AirCraft Aerial Arts

My last review was strictly on the taster class, but now I feel the need to update my review since I’ve started attending open studio at AirCraft.
AirCraft offers open studio for $ 15 /​hour at the non-​student rate, which is pricier than Esh where it is $ 10 for the day (sometimes this means 3 hours). I do enjoy the space at AirCraft though, but would rate it a 3.5 star. I likd that you sign up for a slot so there will always be enough apparatuses for everyone who is there, unlike at Esh where it’s more of a free for all, but allows you to meet other people and have some rest time. The silks aren’t as well maintained though – for example the one I used last week had a pretty strong stench of sweat, which is why I can’t really give Aircraft a high of a rating still.
There are a fair number of open studio sessions at AirCraft, ~20 hours per week, which is a great supplement to Esh’s schedule. They are also extremely responsive to emails, which I appreciate.
I guess I realized that I shouldn’t be so hard on the taster class, as many of the individuals there likely won’t return to aerials. I can’t speak for the classes since I don’t plan on being a student here, but I do recommend open studio here if you’re looking for a place to train and need times other than the open studio sessions offered by Esh.
There is also a parking lot at the end of the street where you can park so it is very convenient.

I tried a «taster class» with a group of ladies and we had fun! We arrived and the space was totally unique. It was converted from an old gym and has a cool vibe. I didn’t really know what to expect and once we chatted a bit, we did some warming up and stretching (thank god, I don’t think I would have been able to move the next day if we hadn’t) Then we jumped right into using the silks. I had never tried this before and I will say that some of the moves aren’t pleasant (READ — HURT) although maybe for some are just uncomfortable. I also have some extra weight, so there’s that. It was definitely cool to hang upside down though! Next we tried the trapeze and again, I had a difficult time getting myself up. Lack of upper body strength and extra body weight were not my friend (they never are but it was glaringly apparent here) and finally we moved to the hanging circle (not the technical term :)) I had fun spinning on that and pretending I was actually doing something other than hanging on for dear life.
So although this might not sound appealing, I really did have fun, laughing with the group and cheering others on. I would definitely recommend giving it a try at least! You might be surprised and find a new hobby!

The best circus school in Boston! They have classes and workshops and all of them are fantastic. If you have previous training on specific apparatus, you can skip to a more advanced level after approval from the staff. They are very reaponsive to emails and questions. Classes are kept small enough for you to get individual attention from the instructor and to get to know people who will inevitably turn into your best friends.

As an unconventional birthday outing, my friends and I took a private lesson with Jill yesterday and had so much fun! Jill is a fantastic teacher and put up with our nonstop photo taking throughout the entire 75-​minute session. We got a sampling of different aerial arts activities – bar, ribbons and hoops and we had the entire room to our group of nine, so it wasn’t the least bit overwhelming as a beginner. I’ll definitely be taking another class there soon!

I’ve been coming to AirCraft for almost a year now, and I absolutely love it. Such a challenging workout, especially for someone that never focused on upper body strength. I was looking to find an aerial yoga class in Boston, but came across AirCraft in my google searches. I tried a taster class, and enjoyed it so much that I joined a full session of their basics class. I had to take an unexpected break from a running induced stress fracture, so when I returned a few months later I was pretty nervous about my abilities and overall strength. I’ve found that both my fellow classmates and instructors are really encouraging, and it has become my favorite part of the week. I’ve mostly taken classes with Meghan (she only teaches Monday evenings as far as I know) who will whip your butt into shape while cracking you up. I’ve also taken a few classes with the owner, Jill, who is also so great; she makes it fun, funny, and really challenges you to do more than you think you can. I even scheduled a private group lesson for my girlfriends as a way to celebrate my birthday this past year, and they absolutely loved it. I would highly recommend that anyone who is curious give it a try!

I don’t recommend this place if you have some sort of aerial background or sports that require upper body strength (ie rock climbing).
The owner/​instructor, Jill, carry an attitude where she has the needs to feel superior to you. So, if your not a newbie… tough. 3 – 4 girls will be up on the silk… but the instructor doesn’t spot you… and if she thinks you «got it», she pretty much leaves you alone.
Also, the location of the studio is not convenient. The closest train station is Central where you need to take 2 buses to get to the studio… if your coming in from Boston, it will take you at least an hour by bus/​train plus delays.
Classes are expensive ($ 25/​class) and doesn’t have any flexibility in terms of time. Other then the taster course and private lesson, you must sign up for 8 weeks straight, if you miss a class, tough luck, no money back.
Equipments need clean up, the lyra and trapeze looks and smell very musty.
Reason I didn’t give 1 star is because if it were a different instructor the experience might be different. But, overall rating (location, cost, class flexibility) is not good.
There are other lyra and silk studios that are in much more commute friendly locations, cheaper classes and more flexible in terms of time… so why settled?
If you want to do Lyra or silk… try a couple of different studios before you make a decision.

