Aerial Breakdown: Which Apparatus Is Right for You?

Between Lyra, Silks, Trapeze, and Pole, there are endless ways to explore artistic movement in the air! 

If you’re just starting out with your aerial journey, it’s important to understand the differences between each apparatus so you can choose the one that works the best for you. Below, we’re diving into each one and highlighting what makes them unique, as well as similarities, so you can arrive to your first session ready to fly with confidence! 

The Breakdown: 

Pole

Generally stainless steel or chrome, poles are vertical apparatuses that can be used in a static position or while spinning. Pole dancers climb, spin, and combine skills and tricks to create combinations up to 15 feet in the air. Pole dancers can develop their own style of movement, from sensual and flowy to powerful and dynamic.

Aerial Silks

Also known as tissu or fabric, aerial silks are considered soft apparatuses, consisting of two long pieces of soft, flowing fabric suspended from a single point. Performers climb, wrap, drop, and contort their bodies in and around the silks, creating shapes and dramatic falls high above the ground. This discipline is celebrated for its elegance, strength, and fluidity.

Lyra

Lyra, or aerial hoop, is a circular steel apparatus (considered a hard bar) that hangs from a single or double point. Artists perform spins, poses, and acrobatic movements inside, around, and on top of the hoop. Routines can often range from slow, balletic motion to dynamic, rapid rotations. 

Trapeze

The trapeze, a mixture simultaneously hard and soft apparatus, is a horizontal bar suspended from two ropes. There are several types, but the most common are the static and dance trapeze (stationary or on a spinner) and the flying trapeze (which swings). Movement consists of balances, hangs, flips, and dramatic tricks on, above, and below the bar, often requiring significant power and timing. 

What makes them similar? 

All four apparatuses above are designed to allow performers to defy gravity and showcase acrobatics high above the ground. Each one requires similar core strength, flexibility, and coordination, as well as mastery of body control and spatial awareness. 

Every apparatus allows for an exploration of artistry and self expression as performers combine skills with musicality and unique personal style. Plus, all of them can be utilized in singular and group performances! 

So…what’s the difference?

Each apparatus comes with its own design that allows for a unique movement quality. 

While an apparatus like silks allows continuous vertical movement and dramatic drops, lyra focuses on circular movement and rotation, similarly to pole. Trapeze uniquely emphasizes swinging or static power moves on a bar.

Since every apparatus allows for varying types of movement, technique becomes an important distinction. Silks require wrapping and manipulating fabric for support, lyra involves gripping and maneuvering around a rigid circle, pole requires significant hand and leg grip while spinning on a vertical metal bar, and trapeze relies on handling a horizontal bar while sometimes swinging.

No matter which apparatus you choose, there are risk and safety considerations for each. Silks and pole often involve high climbs and drops, lyra routines can include spinning at speed, and trapeze acts may include swinging and flying through the air (in the case of flying trapeze).

Every aerial art shares a common foundation in strength and creativity, while allowing distinct and unique experiences from one to the other.
The possibilities are endless with aerial arts and pole dance! Come join us in Frederick, Maryland and find your favorite way to fly.