The Trapeze: Learning To Fly

Did you ever dream of being a trapeze artist or running off to join the circus? Do you remember the first time you witnessed a trapeze act and sat in awe of the amazing performers? You can experience the joy of flying for yourself just for fun at one of the many trapeze schools scattered around the world.

There are more than 50 trapeze schools and camps across the U.S. alone. They are designed with the recreational student in mind, with safety and fun as a top priority. Students practice with a full harness, ropes and nets to learn the techniques and develop their skills. Adults and children as young as 7 can try out this addictive, adrenaline pumping sport in a safe and encouraging environment.

Flying offers a fitness program that is challenging and exciting. A typical lesson will begin with floor exercises to stretch and prepare your muscles. You will then find yourself climbing the 30 ft ladder multiple times in a one-hour lesson, giving your thighs and calves a thorough workout. Rather than targeting certain specific muscles as you would in a gym, all of your muscles will be worked at once, in each fly. A trapeze workout will utilize and strengthen muscles you didn’t even realize you had, and you will have a blast doing it.

History of the Flying Trapeze

In 1859 a young Frenchman created the trapeze for his own entertainment. He was bored. He created a swing attached to two parallel ropes and hung it over a swimming pool, where he eventually became quite adept at performing tricks. He eventually took his act to the public in the Cirque D’Hiver. His name was Jules Leotard, and he also created his own sleek tight fitting costume, which bears his name to this day.

Lessons for the public were unheard of until the early 1980’s, when Club Med introduced it at their resorts. The sport has continued to gain popularity in the past few years, with a surge of interest after Sarah Jessica Parker’s character on Sex in the City went tried flying in a 2003 episode.