Hmm, ok. But why should I come to them? Is there any benefit over classes?
There's LOADS of benefits to coming to open training! I know it can be a little daunting at first and you don't really know where to start (we'll cover that in a second), but coming in to do your own training is such a great way to see improvements in your journey.
Firstly, open training means you have to think a lot more about what you are doing, rather than just copying your instructor. This is great for improving your body awareness and understanding of moves/transitions. A of moves and transitions in pole and aerial have similar pathways, if you understand how these actually work, rather than just copying someone, it makes everything a lot easier going forward.
It's also a great way to revisit things. In class, you generally don't get to spend too much time on each thing you are learning.. maybe 10-15 minutes. Open sessions are brilliant for going back over things and spending as much time as you need to understand them and make sure you don't just get it 'by fluke'. Make sure you film yourself in class so you have videos to refer back to!
Another thing they are perfect for is if you have a photoshoot coming up. You need to turn up to your photoshoot as prepared as possible, so coming in to practice your set of moves will make you feel so much more ready, and hopefully less nervous on the day. Again, make sure you come in with ideas of some shapes you want to try for your photoshoot, if you have done them before with your instructor then even better!

So what do I do when I get there?
I'm going to throw a curve ball in here and suggest you start prepping for your session at home beforehand. Trust me, I have spent so many training sessions sitting and trying to figure out what to train, and I have found it so much easier if I have a clear idea in my head before going in. So maybe pick 2-3 moves or 1-2 combos and have that clear vision of how you are going to work on them to get the most out of your session. Having a back up option is also handy, as sometimes you might just not be feeling it (and that's ok), so have a bit of flow, or maybe some conditioning moves in the back of your head as a 'go to' if things don't go as you planned. You can search #poleconditioning or #ahconditioning on instagram for some conditioning inspo if you need some help!

When you get to the studio, you want to make sure you are warm before you start training, as there is no instructor led warm up in our open sessions. This doesn't have to be anything crazy, if you've been to a few classes then just copy and paste your instructors warm up from your class. Heading to youtube and following a 5-10 minute yoga flow is also another quick win. We just want to get your body warm and joints moving and try to minimise the risk of injury. Obviously if you are doing any move that requires one specific body part a lot more, then make sure you spend some extra time warming up that bit. A mixture of dynamic stretches and joint mobilisation are perfect!

Saving combos and moves on Insta can be a helpful way to train and give you something fun to work on, but be realistic. If you have only just learnt to go upside down, then saving complex movements upside down, using transitions and movements you haven't tried before, in a position you are not that confident in yet, probably isn't the best idea. The instructor taking the session has the right to tell you to stop if they think you are practising moves that are too advanced for you, or if they feel you are training in a way that may cause you injury. Sorry gang, but your safety has to come first in the studio, I don't care how good it will look on the Gram. On that note, I know it might seem like a good idea to spot each other if you have come in with your friend, but please don't do this. Unless you are a certified instructor yourself, then you are not insured to spot someone, and if they fall and injure themselves whilst you spot them, the studio (or you!) could be liable. If you are practising something that you need a spot in, please speak to the instructor taking the session who will be happy to jump in every now and then to help spot.

Finally, a quick cool down at the end of your session is a good way to minimise those DOMS the following day. Again, steal stretches that your instructors have used in classes, and if you have worked a specific part of your body a lot, make sure you focus there.

We have a tonne of open training sessions on over the 3 KPole studios (too may to write them all here), so have a look at the timetable and give one a go. We're always on hand to answer any questions you have if you want to drop us a message. Remember, we might be training different things to you, but your instructors are all just aerialists too at the end of the day, we all have the same struggles as you when it comes to solo training!

Happy Open Training Folks,
Kim xx