Try flying trapeze
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On a beginners' flying trapeze class you jump from a platform holding the bar, learn a simple trick and, at many schools, finish by being caught by an instructor on a second bar. Circus schools run one-off tasters for complete beginners, and the main thing they ask is that you can hold your own body weight for a short time.
DemandingUnder £100 / $130An afternoonIndoors or outWith othersUK and US
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What a first class is like
At Gorilla Circus in Regent's Park, London, students warm up, practise a simple trick on a low bar, then try it on the flying trapeze; near the end an instructor catches them on a separate swinging bar. Circus Academy New York's beginners' class starts with a session on the ground before you climb the ladder, with the last 30 minutes for catching.
The strength test is short but real. The National Centre for Circus Arts says you do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to hold your body weight for at least 20 seconds. The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) asks students to hang from straight arms for 15 seconds and to be fitted with a safety belt that sits between the hips and ribs.
Where to try it and the rules
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) | Rules the school gives |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Centre for Circus Arts, London | Try Fly taster on a petit volant (small rig), about two hours, harnessed throughout | £30, or £25 concession | Able to hold your body weight for at least 20 seconds |
| National Centre for Circus Arts, London | Flying Trapeze Level 1, a 10 or 11-week term | £259 (10 weeks) or £285 (11 weeks); concessions £220 and £242 | Support your own body weight for at least 20 seconds |
| Circus Center, San Francisco | All Levels Flying Trapeze; a flying trapeze class uses 2 class credits | New Student Intro Pack of 6 credits, $99 | Minimum age 7; harnesses take up to 250 lb (113 kg) and a 38 in (97 cm) waist |
| New England Center for Circus Arts, Brattleboro, Vermont | Indoor rig; drop-in classes for first-timers or weekly sessions of 5 to 11 weeks | Not listed on the programme page | Ages 7 and up; weight limit 215 lb (97.5 kg); hang from straight arms for 15 seconds |
| Circus Academy New York, Brooklyn | Indoor Beginner Flying Trapeze, two hours | $100 (sold out when checked) | All ages 6 and above |
NECCA asks for close-fitting, stretchy clothing that covers your knees and shoulders and says to avoid baggy trousers; Circus Center asks for workout trousers that cover the knees.
How to start
- Check you can hang from a bar with straight arms; schools ask for between 15 and 20 seconds.
- Read the school's weight, age and clothing rules before booking a taster class.
- Wear close-fitting clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, and arrive early to check in and warm up.
Where to go
- National Centre for Circus Arts: Try Fly taster (London) UK
- New England Center for Circus Arts: flying trapeze (Vermont) US
- Circus Center San Francisco: prices US
We opened these links on 13 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
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Questions people ask
Do you need to be strong to do flying trapeze?
You need some strength. The National Centre for Circus Arts says that if you can hold your body weight for at least 20 seconds you are ready, and NECCA asks for a 15-second straight-arm hang.
Is there a weight limit for flying trapeze?
Often, yes. NECCA has a weight limit of 215 lb (97.5 kg) for flying trapeze, and Circus Center's harnesses take up to 250 lb (113 kg) and a 38 in (97 cm) waist.
What should I wear to a trapeze class?
Close-fitting clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. NECCA suggests yoga-style trousers or tights and asks people to avoid baggy trousers.
How much is a flying trapeze taster class in London?
The National Centre for Circus Arts last listed its two-hour Try Fly taster at £30, or £25 concession.
Where this comes from: National Centre for Circus Arts, Try Fly; National Centre for Circus Arts, Flying Trapeze Level 1; New England Center for Circus Arts, Flying trapeze; Circus Center, Prices; Circus Center, FAQ; Cademy, Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School; CourseHorse, Indoor Beginner Flying Trapeze at Circus Academy New York. Opened 13 November 2026.
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