Aerial Hoop & Trapeze

Aerial hoop and trapeze are circus disciplines where you perform poses, balances and spins on equipment suspended in the air. The aerial hoop, or lyra, is a steel ring. The static trapeze is a bar hung from two ropes that stays put instead of swinging. Together they mix strength, flexibility and a healthy dose of showing off.

The aerial hoop is a metal ring hung from one or two points. You sit in it, hang beneath it and drape yourself along its curve. Rig it to spin and even a basic shape looks dramatic.

The static trapeze is a horizontal bar with a rope at each end. Unlike its high-flying cousin, the flying trapeze, it stays still, so you can use the bar and ropes together to sit, stand, hang and balance.

Plenty of moves cross over. The hock hang, where you dangle upside down by the backs of your knees, is a classic beginner move on both. Blood rushing to your head is all part of the experience.

Your Activity Leader starts you low, with the equipment not far above a crash mat. First you learn to get on and off safely, which aerialists call mounting and dismounting. Then it's into balances and poses, like a seated position in the hoop or the classic man in the moon, where you lean back along the curve of the ring. Once you're comfortable, you link moves into sequences and add gentle spins. Photo-worthy moments incoming. Graceful ones may take a little longer.

That's exactly where everyone starts. You don't need a gymnastics background or huge arms, as good technique does much of the heavy lifting. You do need to support your own body weight and be up for going upside down. Expect to discover muscles you didn't know existed, and to feel quietly smug about it the next day.

Leggings or jogging bottoms, no exceptions. Bare legs rub and burn on the hoop, bar and ropes, especially during knee hangs. Go for a fitted top that won't end up over your face when you invert. Take off jewellery and watches, and tie back long hair.

You might also like Aerial Silks & Slings, Flying Trapeze and Aerial Yoga.

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