Fresh New Fit: Static Trapeze Class at Twin Cities Trapeze Center

Ah, I'm so sorry I have been MIA! My computer was on its last leg, so I had to order a new one. The new one was a custom order with loads of memory, so it took a little while for it to arrive. But now I am back in action, and this Macbook is WAAAY faster; I love it!

Anyways, I have been meaning to write a post about the static trapeze class that Dustin and I took last Saturday. Remember last January, when Dustin and I tried our luck with aerial fitness at the Stomping Ground?   (Check out that post HERE)

Even though Dustin wasn’t really onboard with the whole idea beforehand, he ended up really enjoying it (and being pretty good at it too!)

Since he had a good experience last time, he was a little more open to try another circus type class. I purchased two Living Social deals for a “Static Trapeze” class at Twin Cities Trapeze.

  

We signed for the Saturday class, which was an hour long. They only allow for 4 people in each class, so you do have to plan ahead a bit to reserve an open spot.

The studio is in St. Paul in one of the old Hamm’s Brewery buildings. 

When you enter the building, you can see that the flying trapeze is the focus of the space. There was a flying trapeze class going on right when we arrived, and it really looked like fun!

But the trapeze isn't the only thing they do here. In fact, they offer all kinds of classes- Hoola Hoop classes, Flying Trapeze, Yoga, Zumba, “Flirty Fitness”, Barre, and Acro /Gymnastics

The living social deal was only for one Static Trapeze class, which is described on their website as follows:

Lower and steadier than the Flying Trapeze; as the name suggests, the Static Trapeze stays put as the performer executes positions, tricks, and transitions on, over, under and around the bar! Classes begin with a warm-up and focus on skills and choreography before concluding with conditioning. Classes are 60 minutes in length and have a maximum of 4 students per class.

In our class on Saturday, there were three beginner students (Dustin, me, and one other girl) and then another student who had been taking lessons for quite a while. She was quite advanced compared to the rest of us.

The class started with some stretching. The instructor warned us that we would be sore the next day – “from using muscles we normally don’t use!”

After some stretching, the instructor moved right into the moves on the trapeze.

We started with the basic lift onto the trapeze to knee hang. We practiced letting go from the knee hang “with style” of course.

The next move was the bird’s nest, where we hooked our feet and legs on the trapeze ropes and hung upside down. This one felt really good- it really stretched your back out!

After we had all mastered the bird’s nest, we moved on to moves on top of the trapeze. First we just a basic lean-back, and then the "mermaid."

This mermaid move was a bit more of a challenge for me. I got a little fearful of letting go with one hand and really rolling to my side hip. Eventually I was able to do it, but it took some work.

Now, for the "big" move: standing on the trapeze. The instructor walked us through the different steps to get into the standing position. 

From the stand, we also learned “star” where you pop both feet onto the ropes and then push out in a star position. The first few times we did this move, the trapeze was moved closer to the ground so we’d feel more comfortable. But by the end, she moved the trapeze back up again.

Towards the end of the class, we all had the opportunity to go through our whole “routine” as a bit of performance. She even played some tunes for us as we "performed"- so fun!

Remember how I said she warned us that we would be sore? I didn’t feel so bad right away after the class, but throughout that night and into the next day, I was really sore in my upper body… Dustin was really sore too, even though he is more accustomed to this sort of thing with all of his rock climbing.

The static trapeze was somewhat similar to the lyre class we took in the Aerial Fitness class at the Stomping Grounds.  I would recommend a static trapeze class at the Twin Cities Trapeze Center. The facility was nice, and the instructors were really helpful.

At our class, there was also a more experienced student working through her routine. It was fun to watch all the other stuff she had learned. She said she had only been taking lessons for a few months, but she was really good (being extremely flexible probably helped too!)

I have a greater appreciation for the Cirque du Soleil trapeze artists, as it is definitely NOT easy!

From the FAQ’s on the website:

What do I wear?  Anything comfortable which allows easy movement.  Yoga/sweat pants and a T-shirt are good choices.  They recommend wearing something that covers your knees.  Long hair should be tied back.

Where are you located? They are at 719 Minnehaha Ave E in St. Paul.  Also known as building 45 of the Hamm’s Brewery.  They are the in the far Northwest corner of the old brewery campus.  

Is there an age limit? They have taught students from ages 3 to 73.

I would also suggest that you bring  a camera to take pictures! I had a lot of fun with this fresh new fit.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

Fresh New Fit: Aerial Fitness Part 2

Two weeks ago, Dustin and I took our first Aerial Fitness class at the Stomping Ground in Minneapolis (read all about our first class HERE). We took it as part of a Groupon that I had purchased, which included two classes. This past Wednesday, we took our second class.

The last time we took the class, we focused primarily on the lyra (the big metal hoop), whereas this time we spent the whole hour working on skills on the "tissu" or long fabric.

Of course, we warmed up first with some stretching, and then we began with the "climb" on the tissu, which was the only skill we had time for at the last class. The simple climb was pretty challenging for me at the last class, but this time around, I wasn't so worn out from the lyra. I was able to climb to the top, and then loosen my grip and slide down the fabric.

