordination, and body awareness at your own pace.
Our goal is to help you feel safe, challenged, and excited as you progress, so that when you move into higher levels, you do so with solid technique and confidence behind you.
What kind of training is involved in aerial acrobatics? What exercises are included?
One of the best things about aerial acrobatics is that you become so focused on learning tricks and movements that you often don’t realise how much of a workout you’re actually getting. In many ways, it feels like being a kid again — climbing, swinging, exploring movement, and enjoying being in the playground.
Aerial training mainly uses your own body weight to build strength, coordination, balance, mobility, flexibility, and body awareness in a fun and engaging way.
Training often includes:
- Climbs and conditioning exercises
- Core and grip-strength work
- Balance and coordination drills
- Spins, poses, wraps, and transitions
- Flexibility and mobility training
- Creative movement combinations and sequences
Aerial acrobatics especially helps strengthen the shoulders, arms, back, core, and grip strength, while also improving overall body control and confidence.
At UG, we love combining all of these elements into creative and exciting movements that keep training both challenging and enjoyable.
What exactly is aerial silks?
At UG, we’ve often heard aerial silks described as “climbing curtains” — although it’s definitely a lot more elegant than that.
Using two long pieces of fabric suspended from the ceiling, you’ll learn climbs, wraps, poses, spins, drops, and flowing sequences in the air. Aerial silks combines strength, creativity, and technique, allowing you to move both powerfully and gracefully while suspended in the fabric.
As you progress, you’ll build confidence, body awareness, flexibility, and control, all while learning exciting and creative movements.
Whether you want to challenge yourself physically, express yourself creatively, or simply try something new, aerial silks offers something for everyone.
Who is aerial silk training suitable for?
Aerial silks is for anyone and everyone. If you have the willingness to learn, then here at UG we have the passion and experience to guide you. You do not need any previous experience, flexibility, strength, or specific fitness level to get started. We meet you where you are and help you build step by step at your own pace.
Through aerial silk training, you’ll develop strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, coordination, and confidence, all while challenging yourself in a fun and supportive environment.
Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a creative way to move your body, or simply want to try something outside of your comfort zone, aerial silks has something to offer everyone.
Is aerial silks dangerous?
Like any physical sport, aerial silks does come with risks, which is why safety is always our top priority at UG.
Our highly trained coaches guide you through every movement step by step, helping you build confidence, strength, and technique safely. You’ll always train with thick crash mats, professionally maintained equipment, and close instructor support throughout your classes.
We begin with foundations close to the ground before progressing to more challenging movements at height, allowing you to develop safely at your own pace.
For both your safety and the protection of the equipment
- jewellery
- watches
- and clothing with zippers
are not permitted during training, as they can snag or damage the fabrics and equipment.
We also recommend wearing clothing that covers the backs of the knees, waist, and underarms where possible, even during summer. The fabrics can create friction during certain movements and drops, and covered skin is usually much more comfortable while training.
When students follow instructor guidance and studio safety rules, aerial silks can be an incredibly safe, rewarding, and empowering sport to train in.