Body Talk fitness review: I survived an aerial chains workout with no experience

When a broken toilet at my pole studio, Mad Collection, sent me on a frantic hunt for a usable one at its aerial studio on the 13th floor, the last thing I expected was to walk away inspired to take up a new workout in 2026.

An aerial class was in session, but instead of silks or hammocks, students were suspended from metal chains, contorting their bodies to a moody soundtrack. They looked like acrobats from Cirque du Soleil – and I was so intrigued I almost forgot why I’d gone upstairs in the first place.

Which explains why, a few weeks later, I found myself hanging upside down with only two chains bearing my body weight, looking like an extra in a low-budget CIA thriller. 

What are aerial chains?

Aerial workouts are not uncommon in Singapore, but chains are a different beast altogether. 

More technically demanding than silks or hammocks, they require greater strength, precision and body awareness. For now, Mad Collection remains the only studio to offer aerial chains classes.

The class uses two loops of chain for a full-body, core-heavy workout that mixes strength, control and flexibility. You move through spins, shapes and fluid transitions, learning basics like wearing the chains backpack-style or locking a leg in for support.

There are leg-throughs, hangs and plenty of core engagement involved, but beginners ease in with simple wraps and spins before gradually building up to more complex sequences as confidence grows.

Long sleeves and long socks or leg warmers are strongly recommended – because trust me, you’ll need nerves of steel to withstand the sensation of metal chains digging into your skin.

My experience at Mad Collection

When I met my instructor, Alexa, I promptly rattled off a list of pre-requisites: a fear of inversions, a lack of solid upper-body strength, and a deep aversion to pain on my sensitive inner thighs. Other than that, I assured her, I did pole and yoga regularly.

The class began with around 20 minutes of full-body warm-ups to prep our muscles before we touched the chains. Alexa then eased me into basic movements to help me get comfortable using them as support – lifting my legs off the floor with the chains wrapped around my back, or settling into a simple lunge.

I came in with very little confidence about going upside down, but the solid weight of the chains actually made them easier to grip and lift, helping me build the momentum I needed to invert. 

With Alexa’s guidance, I soon found myself manoeuvring into various positions and backbends that stretched my body in ways I didn’t think were possible.

Is it beginner-friendly?

To be honest, it’s definitely not a beginner-friendly class. Having Alexa’s focused attention in this one-on-one session meant she could quickly correct and guide my poses. 

Left to my own devices, I might have caught a finger in the chains – or ended up tangled, with no idea how to get out. It was also deeply disorienting trying to navigate the chains while upside down, and Alexa swiftly called time when I told her I was about to puke on the floor nearly an hour into the session.

Some may also find the discomfort hard to tolerate. I was left with deep, angry bruises around my waist and thighs the next day, and even sitting down felt painful and uncomfortable. 

Alexa advises having at least a year of aerial experience (hammock or silks) before attempting chains – and from my own experience, you’ll also want to work on flexibility and body awareness before giving it a go.

Final words

I had plenty of fun with the workout, and the challenge of navigating the chains made it all the more satisfying. Discovering that I could manage inversions and tricks (even as a beginner with no prior experience) was an unexpected confidence boost – it even inspired me to sign up for a hammock trial class.

Honestly, just take my money already.

Visit Mad Collection’s website for more information.