Playlists for Aerial Class: Conditioning

Music…it’s the heart of every good aerial class and show.  While it can be time-consuming to find just the right music for each class activity, I happen to make lots of them and am sharing my finds with you. 

Music is important to me because it influences mood.  I want my music to match the pace of the class activity, whether its warming up, practicing skills, improvising, conditioning, or cooling down.  Music is a big motivator!  The right tunes can help students to push through a challenging workout, or become more expressive.

Studies show that music, “can reduce the perception of effort significantly and increase endurance as much as 15%.” (American Council on Exercise).  That’s a huge number in the aerial arts!  Think of getting just one more pull-up out a workout, which can help overcome a strength plateau and advance in skill level.

For conditioning, I choose songs with a clear, easy-to-follow beat and an energizing tone.  Some songs are faster than others to accommodate different types of movement, and to keep it interesting.

Conditioning Playlist #1* (for adults)

Faster:    
    The Sun, Klingande Remix by Parov Stelar
    Lay It All On Me by Rudimental, feat. Ed Sheeran
    Memories by Romeofoxtrott
    Punga by Klingande
    Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

Slower (Stretching):
    Leave a Trace by CHVRCHES    
    1998 by Chet Faker
    Finally Moving by Pretty Lights

Instrumentals:
    Alphabets (Dakhimh Instrumental Remix) Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture
    Bohemian Forest by Panta du Prince
    Seventeen Years by Ratatat (short verbal intro in the beginning only)
    Loud Pipes by Ratatat
    Wildcat by Ratatat

Check back for future playlist posts.  Each with have a different theme or mood to use in class or inspiriting for new performances.  Enjoy!
 
*Disclaimer:  Please check every song for appropriateness for your studio/classes before playing them live (and get appropriate licensing).  It’s beyond our ability to check every song an artist has ever recorded or will record in the future, or to know what any one group of students/parents might find offensive.  We do not receive any commission for recommending these artists.

Reference:  Bryant, C., D. Green and S. Merrill.  ACE Group Fitness Instructor Manual:  A Guide for Fitness Professionals, 3rd Ed.  San Diego: American Council on Exercise, p. 287.

About the Author:  Julianna Hane traded life on a cotton farm to become a dancer and aerialist.  She is the author of the Aerial Teacher's Handbook and Director of Training for Born to Fly Productions.