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Trapeze School New York
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
10 reviews for Trapeze School New York
I paid a bunch of money to embarrass myself and loved every minute of it.
We had a packed class (10 people) and I was still able to get up there for 4 tries.
Attempt 1: my adrenaline was pumping so hard I nearly climbed back down and went home. I Didn't, and ended up swinging off of the platform screaming like a little girl the whole time and when the instructor below yelled for me to get my legs up, I believe, with all the dignity in the world, I might have screamed "NO, no no!!!!!"
Attempt 2: see attempt 1, minus the screaming. The instructors are awesome...they're enthusiastic, supportive, and will tell you what you're doing wrong...and did.
Attempt 3: OK, remembered to actually look up at the bar this time in the attempt to get my legs up. Failed
After this, one of the people watching, (who has done this a bunch of times) told me that I was actually trying to do a pull up on the bar and to not. She gave me some other tidbits which might not make sense until you're actually up there.
Attempt 4: got my legs up on the bar. Yes, I was getting my ass kicked by children, teenagers, and my husband who didn't even want to come with me, but I got my legs up...and then got scared and screamed "NO" when I was told to let my arms drop.
You don't get to try a catch until you can do the basic swing; but it did look like a lot of fun and I signed up for a shot at redemption in a couple of weeks.
A few minor things: if you're one of these people who's always on time like me, it blows when you have to wait for people to roll on up late when you were ready to go at the specified class start time. So, be aware that they do give stragglers a few extra minutes.
Also, I don't have a fear of heights and I was still terrified-but, when you get up that impossibly high ladder-take a second and look at the view. it's worth it. And really, you will be fine. The instructors are awesome, very qualified to do what they do and the equipment looks very well maintained.
The bathrooms are on the pier; not inside the school.
She flies through the air with the greatest of ease, she's the daring young ME on the flying trapeze!
The instructors were awesome! Randy gave us some humorous tough love; you had to do it right or else he'd yell at you! But you wanted to do it right for him cuz he also showers you with praise. Elizabeth was great, she has such a calming and confident demeanor, which was much appreciated since she was the instructor at the top of the platform whom you trusted would make sure you didn't face plant right before the big leap. And Ryan, aside from looking good (oh ladies, you just don't know), made us look good as he called out instructions and guided us safely down to the net. They also gave us plenty of encouragement and tips to make sure we got the most out of our swings.
Everyone else pretty much covered what to expect when you take the class. As far as prices, it's good to know that there are different prices depending on what time of the day your class is. The morning weekday classes are $47, afteroon-evening weekday classes are $57, and weekend classes are $67. There's also a one time registration fee of $22, but if you register a group the fee covers everyone, so you can opt to split it. And if you get addicted, there are class cards for sale. Five classes gets you 5% off (but if you buy this after your first class they throw in one more class free), 10 classes at 10% off, and 20 classes at 20% off. You can also share a class card with friends (up to 3 people).
I highly recommend trying this at least once in your life. Would I do it again? Heck yeah!
Let me first off explain that I completely sucked at Trapeze, but still had a blast. I know I'm the only one thus far not giving it five stars and I want to be clear that it is NOT because I sucked!
The reason is becuase of the lack of time you get on the bar. The class is two hours and there are 3 staff. One at the top, one on your harness, and one teaching at a teaching station. In that time, we each got to go off the top 4 times, plus an attempt at getting caught. And if you weren't caught, you got to try agian. So the maximum numberof times you got to go off the bar was 6. Our class only had 8 people too. they limit their classes to 10, so I imagine if there had been 10 people, perhaps we would have gotten one less try.
That being said, it was still exhilerating and I would do it again! It gives a whole new respect for those performers from the circus. This is tough. the bar tears up the back of your knees so wear appropriate clothes...guys, no shame in wearing tights here!
The view from the top is amazing as you are looking north toward Malibu and can see all the beach people on the shore. The crowd walking by on the pier who stopped and watched really motivated me. They cheered for you if you were successful.
There were 4 kids in my class as well, ranign from 4 to 15 years old. It was great for them. The timing is tough, but I would love to give it another shot!
"Omig-aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh %@#Y%()&#%*%^^#$!!!!!!!!!" is what I screamed when I took my first swing off the platform at Trapeze School. This class is no joke! I figured I'd get one shot at flying and the rest would be learning about the art of trapeze and the basics while watching experts demonstrate. Yeah, that didn't happen. What did happen is 10 minutes of explanation, some joking, getting harnessed, all the while my heart starting to pound a little faster and my hands beginning to shake like an addict in a need of a fix.
