Swingers

Want to tone your core and increase your flexibility all while learning an art form reminiscent of Cirque de Soleil? Or if jumping off a high platform while holding on to a bar, performing a trick or two, and then either dropping down to a mat or net or letting go and getting caught by someone hanging from another bar is your thing, you may want to check out the hot new fitness trend, trapeze…which doesn’t resemble formal exercise whatsoever, yet is capable of getting you more fit than a gym. Two such places in Los Angeles are Hollywood Aerial Arts, near LAX, and Aerial Physique in Santa Monica. At HAA- the only aerial company of its kind in the country and considered one of the best- renowned magician and founder Ray Pierce opened his company in Hollywood in 2002 and later relocated to Inglewood on 2005. The multi-purpose training and production team specializes in aerial performance where students can swing year round on the outdoor flying trapeze, or head inside for aerial skills, hoops, tissu, tight wire walking and other adrenaline pumping feats. The highly trained staff references its collective background in the circus, pilates, stunt work and dance.

By the ocean, Aerial Physique also offers the art of aerial arts that not only improves their students outlook on life, but their physical ability as well. The objective here is to acquire the beautiful lines of a ballet dancer, and the ease of movement like a Pilates pro. Ex-dancers run the studio in a less circus-y environment but don’t let the serenity and beach locale fool you, these people are fierce. You may want to ditch your Soul Cycle class for this trend that has become tres fashionable…even the high-priest of heels, Christian Louboutin is equally enamored and loves flying so much, he had two practice bars installed in his Paris showroom and now has a dedicated studio for trapeze. Hopefully there are no stilettos in sight. www.hollywoodaerialarts.com  www.aerialphysique.com