After we worked on the climb, we learned how to do a foot lock, where you wrap the tissue around your ankle/foot in a very secure way, so that when you stand up and put your weight on your foot lock, you are pretty comfortable and supported.

Once we mastered the foot lock, the instructor was able to teach us several new moves.

I think this one was called the "arabesque"? Don't quote me on that. You can see how Dustin's foot is secured in a wrap, or "foot lock."

We then went upside-down on the tissu (though we were all very close to the ground) by starting with our knee supporting the tissue, and then letting go and hanging upside down. Below is a picture of me getting into the upside-down position, and then fully in the "upside down."

I don't remember the name of this move. We did the foot lock wrap, then tucked our knee up high to brace against the tissu, let our bodies flip horizontally, and then let go with the upper hand. 

It seemed as though there were a lot of cool moves to learn on the tissu, though I think I found the lyra more physically challenging. I was sore after the class that focused on the lyra, but not as sore after this week's class. However, I was happy to get a a taste of both aspects of aerial fitness.

Most aerial students sign up for an eight-week session, where all the student progress together. However, the Groupon was only good for "Aerial 1" or a very basic drop-in class. The drop-in classes do fill pretty quickly, due to the popularity of the Groupon deal. You can always plan ahead to try a drop-in class, and then decide if its something you'd like, then you can sign up for a longer term commitment, via the eight-week program.

Dustin and I really enjoyed our little dabble into aerial fitness. Even though neither of us is exceptionally graceful or flexible, we were still able to follow along and learn some basic moves. It was a really fun experience. The instructor was really friendly and accommodating, and she helped each person figure out how to do the moves.

 If you're looking for a fresh, new fit to do something outside your comfort zone, check out an aerial fitness class! I guarantee you'll have a good time and learn something new.

Weekly Recap: Just trying to stay warm...

By Jess in Minneapolis

I haven't had much to post about lately, as I feel as though we are just trying to survive here in Minneapolis. The cold weather has been worse than ever, and I think a lot of people are hibernating to an extent. I'm really hoping the meteorologists are right and that a "heat wave" is on its way this weekend (30+ degrees!) 

What happened in fitness last week?
I still managed to get in some exercise despite the crazy cold weather. Here's a recap of how the week turned out in fitness:

Monday: Run on treadmill, 7 miles
Tuesday: Hour long barre class at Haute Barre, run on treadmill, 6 miles
Wednesday: New Year's Day run- brrrr! About 8ish miles
Thursday: Swam laps in the AM, then Aerial Circus Fitness class in the PM
Friday: Complete rest.
Saturday: 12 miles outside...tough going in the snow
Sunday: Boxing at TITLE boxing

I only ran four days (about 32 miles), had one complete rest day, one swim, one barre class, and one boxing class.

What's happening in fitness fashion?
Athleta just came out with some really fun new prints! I'm loving their new Chatarunga tights, aren't you?

source

They are $69, and oh, so adorable!

source

What's happening in Fashion?
Tom's suede lace-up wedges have been around for a little while, but I only just recently purchased a pair. Let me tell you, they are SO comfortable. I mean, they aren't a slipper, but they are the closest thing to it in a wedge! They are by far the most comfortable wedges I have ever worn. Favorite Fit for sure! I have paired them with skinny jeans, skirts, and dresses, and I'm really loving them. At only $89, they really aren't too expensive either.

Well, that's all for now. I hope you are surviving this arctic spell that has hit the nation.

How are you staying active in the cold? Please share!

Fresh New Fit: Aerial Fitness at the Stomping Ground

By Jess in Minneapolis

Have you ever been to a Cirque du Soleil show? I have seen a few of them: a traveling show in Minneapolis, and a couple different ones in Las Vegas. I was always impressed by the aerial performers. I knew that the moves they were doing just had to be challenging, but I had no idea just how challenging.

Let’s just say that I will have a greater appreciation for those performers the next time I see Cirque du Soleil, because last Thursday night, I actually tried to do some of those moves myself!

I purchased a Groupon for two aerial fitness classes at The Stomping Ground. 

None of my girlfriends seemed all that interested in joining, so lucky Dustin was “coerced” into joining me. 

I bought him the same Groupon (2 classes for $25, a $50 value) He grumbled quite a bit as the class approached..."Why do I let you convince me to do these things?"  He grumbled all the way downtown to the lofted studio where the class was held.  I told him to just try the one class, and if he really hated it, he wouldn’t have to use the second class that was part of the Groupon. He agreed. What a sport.

We arrived at the studio a little late, and waited outside in the below 0 temperatures, calling the numbers listed on the door to get access (be sure to have your phone handy if you go here!) No one was picking up the phone, and I was getting a little worried, and a lot cold. Fortunately, someone who lived in the building arrived and let us in. (Apparently, he was one of the instructors who lived there)

We quickly ran up the stairs, threw off our coats and shoes, and joined the two other girls in the class on the stretching mats. (There were only four of us total in the class)

We spent the first 15 minutes stretching, and I started to look around and wonder what we were in for... The space was full of character- exposed brick and dimmed lighting. 

