Why Don’t You… Take A Trapeze Class

One of the more exotic hobbies in St Albans right now, St Albans Trapeze and Aerial Arts offer classes in a few different disciplines – static trapeze, silks, aerial sling and aerial hoop.  You can expect a full body workout and you can try to look graceful, but you will have fun.

I made some new year’s resolutions.  I’m going to get fit.  And I’m going to try at least one new activity every month. And I may have said something about drinking less, being kinder, reading more books, paying less attention to my phone and getting more sleep – but 6 weeks into 2025 I’m just focusing on the first two – one can be too righteous after all.

So definitely ticking the first two boxes, an activity that is both new and will help get me fitter… a trapeze and silks class.

What the what?

Static trapeze – a bar hanging from the ceiling, which you generally climb onto, hang from and drape yourself over while pulling elegant (!?) poses.

Silks – two long pieces of material hanging from the ceiling which you climb up, tie yourself in knots with and glide to the floor again – while pulling more of those elegant poses.  At least that’s the aim.

So what does a typical session look like?

Ali from St Albans Trapeze and Aerial Arts, started with a safety briefing (mainly common sense – “listen to what I tell you” – stuff) and a decent warm up (we ran around the room and did some stretches) and then hit the trapeze approached the trapeze carefully.

We started with the basics – how to get up onto the bar! With that complete we went through some basic moves from sitting on the bar to hanging upside from your knees.  Each time Ali did a demo and then talked us through it when we had a go.  The talking is also supplemented by the occasional helping push or a steadying hand, all of which enabled me to hang upside down from my arms. hang upside down from my legs. And hung upside down from my ankles. I also sat on the bar, draped myself across the bar (“ straight arms and point your toes”).  I had now completed  moves such as a pike, a mermaid, a front balance and catchers. I was quite pleased with myself.

Sensing my growing (over) confidence and smugness Ali moved us onto silks, could lightning strike twice…?

I learnt two ways to climb the silks (clue: you don’t need to have strong arms to do this, you need to have strong legs, and be able to hold the silk between your feet). I learnt how to look sophisticated and elegant when 4 feet off the ground – I learnt in principal, but sadly unable to execute on sophistication and elegance - and importantly I learnt how to descend. Slowly. Without crashing to the floor…

These transitions were the Russian climb, the French climb, the footlock and the gazelle

And How Was It?

Surprisingly good! A good workout combined with a real sense of achievement when I completed individual moves. There are elements of mindfulness as you focus on where to put your hand or how to position your legs, along with large slices of fun a sort of Twister / kid hanging upside down from the school playground combination.

It definitely ticked the try something new box too.  Ali is a great instructor so you feel like you’re making good progress quickly, but its definitely going to take a whole lot longer to master.  And look elegant and sophisticated.

Final thoughts

If you enjoy hobbies or activities that combine physicality with creativity, this might be your perfect match.  You don’t need to be super flexible or strong to get started—the classes are tailored to suit all skill levels, and the supportive environment encourages progress at your own pace. And it isn’t just about the physical challenge; it’s a mental one, too. It’s about trusting yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, and finding joy in the unexpected.

The Facts:

• St Albans Trapeze and Aerial Arts run classes through out the week in St Albans and Harpenden for adults and children

• You can specialise in Silks, static trapeze, aerial hammock or hoop and there are classes for all abilities from absolute beginner to big top performer.

• Whilst I got to try both silks and the static trapeze at the same time, normally it's one discipline per session, so check the timetable and decide which one you want to try first.

• Prices -  6 classes for £90, 10 for £135 but take a trial session for £9 to see if it’s your thing (it is your thing!)