Chelsea-based Body & Pole caters primarily to adults, but there is a class just for junior aerialists called Fly Kids. It is split by age with one group for children ages 5 through 8 and another for 8- through 13-year-olds. We signed up for the latter and hoped for the best. 

The gym is bright and clean with a spa-like atmosphere at the entrance. On the upper level, a central chill area includes couches, restrooms and a locker room. Classrooms are discretely private behind closed and curtained-off doors. The Fly Kids room was surprisingly small, with black walls and very high ceilings.

Fly Kids is designed to incorporate elements of gymnastics, dance and aerial, but it definitely felt less about dance and more about mastering aerial exercises while building strength, flexibility and coordination. It was a serious 75-minute workout. Kids got to sit and hydrate between exercises, but the class moved quickly and the work was intense.

Instructor Samantha Marsh began with a 20-minute stretch and warm-up and then demonstrated equipment safety basics. While classes typically include hoop and aerial hammock exercises (aerial hammocks are a wonderfully soft and stretchy loop of synthetic fabric suspended from the ceiling), our class focused exclusively on hammock work. There is not much swinging; there is some gentle spinning, but mostly the class focused on combinations that elevate, rotate and dramatically flip the body upside down, upward or sideways. 

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Kids practice flipping around and upside down in aerial hammocks at a Fly Kids class.

New to aerial and gymnastics exercise, my son was soon flipping through the air, suspended over a thick mat and practicing complicated sequences that demanded focus and strength. “When you do the flips, it’s a bit scary in the moment,” he explained later, noting that he never closed his eyes out of fear. “But once it’s over, you’re relieved and you realize it was pretty fun.” 

Generally, about six kids attend a Fly Kids class, but only two other children showed up for ours. That meant teacher Sam was able to provide plenty of individualized attention and design instruction according to experience levels. She was unfailingly upbeat and supportive and looked, frankly, amazing while doing her hammock demos for students. 

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The class was a serious workout that tested participants strength, flexibility and coordination.

Aerial exercises began with a few basic hammock combinations and then became increasingly more complex. Sam demonstrated each sequence first then invited students to the hammocks while she corrected form and gave feedback. She was patient and positive, and each student looked proud to have mastered new skills. At 75 minutes, my son felt it was just the right length. Class ended with each kid demonstrating an aerial sequence to parents; a few parents had just finished their own classes in adjoining rooms. 

The final verdict from my son: “If you want to have a great time, and you like monkey bars and swinging around through the air, I highly recommend this aerial class. I'd do it again.” That's a big thumbs-up from a kid who prefers to spend his Sunday mornings curled up on the couch playing Minecraft.  

The initial Fly Kids class costs $25, future classes cost $40. Wear stretchy, comfortable clothing and socks—and don't forget a water bottle.  

All photos by the author.