I want to join the circus. But I cannot make that kind of a commitment right now. And I haven't…read morebeen training since I was six. This is my answer!!! Aerial silks the name and lookin badass is the game (you know, those two long pieces of fabric that hot siberian circus chicks wrap themselves up in at ridiculous heights off the ground). An alternative fitness class that teaches all levels at the same time and as you improve, they show you more moves. Pretty wonderful in my book. In my first class I sucked at climbing the silks so bad, but then they showed us some other beginner moves that didn't require climbing and I nailed them and felt like I accomplished something despite the aforementioned sucking. I've researched other places that teach circus skill type classes in london and you have to usually sign up for several week courses (before you even know if you like it or not) and you can't just drop into a class any time during the course. With this place you can pay for one class or sign up for a chunk of them to get a discounted rate once you know for sure you like it. And the founders are super nice and supportive and always there to greet us. They just wanted to create a space like they used to have back in Argentina. At the moment they have two evening classes every Tuesday and are looking to introduce more circus style performance skills like tightrope and tumbling etc.

I went to a aerial hoop class in Farringdon and really enjoyed it. I do the flying trapeze and…read morewanted to try out another aerial art. I was really impressed by the amount of things we learned, in the two hours the instructor, who was friendly and helpful, showed us three different ways to get into the hoop and three different positions. It was great fun and a proper workout. I wasn't a big fan of the location inside gymbox, the Battersea place seems to be a lot nicer and more spacious.

In attempting to fulfil my dream of being a circus performer, I went to Hoops and Silks last night…read moreat Aerialand. As I have never done anything like this before, I opted for hoops as it was supposedly better for a beginner. The class had 5 people in it a mix of advanced, intermediate and first timers, thank goodness there was another person who had never done it! This is not an easy workout, you are using all upper body strength and core to pull the rest of you into the hoop. The teachers were so nice and very helpful, but at the end of the class youre the one getting up there. You then go through a series of moves and at the end finish it in the full combination and they take pictures! Which was a really nice touch. You finish with some deep stretches with a partner which felt amazing. As I right this the next day, I cant move my arms higher than my keyboard and am using two hand to pick up a cup of coffee, but that just is a tribute to a fantastic and different way of working out. But also goes to show what incredible strength acrobatics takes. Aerialand is located in a school not far from Ravenscourt Park, a little hard to find but look for the signs inside the building.

Aerial Circus Kids Club- aerial silks, trapeze, aerial hoop. Friday after school and Sundays…read more Wonderful instruction- positive, expert, fun, attentive. Diego was a professional circus performer. The kids love him! Acro-yoga- also fantastic!! Who knew I could do those things? Even my husband was impressed! Again: fun. Pure fun. Oh. Was I getting fit at the same time? Aerialand is tucked away -- a year-old real gem that is soon-to-be-discovered. I almost don't want to tell you about this place, keep it all to myself. Valentina, the owner, is amazing, full of energy, pizazz, and creativity. The student performances she coordinates are terrific. Oh, and I forgot to mention the hula hooping, pole dancing, burlesque, rope, anti-gravity yoga, and aerial silks classes? I love Aerialand!