Please note that: I have only taken their Taster class. I have a background in dance and had previously taken two taster-​type classes in silks and hoop, at another studio, before I moved to Boston.
That said, I would not recommend the Taster class if you have any previous experience with aerials or even just experience with dance/​gymnastics/​yoga/​etc. I took the class, hoping to learn a few things, and get a better sense of the studio before spending almost $ 200 on a class series. However, I think it would have been a lot better for me to just take a drop-​in class, which, turns out, are the same price as the taster class.
The taster class seems to be aimed at people who have never tried aerials, or anything related to aerials. I felt like much of the class was not really aimed at learning skills, but rather at posing and taking pretty pictures, and that was disappointing to me.
We also had a larger class (10 people), which was fine for silks because there were five available silks, and it’s actually nice to share with someone so you have time to rest a bit. You can also help each other out (and take pictures if you’re into that). However, for both trapeze and hoop, we worked one at a time on a single apparatus. This made some sense, since then the instructor could help and work with you one on one. But it also meant that we were sitting down, doing nothing, for a lot of the class time. There was other equipment available; it just wasn’t being used. A more efficient method might be to do the skills once with the instructor, and then take turns practicing them on a second trapeze/​hoop afterward. At the very least, we could have practiced more on silks or done conditioning.
The warm-​up seemed an appropriate length. The instructor was friendly and asked about previous and/​or recurrent injuries. Although she sort of tried to gauge level of expertise by asking what type of exercise people did, she got an answer from one person. There seemed to be a mix of levels at the class, but she didn’t try to adapt the class in any way. (Sometimes teachers will add more complex moves to challenge more advanced students, while spending more time on the basics for beginners).
In terms of skills: We learned a basic climb and double crochet into a sitting position and a flip (on silks). This was the most interesting and informative part of the class for me, and the flip proved to be very challenging. We then did some poses on silks. We were not taught basic foot locks (the normal way to do these poses), but instead stood on a knot tied by the instructor. For me, the poses were very, very basic. Having been taught the foot lock in previous basic taster-​type classes, it seemed very odd to me that they would choose to omit it.
In addition to silks, we did one simple pose each on trapeze and hoop, plus some spinning on the hoop. We ended about five minutes early because there was nothing the instructor felt she could teach us in five minutes. This time could have been used to talk about classes, or do a short demo. We did talk a little bit about classes, but only in response to a few students’ questions.
I’m hesitant to dismiss this studio completely because it’s a very nice space, and they have a lot of equipment. All the previous reviews have been positive. I may end up at least dropping in on one of the classes in the future. But my experience at the taster class was not encouraging.

Aircraft has become a second home to me over the past two years. They’ve changed my body for the better– i’ve never been in better shape in my life, (and this is coming from a past gym-​rat), I’ve made some of my best, most amazing friends from all sorts of places, taken classes with the most skilled, patient, hilarious, and caring instructors you can imagine, and found myself doing things I never imagined possible. I used to be terrified of heights and I find myself doing drops and rolls from the ceiling! But, most important to me is the sense of community Jill & the teachers have created in the studio with small classes & an encouraging, safe, empowering set of participants who clap and cheer for each other as we push past limits we never thought possible. You can’t help but leave feeling in awe of each other, and your own self, and more than enthused to come back again and do it all over. I’m inspired every day by each and every single person there in some way or another.

