(Part 2) Best products from r/Aerials

I generally get the "reflex by 90 degrees" tights off Amazon. They are like $10/pair and great There are two different kinds, one comes in patterns the other is solid colors, slight more expensive but breathes a little better. I get my leotards from discountdance and Gkelite. The discount dance ones are cheaper but slightly thicker material. The gkelite ones fit me a little better, breathe better and don't cause leotard butt but are more expensive and slightly thinner material.

I bought these from Amazon. Washed and worn several times and I like them a lot for more slippy types. Witkey stirrup leggings

These are definitely a bigger hit in the pocket but they’re grippier and do a lot of nice shaping as well as having a great company ethos. GRRRL clothing

My book BEGINNERS GUIDE TO AERIAL SILK and online videos may be able to help. They are great tools for those new to the beautiful yet challenging art of aerial.
Check them out!
YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsv_GqL575lWivFqi8LZ8XA
BOOK:
http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Aerial-Silk-Franklin/dp/0692288236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421477792&sr=8-1&keywords=beginners+guide+to+aerial+silk

Mad Rock crash mats are primarily for bouldering. Like to be light/portable and protect from falls onto sharp rocks so it's not going to get any softer. My friends have them for climbing. They work well for that, but yeah, too hard for aerial.

I got a mat from "We Sell Mats" on Amazon that's actually pretty decent considering it came from Amazon with free shipping. Quite a bit softer than the Mad Rock mats, but still sturdy.

Pullups issuing towels or fabric are best for grip conditioning. You can also get squeezy things that are made for climbers.

As for conditioning, pullups, inverts (straight leg, straight arms), inverted climbs, repeated climbs are all good for conditioning on silks. Stay up and doing skills as long as you can.

On Lyra/trapeze, we do little egg rolls, where you touch 'shoelaces' (top of feet) then into a tucked pull up position with chin over the hoop, repeatedly, back and forth. Front balance roll-ups are good for abs/back.

I have long dreadlocks (a little past my hips) and I flip my head upside down and twist it tightly into a bun on top of my head securing it all with an elastic. Actually I use a headband due to the thickness, but if you don't have dreads then a regular hair tie would probably work. It usually holds pretty well.

They wouldn't work in my hair, but my aerial instructor usually puts her hair in a low bun using spin pins like these https://www.amazon.com/Goody-Simple-Styles-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003FVDNO6?th=1

I started using palm guards when I started swinging. I'm 100% doing trapeze for fun but they seem to make my hands rip less and make me more confident in my grip.

I'll probably switch to dowels (almost everyone I see uses them) at some point but I hear the gripping feels weird.

From what I hear, everyone likes different things and you should try things out.

Here's the ones I buy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JMLX7AS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_v8EJGatMBCGrq

I have pretty sensitive skin and I didn't find them itchy. Here's a link: Magid KVBK18TST RoadMaster Kevlar Sleeve with Thumb Slot, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007USBRP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5rFuybYQJEJBD

I used ankle protectors mainly 'cause that's what I had on hand and they fit me tightly and the fabric was very thick. ( :

Thanks everyone for your responses! I went with these and absolutely love them! Also working on making some boots

Core is important - when you are standing in the silks they are doing a lot of work stabilizing you. There was an impressive core workout in [here] (https://www.reddit.com/r/Aerials/comments/7u7rav/what_kind_of_ab_workouts_do_you_like_to_do_to/)

dont forget to follow this with backbends (like bridge, camel or wheel)

You can also get rubber (resistance / exercise) [bands] (https://www.amazon.com/EXERCISE-Resistance-Equipment-Strength-Training/dp/B00UKELRAI/ref=pd_sim_200_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00UKELRAI&pd_rd_r=RJVYWNV55CVXQY1G3F6H&pd_rd_w=hGuOq&pd_rd_wg=Q9mW2&psc=1&refRID=RJVYWNV55CVXQY1G3F6H) to help work out your shoulders.

You might like the hand lotion stuff I started using recently. It feels kinda gross on your hands, and you have to put it on during the day, right before aerials is no good, but it really does help. I straight up forgot to use any dry hands at a hammock class after a couple days of it.

I’m an aerialist of 9 years and had to wear something during times where my wrist arthritis was acting up. I don’t think it has hindered my training in anyway. I used these https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IBVSME6/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1521001627&sr=8-15&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=lifting+wrist+brace+pink&dpPl=1&dpID=51ovcSsDt4L&ref=plSrch as long as it’s not an injury that needs additional time to heal, additional support is not a bad thing. Just make sure your doc clears you to return. I usually tuck the thumb loop in.

I have steel one as well, I think this is the one

pull up bar

I installed it over the door frames which gives extra height and a bit more security (of course not for inversions)

Looks like this - older picture of me dangling

pull up bar in use

Yeah, I looked at their load capacity and it’s rated at 25kN which is what the Aerial Essentials ones are. I bought them originally feeling confident about their safety and credibility, but recently I’ve been seeing posts about certain Amazon store vendors selling fake/illegitimate equipment and now I’m nervous I made a mistep.

For reference: these are the ones I purchased. CARAPEAK also makes flimsier looking ones, but I purchased the aluminum autolocking all rated at 25kN.

I've been doing aerials for about 3 years, and just bought a used aerial rig for my backyard (!!!!). I believe it's this one. I don't have any other equipment yet or any experience rigging, and I don't want to die of a spinal injury in my backyard. I have a lead on a hoop from one of my instructors, but I'm not sure what to get as far as other rigging equipment. My current amazon shopping list looks like this:

- carabiners

- swivel

- span set

Is this okay? Should I take a class on rigging? Should I hire someone to come look this over once I'm set up?

51M flying trapeze instructor here. We get all sorts of ages and body types. Sam Keen started at the age of 61. Still flying at 83. https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Fly-Sam-Keen/dp/0767901762

Rock exotica makes a Swivel / Carabiner that might work for you. it's $82, but has an integrated carabiner so you'll save a few bucks (and vertical inches) there.

Fusion make's a cheaper one at $33.