Installing Aerial Equipment at Home
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Time to read 4 min
Thinking about setting up a training space at home? This blog is for you!
We understand how tempting it can be to create your very own aerial world at home, especially if you have limited options when it comes to classes, maybe the cost is starting to pile up, or maybe you just want to get that extra practice in! While these are all valid points for wanting to set up at home, there are also some hidden costs and dangers with doing so. We are going to cover those below. While this is not a full guide, we hope it will give you the necessary knowledge to assess whether this is suitable for you, and how to go about doing this in the safest way possible.
Home Training vs Studio Training
As more and more people get into aerial and circus the more resources like books and instructional videos are appearing. While this can be beneficial as a training aid, it should not be a substitute for professional in person instruction.
So what exactly are the differences?
Training at a Studio
One of the major benefits of learning at a studio is safety. At a studio, there are countless safety precautions. A good studio will have proper rigging, that is inspected often and maintained properly, that can easily support your weight and the dynamic weight you create when moving on an apparatus. They will also have proper safety equipment like crashmats and harnesses to help avoid injury. Another important safety precaution is a spotter. Your teacher will spot you when you try new tricks and they will correct any issues they see. An incorrectly wrapped silk can end very badly. An experienced teacher is important for learning aerial.
Training at home
Practising the skills you learn in class and continuing your conditioning at home can be a great way to support your aerial progress. Home training can be a helpful supplement to your journey, but it should always be done alongside regular professional classes and instruction. We don’t recommend beginning your aerial training at home—this should only happen once an instructor has given you the go‑ahead or you’ve reached a safe foundational skill level.
For a deeper look into this, check out out this blog - Aerial – Practicing at home vs at a studio
Feeling confident in your skills? Read on!
If you’re confident in your fundamentals and want some extra conditioning or practice, we’ll walk you through the safest way to set up your aerial space at home.
How to Rig
Freestanding Rigs
Freestanding rigs are strong frames designed for aerial work, and are typically our go to recommendation for anyone looking to set up a space at home.
Rigs come in various shapes and sizes, and are usually quad or tripod. They are easy to set up, and can typically be used indoor and outdoor (just check the specific recommendations).
Our prodigy rig for example, is a smaller rig idea for aerial yoga and lighter conditioning work on other apparatus.
Our Firetoys Big Rig is a larger model that can be set up outside (or inside if you have a big enough space) and can be used for more dynamic aerial work like drops and spins.
Check out the below blogs for guidance on how to attach to our rigs!
Rigging from a structure
Rigging from a structure typically means rigging from a beam or getting a permanent point installed in your house. There's a couple of ways you can go about this but step 1 is always to contact a structural engineer to assess the building and determine if what you are rigging from can support the load.
Beams - With a steel beam, you maybe be able to work out if it is strong enough before calling in riggers. A steel joist has defined and consistent load values which can be looked up online based on the measurements.
With timber, there are lots of variations and these make a massive difference when it comes to rigging. Timber beams can never have a guaranteed WLL or BLL attributed to them as there are natural differences in the material, but a structural engineer can assess a timber beam and report on its usability.
The next thing you will need to know is how to attach it to the beam. If you have access to the top of the beam, you may be able to choke a strop around it. If not, the best thing to do would be to consult with someone qualified and experienced with rigging for circus to professionally install points for you to attach to that won't take away from the overall strength of the beam.
Eye Bolts - This is a metal bolt that is sunk into concrete either in a ceiling or floor. Then it's either mechanically or chemically bonded to that surface. Very strong, and very secure, but definitely one for professionals to install. Don't be tempted to use cheap ceiling hooks which screw into the bottom of a beam or ceiling. These are not rated for human loads and are not suitable hardware to install for this purpose.
Maintenance & Inspection
If you own your own equipment, it’s important to carry out regular checks to ensure everything remains in safe working condition. For metal components, look for signs of wear—particularly at connection points where rigging meets other hardware. As a general guideline, visible wear of around 10% is an indication that the equipment should be retired.
For silks and hammocks, inspect the fabric frequently for holes, ladders, or any areas of thinning.
Keeping a log of how often your apparatus is used is a helpful way to track its lifespan. Be sure to replace any equipment once it reaches the recommended usage threshold outlined in its safety documentation
Always ensure that your rigging and equipment are purchased from trusted, reputable suppliers, and that all hardware is appropriately rated for aerial use. We strongly advise against buying equipment from general retailers such as Amazon or hardware stores, as these products are unlikely to meet the safety standards required for aerial work.
Make sure you have a high‑quality crash mat beneath any rigging point. For most setups, we recommend using a mat that is at least 20 cm deep to provide adequate protection.
We've teamed up with the team at Circus Rigging to bring you some easy to follow video guides.
