Circus Training at Home
By Leigh Fisher, adapted from Simply Circus
So, you’ve been bitten by the circus bug and want to keep training even when the studio is closed? Maybe you live far away or have a hectic schedule, making it hard to commit to a class? Maybe you just think a trapeze would make a fine addition to your dining room? Whatever your reason, we compiled this list of home rigging FAQs and options so you can make a choice that is right for you or your circus-obsessed kiddo!
Many students (grown-ups and kids alike) fall in love with the circus arts and want to set up a home aerial space after only a few classes, and we get it! But there are a few factors to consider if you or your child is ready for the responsibility of training at home.
Is the student ready to train without a coach present?
Some signs the student might be ready to train aerials at home include:
The student has been studying a specific aerial discipline under the guidance of a qualified coach for over a year.
A qualified coach has cleared the student to attend intermediate+ classes.
The student has been cleared for open practice time and has the ability to train without help or reminders.
The student is called upon by coaches to assist with other students or to demonstrate proper technique.
The student is aware of their own limitations and will rest/opt out of skills they are not ready for without being asked.
The student can self-regulate and will not attempt to train when home alone. (NEVER EVER EVER train alone).
A full in-home aerial setup might NOT be the best option for a student right now if:
The student has been training for less than one year.
The student needs a spot or consistent verbal reminders to execute most skills.
The student needs a lot of teacher motivation to work effectively.
The student has trouble following safety guidelines (or ignores them).
The student lacks the maturity needed to stay off the equipment when home alone (NEVER EVER EVER train alone).
Do you have space in your home to train aerials and store the necessary equipment?
Space: The minimum height you need for a point that can accommodate fabrics is 16 feet. The minimum height you need for most other aerials is 14 feet. You need a MINIMUM of at least 6 unobstructed feet in every direction from the aerial point (full 360 degrees). You need to be able to place a crash mat under your rigging point AND be able to store the mat, plan on a space capable of storing 5'x10'x1.'
Installing a point vs a portable aerial rig: There are 2 options for a full-scale in-home aerial setup. Purchasing a free-standing portable aerial rig or having an aerial point installed in your home. Installing an aerial point in your home is the most expensive and time-consuming option, and many people find the requirements to be cost-prohibitive.
Building Structure for an installed point: Does your home have the strength for an aerial point? Aerial arts can generate high shock loads, even on relatively small skills. You also need to think about protecting the rest of your house from the forces involved. When installing an aerial point, you want to use the following specifications:
Aerial points should be rated for a 2,000lbs WLL @ 4:1 DF for a single point, exclusive of other loads in the support path.
It is not acceptable to count this as part of the existing live load, nor is it acceptable to use snow load capacity. In any home built using 2x4 construction, this generally means a major construction project. Many homes will not be able to support an installed point. Consult with a structural engineer and a professional rigger before beginning any installation project. Plan a MINIMUM budget of $15,000 to get the point up and running in the typical modern 2x4 construction residence.
Freestanding Aerial Rigs: If you rent your home or don’t want to risk damage/voiding your insurance, a free-standing portable rig is the way to go; however, there are still many factors to consider when deciding if this option is right for you. Cost-benefit analysis: A quality aerial rig will cost a minimum of $2500 for JUST the rig itself. You will also need to purchase your own hardware, apparatuses, and crash mats. Plan to budget at least $5000. While this is the more affordable option vs an installed aerial point, it is still a significant upfront cost.
Also consider:
Where will you set up your rig? If you have a large indoor space, the space requirements will be similar to those needed for an installed point. You will also need to consider other factors, such as learning the necessary maintenance, inspection, and repair protocols for all equipment and hardware, including crash mats.
You can also set up a rig outside, assuming you have a flat, level area large enough to accommodate your rig and can address the following concerns:
Do your local zoning laws allow you to have this kind of structure/use on the property?
Is there adequate access control? An aerial rig may be considered an “attractive nuance” along the same lines as a pool or trampoline. State or local laws may require you to secure access to your rig when unattended (e.g. 6-foot-tall fence with a locked gate).
Will you leave the rig up for periods of time, or take it down after each use?
How will you handle storms with the rig up? Lightening control?
Where will you store the rig when not in use?
If you do choose to purchase a rig, please note that not all portable rigs are created equal! We have used and recommend both the Ludwig Quad Rig and the Circus Gear rig. Make sure your home rig comes from a trusted manufacturer and meets the minimum safety requirements.
Whether you choose a free-standing rig or an installed point, there are other factors to consider as well.
Does your insurance (home, renters, liability) cover aerials?
Insurance: Homeowners insurance typically does NOT cover aerial arts. As a rule of thumb, if your policy prohibits
trampolines (and most do), they will not cover aerial arts. In many places, your homeowners’ insurance can be CANCELED for having an aerial point. Homeowners need to be aware that this can cause a mortgage to go into default. If you rent, having an aerial point can cause a property owner’s insurance policy to be CANCELED. This can lead to eviction and other legal action from the property owner. If you have renters’ insurance, having an aerial point can cause your renters’ insurance to be CANCELED.
If you own your home and can cover the required insurance, first determine if you can add the aerial point to your home policy. Some homeowners’ insurance companies will allow aerials as an addendum for additional fees, but be aware that they generally limit it to being used by the residents of the house ONLY.
You may also be able to purchase a separate liability policy for it. If you have a policy that specifically covers your aerial point, you can then notify your homeowners’ insurance of this, and they can exclude it from that policy.
Liability: Once you have the appropriate insurance, the liability of an aerial point for the residents of a dwelling is manageable. However, if you plan to teach or let others train on your equipment, consider:
If a guest gets hurt, who is going to pay for the injury?
What if your guest doesn’t have medical insurance and gets hurt?
What if your guest loses work because of an injury sustained on your home rig?
What if your rigging fails while being used by a guest?
What if your rigging point is used by an uninvited guest?
Do you have insurance for TEACHING aerial arts? If so, how does this affect your liability regarding the point?
Stay safe!
If you have gotten through all the above, the last and arguably most important issue you will need to deal with is ensuring the safety of the aerialists who use your point. Some questions to consider:
How do you ensure that no one in your home will train unsupervised? (NEVER EVER EVER train alone).
How will you deal with use issues that inevitably come up?
How are you going to deal with the ongoing maintenance of an aerial point or rig?
Who is qualified to do the needed inspections and repairs?
So by now your head is swimming with all these questions, and you've either opened a special savings account and started googling structural engineers, or you are feeling a little discouraged.
No stress! You don’t have to spend thousands or risk the anger of your HOA to add a little circus magic to your home.
You can work on quite a few conditioning drills at home with just a yoga mat and a pull-up bar. While these tools might not fulfill your lifelong dream of eating your dinner on a trapeze every night, getting in the habit of a regular dead hang, scap wrap, and tuck up sesh (or even GASP - actual pull-ups??) with a little yoga or Pilates sprinkled in can do wonders for your strength and stamina in the air.
At the end of the day, you are empowered to make the best choices for your home based on your unique situation. No matter what route you choose, have fun and remember:
Always use a mat.
Avoid learning new skills without a coach.
And never ever ever train alone!