I signed up for the beginner's flying trapeze class. It's a 2-hour class and you are taught several basic trapeze movements. It's a fantastic value for the price. It's organized very well and very professional. They offer classes for all levels and all ages. I saw a 2-year old harnessed and practicing on a trampoline - too cute. The class sizes are small and you can even sign up with a bunch of friends to make it more fun. Although, by the end of the class you feel a bond with your fellow death-wishers, even the ones you didn't know. You were all crazy enough to sign up for this madness, so it's not surprising.
I got to go on the trapeze at least 4 times, each time my fear subsiding a little bit more. The instructors were capable, encouraging and fun. They gave themselves silly names like, "Penguin, "Gene Kelly" and "The Asian". I don't know if I would have gone through with it had it not been for "Gene Kelly" trying to calm me down by asking me questions about my life while I was on the platform of doom. Kind of like that first trip the gynecologist where the gynecologist makes idle conversation about nonsense like asking you what your favorite ice cream is like she's not about to violate you. I ain't stupid, I know what you are about to do!
It's also a great workout, especially for your core. And we all know "the core" is the hotness these days. Today, my core is sore.
It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it. How often do you get to "fly" on the pier in Santa Monica with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop as an audience of locals and tourists cheer you on thinking you're an expert? Just don't forget to wear Depends!
Every year for my birthday I do 3-4 unusual activities that break me from my comfort zone. After seeing an episode of Girls Next Door, where Bridget takes trapeze lessons, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do. So I was thrilled that there was a reputable company only five miles from my house.
My friend Janice met me down on the pier and we were joined by about five or six other people. Most of us were novices but there were a couple repeat flyers among us.
The lesson begins with an introduction to the process and a quick practice to see if you can get your legs up over the bar. However, unless you have abs of steel, it's pretty hard to do without assistance or without the momentum of flying through the air. Like I said, though, once you're actually in the air, it's much easier to do.
I won't blather on too much, but I really feel like the trapeze class was the most exhilarating thing I've ever done. Climbing up the ladder was the most nerve wracking part of the day, as was taking the bar in both hands (while someone held on to you so you didn't fall) for the first time. But I bent my knees, waited for the cue and JUMPED!
Depending on the size of the class, you'll get around 4-6 tries. The first couple times they teach you the basics and they're trying to test you to see if you listen to the cues and can react quickly enough. The last trick is to do a catch. I have a great video of me doing it if you are interested.
All I can say is, forget your fear of heights. Push your boundaries and I promise it will be two unforgettable hours!
I can't believe no one has reviewed the Trapeze School of New York!
The Trapeze School of New York is a temporary installation on the Santa Monica Pier. Anyone with the desire to become the next Daring Young Man (or woman) on the Flying Trapeze (did you catch that William Saroyan reference?) can do so by signing up for a lesson. Although the sign out front says they welcome walk ins, I still highly recommend you sign up in advance.
We went on a Thursday night (intentionally to catch some of the music of the Thursday night Twilight Dance Series) which worked out well because it was reggae night and who doesn't want to hear a dreadlocked Rastafarian who probably smells heavily of patchouli getting down with the skank and singing about Jah?
Our class started around 6 and ended around 8. (We also chose this time slot intentionally because it would afford us to catch the sunset from a unique vantage point! It really was beautiful up there! ) After stretching out we had a short lesson on the ground and then UP and a AWAY we went!
The scariest part was my first ascent. The ladder freaked me out and when I got to the top I was so shakey I thought my knees were going to give out! I had told myself I wouldn't look around my first time up so I wouldn't notice how high up I was. I almost chickened out but knew the only ways down were either back down the scary ladder or down into the net so I bucked up! It's not a very comfortable situation when you're body is being stretched so you can grab the bar, but once you let go and jump it's fun! My first time down my arms were burning and I wasn't able to concentrate on getting my legwork done so I wasn't able to complete a flip.
My second time up I almost ran up the ladder! I did MUCH better and was able to get my legs on the bar. At that point I was sold! Trapeze ROCKS! We went up a few more times and at the end of class one of the instructors played catcher and caught people! Oh, yeah the instructors...They're really great! They know their stuff, they're strong and they take their jobs seriously. I felt very safe in their hands. (Honestly you really have to trust these guys!)
The only reason I docked a star was because although there were 5 of us in the class there were other people sneaking into our rotation to go up and I didn't think that was too cool since we had paid for a 2 hour block and these people were cutting into our time slot.
Would I do it again? HELL YA!
I posted photos!
I am scared of heights and never wanted to be in the circus- but thought this was a "Great Idea!" I came to my class a bit earlier and saw the "tricks" that the class before mine were doing. I was thinking- no way am I going to be able to do that.
As I climbed the 28' ladder, I started to shake and wondered what I was thinking to sign up and pay $69 to put myself through this. I was up at the top, and one of the instructor's was probably very used to seeing folks like me shaking and freaking out. He was very patient, nice and calming. As I calmed down, I grabbed one hand on the ladder, the other on the trapeze pole.