I’m now taking my third two-​month session of mixed aerials here, and I really enjoy coming here each time.
I came from a studio which focused only on silks, but I’ve discovered I also like the trapeze. The first time I mounted it, I giggled and the instructor, Jill, said that was the best reaction she’s ever gotten. I just love being up in the air and learning to do things that my body is not at all experienced with. As a kid, I loved being upside-​down, and it feels so good to return to that.
Meghan in particular is amazing. She really breaks every move down, and can talk you through when you’re having trouble getting it in the air. She’s super encouraging and sweet, and you can tell she’s really been there herself since she learned at Aircraft, too. When I get stuck on tricks, she is right there to help or offer tips on how I can work up to a move. Thanks for being awesome and encouraging me!
I’ve learned a lot on silks, lyra, trapeze, and sling. Classes usually begin with silks and then go to trapeze or sling, with the occasional bit of lyra.
If you’re new to aerials, or if you are still building strength to climb and do knee-​hooks etc, I really recommend starting with their Aerial Basics course.
After you get strength built, go on to their Level One Aerials class. Despite its name, don’t try to jump right into Level One before Basics — I made that mistake and had to switch back down when joining this studio.
Classes are meant to be taken for a few sessions while you get better and build strength, flexibility, and confidence. Some people may whiz above your level, but don’t let it get you down!
Even coming here only once a week, I’ve made a marked improvement in my strength and ability to do basic tricks.
I do try and strength train a bit on my own, to keep up and try and move myself along faster, since I really want to learn fancy drops and such soon. I’m sure that coming once a week will be enough challenge for some, though!
Parking on the street can be tough at times, with Artisans Asylum so close. However, there is a lot available! It’s one of the two chain-​linked fence lots, the one closer to the cross-​street which is usually semi-​full of cars. Don’t park in the other one, closer to Aircraft, or you may get towed (there is a sign). Once I finally discovered this, it made my life a lot easier!
They have taster classes if you want to try once and see if you are interested in aerials. No experience needed! I didn’t go to one since I had had a class elsewhere first, but I recommend it if you’re unsure.
Aircraft also offers flexibility classes and conditioning, if you are interested. I haven’t been yet,. so I can’t comment.
Happy flying!

I have been taking aerial classes at Aircraft for about a year, and it is my favorite thing I have ever done (and I’ve done a lot!). NOTHING takes priority over my aerial class, (seriously, just ask my husband). I look forward to it every single week. The instructors are fantastic, supportive, funny, positive, motivating, and excellent at explaining the various skills. I gained strength very quickly, even going just once a week, but the biggest benefit I have found is that my 75-​minute class is the ONLY time in my entire week that I can honestly say my mind is 100% in the present moment. When I’m at aerial practice I don’t think about anything else in my life except exactly what I’m doing. I’m concentrating, getting a workout and laughing so hard every single class. It is the best therapy out there, I swear. The groups in each class are small enough to get lots of individual attention from the instructors, so you learn something new every time, and we all support and encourage one another as we’re attempting new, challenging skills. I can’t say enough positive things about this place… you just HAVE to try it!

I simply love this place. I have learned so much, while getting in the best shape of my life. What can I say, I look forward to class every week. I only wish I could be there more often!
I am gaining flexibility, and real strength– but it is soooooo much fun, and now I have this incredible skill! It truly feels like a workout for my body and my mind. Plus, I have made new friends.
The teachers are super duper great! They keep us working hard, while being really encouraging and supportive. The classes are really small, and you get lots of attention! The space is open, and beautiful.
What can I say– I love it!
Come join the flying crew!

I cannot believe this place hasn’t been reviewed yet! It seems like the Unilocalers would be all over it!
So, while I’ve never been a fantastic athlete of any kind, I tend to love sports that involve some how throwing myself upside down and/​or in circles. I did gymnastic through middle school which lead to diving in high school and college and then post-​college I discovered pole. I love pole, however, it’s not something you can really show off to mom & dad or chat about at the dinner table, so, lately I’ve been thinking about other activities to add to my list. That started me thinking about aerial silks. Some googling and Unilocal searching turn up nothing (shame!) It wasn’t until I got a Somerville Scout magazine that I found an add for this place and was excited to finally try it out!
Anyway, I came for a «taster» class and I was hooked! Sadly, they didn’t have anything I could sign up for right away — which seemed weird since I assumed part of the whole purpose of «taster» classes is to get people to sign up for your weekly classes, but, if you don’t have weekly classes to offer for at least a month, that doesn’t seem like very effective marketing… but, whatever. I loved it so much I asked to be put on a waitlist in case anything did come up and I was in luck — someone quit the ongoing beginner class and I got to take the open spot. Yeah!
Beginner classes involve mainly aerial silks and static trapeze with occasionally lyra (hoop), and even more occasionally rope & sling. What I especially love about it is that even the simplest moves look totally badass. So, granted, I’ve only done a few classes so, i’ll probably have to update this review someday, but, so far I’m pretty excited about this discovery and, hopefully, I’ll be able to one day articulate why a horizontal pole (i’m looking at you trapeze) is somehow way more classy than a vertical one.