There were two "lyra", or large metal hoops hanging from the ceiling with thick mats underneath, and then three "tissu" ropes hanging on the other side of the room. Tissu is the French word for the material used for these "ropes". It’s not silk- the instructor explained that silk wouldn’t work as it has no “grip:. You would slide right off of silk!  I’m not sure exactly what tissu is, but it felt like a heavy but smooth material with some “give,” like spandex.

There were mirrors on two sides of the space, and then curtains on the other sides, blocking off what appeared to be living quarters for some of the instructors.

We finished stretching, and the instructor told us we'd start the evening’s class on the lyra. Fun!

She had us test the lyra to get a feel for how heavy they were, and then we did a few little exercises with it to warm up our upper body.

Our instructor for the night was a very slim woman, probably in her mid-20s. She said she had been practicing aerial performance for about three years, and she was really quite good at it. She would demonstrate each move for us, and she made it look so easy and graceful...and then one of us would give it a try, and it would be way harder than expected!

First, we learned how to swing our legs up over our heads into an upside down “pike” position. 

From there we would swing our legs up over the lyra until we were hanging from our knees. 

Then, with one big core lift, we’d swing up to sitting position inside the circle of the lyra. Once in the sitting position, we tried balancing, by letting go of first one, then two hands.

The biggest challenge for me was just swinging my feet over my head into the pike! I just did not have the core strength to do it, and I always needed assistance. However, Dustin, who apparently may have a future in the circus, had no problems at all getting into the pike position! The biggest challenge for him was pointing his toes and trying to be graceful, ha! But seriously, he must have a much stronger core than me, even though I am the one who does all this yoga and barre. What the heck? All he really does for strength is rock climbing, but apparently, that is enough, because he was able to do nearly every move she demonstrated, and I was the one who struggled!

The instructor showed us a few other moves, like turning to the side, lying prone with our legs on one side of the lyra, and our upper body on the other. Then we’d lean way back and let go, holding on with just our legs. Crazy, but so fun!

By the end of our lyra work, I could tell my muscles were going to be sore the next day. Every time we tried a move, I would definitely feel like I was working, and there was some sweat dripping! It was an interesting type of workout, but I love switching it up like this (and I’m really grateful Dustin joined me!)

We spent nearly the whole class on the lyra, with only 10 minutes or so to try the tissu. I didn’t really mind though, as the lyra was really fun and challenging.

With the tissu, we only had time for some quick instruction on  climbing. You would wrap the tissu around one leg, and then sort of “stand” on the wrapped foot, as you pulled yourself up the rope to the top, rewrapping your foot as you went. Again, Dustin zipped right up to the top. I think SOME of his circus prowess had to do with upper body though, not just core! I struggled to climb at all! To be honest, by that point, my muscles were pretty tired, and I was ready to head to Black Sheep for some post-circus pizza and a Surly beer....!

Dustin climbing the tissu

When the class ended, I had a feeling Dustin had actually enjoyed it, even after all his complaining.   And I was right- he was willing to admit that he did enjoy himself after all. He will be joining me next week for our second session. Can I say, I told you so?

I won’t be quitting my day job yet to join the circus, but the class was more fun than I expected, and definitely more fun than DUSTIN expected.  I highly suggest that you give it a try, I think you’ll have a good time.

The Stomping Ground is located in the Coldside Building, at 110 North 3^rd St downtown Minneapolis.

From their website, “we support the performance arts community of acrobatics, aerialists, dancers, fire dancers, object manipulators, etc., by offering an inspirational environment where trying new things and refining your talents is strongly encouraged through weekly classes and open gym/skill shares. The Stomping Ground has 600 sq. ft. of hardwood floors and 13 ft. high ceilings with mirrors lining 20 ft. x 8 ft. of walls. We have 4 aerial rig points with 3 tissu, 2 lyras, a sling, 2 poles and a plethora of object manipulation props. An audio jack hook up is available to plug into the sound system and purified drinking water for hydration.”

"The Right Fit" for Aerial Fitness:

The website instructed us to wear fitted tops, with yoga pants or footless leggings. Dustin joked that he doesn't exactly have those in his wardrobe… Most of his running pants have zippers at the bottom, which were not allowed as they could tear the equipment.  He went with some longer athletic shorts and a t-shirt, but he had to keep tucking his shirt into his shorts lest it drape over his head when he went upside down (which we did a lot!) and the teacher gave him a bit of hard time for wearing shorts. For the next class, he will definitely wear pants. I just wore a pair of Athleta leggings and an Athleta tank. You could wear socks on the lyra, but not on the tissu.

What to Bring: I brought a water bottle, but that was it.

Who should try it? Anyone! Male or female. I’m sure it’s easier if you have some previous dance or gymnastics experience, but Dustin and I have neither, and we still managed to have a good time.