Next thing I know I was swinging, putting my legs over the trapeze pole and hanging upside down. It was such a great moment--exhilarating.
By the second time I went up, I felt like a pro and was ready to sign up for their pack of lessons (more about this to come).
Overall it's a great activity to do with your friends. You can go alone, but it's much more fun to have other scared sh**less with you. Observers can hang around with you, but I think our observers were getting bored after the first hour since they did not have the adrenaline rush.
I would totally do it again, but a few things I would advise:
1. Stretch before doing it. 3 days later and I am still a bit sore.
2. Go with friends if you can.
3. Wear pants (they tell you to do this, but it definitely saved my legs). Stretch/yoga/workout pants are definitely best that are somewhat high waisted. You don't want your pants to be falling down while you are doing your "tricks."
4. Wear socks.
5. Wear sunscreen. You are outside for 2+ hours near the water. We all got a bit of sun.
6. Even if you have someone taking pictures, I would buy the photos they take. They are bit expensive, but you can split it with your friend. The pictures I got from them were awesome and definitely worth it. She got angles which looked like she was under the net, which is an area that observers cannot stand. I wish I had a better outfits for the photos. The folks who wore fun bright clothes had great photos. The rest of us, who decided to wear boring black pants, didn't look as festive!
7. Park in the 3rd street promenade parking. It's free for 2 hours, and like $1 for additional hours. We made the mistake and parked near the pier, which took a long time to get out and was much more expensive ($8)
8. Keep all your jewelry at home. They tell you take it off and it is pretty secure there, but no one is paying attention because everyone is focused on the trapeze area that I think it may be safer to not even bring it.
Overall, I felt totally safe because we were harnessed. All the instructors were funny, nice and patient. They instructed us very clearly on what we were to do, and they were very much into safety.
I can't believe by the end of class I was on a trapeze and did a catch and release with another trapezer on the other side.
About the pack of classes- think whether you want to do the pack while you are taking your first class. They will cut a deal where you buy 5 classes (at a 5% discount) and they will give a free class. This is a really good deal but you need to be prepared to pay like ~$300 bucks for this.
Wow, what a great experience! I got such an adrenaline rush from flying through the air on a trapeze for the first time. I liked it so much I bought a set of classes so that I can go a few more times, maybe learn some new tricks (or try a hand at silks or the trampoline) at a lower rate.
The staff is awesome, they are friendly and personable which makes it a wonderful environment for you to just really have fun with it, and at the same time you feel safe knowing they have your safety in mind.
For my first class, this is generally what I experienced:
- Getting a feel for jumping off the platform onto the trapeze bar and then falling into the net
- Swinging by my knees (I even got to jump off in a back tuck into the net!)
- Then the most thrilling of all... doing a 'catch'. You swing by your knees and there is a staff on the opposite swing who will catch you by the arms as you let go of the your bar at the knees. Then you are really flying in the air!
As a beginner I had a harness climbing the ladder and a different harness for the actual flying which was assisted by spotter. I was given instruction on the ground before going up, and while flying I followed the cues shouted out by the instructor which were helpful during flying to know the timing on movements.
Check out the website for more information and tips to prepare. My tip for myself would have been to make sure to wear some kind of stretchy fitted long pants instead of shorts. Hanging upside down bare-knees definitely made the back of my knees tender. Also keep your hair back and out of your face with a hairband or tie.
Feel free as a bird, set aside your fears and have yourself a little adventure and fun by sign up for a class!
Love. Love. Love. It was the most invigorating experience ever! Take a friend or two so you can snap some video/pix... Cuz no one will ever believe you!
The view from the top is amazing!
They're professional and all about safety.
They have silks too. Wear something form fitting.
If you were one of those kids that liked to hang upside down on the monkey bars, boy do I have something for you. Imagine hanging upside down on a swinging horizontal bar some 30 feet in the air. That's just one part of the excitement you'll get from trapeze. It's something you should definitely think of trying at least once just for the excitement of doing something new and cause its just plain fun.
When it's your first time, you work on one move to prepare you for the highlight which is to be transferred from one bar and caught by another person on another bar. The move is to go from hanging from your arms to be hanging from your legs and then reaching out so the instructor on the other bar can catch you.
If you're like me and like to start running before even knowing how to walk, it can get a bit tedious doing the same thing over and over if only for a couple of hours. The instructors are great, constantly giving advice on how to better your form. Plus the view while you're on the top looking over the pier and into the ocean is pretty majestic too.
So the class is done as a group, the smaller the group the more reps but that also means less time to rest. The pricing is tiered so it's more expensive on the weekend (65) and less during weekdays.
If after the lesson and you're craving for more, consider heading out to the beach and go swinging on the rings.
