Fabric Q&A

Q: How strong do I need to be to learn Aerial Fabric?
A: The short answer is: strength is needed, but not necessarily as much as you might think. If you can do a single pullup, and a couple of sit-ups, you have the strength required to start learning fabric.

Q: I've seen some fabric acts before. Some of those positions look like they hurt. Do they?
A: Some positions can be uncomfortable when you are first learning them. In particular, the basic foot-lock on the fabric compresses the foot in a way that you are probably not used to. This may be uncomfortable
for the first few weeks, but as the body gets accustomed to it, the discomfort goes away.

Q: What should i wear?
A: You want clothing that will allow free movement, but not have any free-flowing parts to get tangled in the fabric. Close-fitting exercise wear is best. Loose-fitting pants will tend to get in the way of basic
skills. Cotton/spandex blend leggings, such as yoga tights, are the best option. nylon/spandex blends are OK but provide less friction against the fabric, which will make some skills more difficult. Pants/leggings should cover the backs of the knees to prevent abrasion.

For the upper body, you want garments that protect the upper arms/underarms from abrasion. The fabrics feel smooth in your hand, but under tension they can be quite abrasive. Fabric burns are a common occurance when working on the fabric without adequate skin protection. Performers learn to live
with this, but there is no reason for beginning students to.

Q: What shouldn't i wear?
A: Any clothing that has any sort of plastic or metal accessories that could damage the fabric. Keychain holders, belt buckles, etc, all can get caught in the fabric and cause damage. Students should remove most
jewelry for the same reasons, as well as to avoid injury. Rings that are completely smooth can be OK but may be uncomfortable for your grip; others should be removed.