How do you know if an aerial studio is safe and respectable?

2/22/2024 | Heidi

Category: Circus

Thrive blog

How do you know the aerial studio you are interested in training in is legit?

Ask questions!

Rigging this is an important question!

Who does the rigging? How often is it inspected? Where are the rigging components (hardware like carabiners, swivels etc + aerial equipment like lyras) from?

Was an engineer involved? What are your working load limits?

If the studio you’re considering does not know or have answers to any of these questions, it is reason for concern. Every studio should have an aerial rigger involved in their process somewhere. An “aerial rigger” or “rigger with aerial rigging knowledge,” as there is no certification for aerial/acrobatic/stunt rigging, is someone who is certified in theater/electric/arena rigging AND has interned or studied with a circus rigger. An arena rigger who puts together trusses all day might be a certified rigger, but won’t have knowledge about suspending a human.

Most small studios won’t have an in-house rigger, but should still have a relationship with one and have consulted them at some point. At my studio Thrive, we bring a rigger in at least once a year to do a detailed inspection. I continue with periodic inspections throughout the year and keep rigging logs to ensure equipment meets safety standards. The general consensus is that rigging components should be US made and/or be equipment with a good track record and lots of info/stats about their gear. 

Places like amazon should NOT be a supplier because they cannot guarantee the source of the item. There are many US based suppliers of equipment- many provide rigging for rock climbing and industrial rigging. Beware of the red flags - no engineer, “my cousin is a contractor and installed it all. He says it’s fine” “Fine” isn’t enough when safety is involved!

But wait - rigging is just the beginning!

When it comes to coaching, you must understand that there is NO aerial teaching certification. If your potential studio states they’re teachers are certified, this could be a red flag. They may be mis-using the word “certification” and you might need to do some further research. Having completed teacher trainings can show a commitment to learning the craft of coaching. As there is no overseeing body regulating aerial teacher training, it can get very tricky in discerning how knowledgeable your coach is. Have they been training for 5 years or more? Did they take class in-person or only self study? Look for aerial coaches who have been in circus for an extended period of time. They are often connected to the long lineage of circus performers, teachers and thinkers. Ask about your studio’s curriculum.  Does it include injury prevention? Skill progressions, bio-mechanics? Coaches have varying philosophies and approaches to spotting- some believing that they should not have to spot very much and will work on progressions until the student can accomplish the skill alone; while others will spot more heavily until the skill is achieved. Regardless, the coach should understand how to keep you (head and neck being the priority) and themselves safe.

Does your studio use mats? A yoga mat is not sufficient unless you are doing yoga. Some professionals perform without a mat, but students should not. Sometimes things don’t go as expected and a hard floor isn’t a great surprise. Crash mats, or mats at least 6’ thick should be used under all equipment.

I am not a rigger, nor do I carry any certifications in aerial safety. These are suggestions about how to frame your own thoughts so that you can ask the right questions and make your own decisions and keep yourself safe.

Thanks so much to Becca DeAngelis for providing input! 

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