I want to join the circus. But I cannot make that kind of a commitment right now. And I haven't…read morebeen training since I was six. This is my answer!!! Aerial silks the name and lookin badass is the game (you know, those two long pieces of fabric that hot siberian circus chicks wrap themselves up in at ridiculous heights off the ground). An alternative fitness class that teaches all levels at the same time and as you improve, they show you more moves. Pretty wonderful in my book. In my first class I sucked at climbing the silks so bad, but then they showed us some other beginner moves that didn't require climbing and I nailed them and felt like I accomplished something despite the aforementioned sucking. I've researched other places that teach circus skill type classes in london and you have to usually sign up for several week courses (before you even know if you like it or not) and you can't just drop into a class any time during the course. With this place you can pay for one class or sign up for a chunk of them to get a discounted rate once you know for sure you like it. And the founders are super nice and supportive and always there to greet us. They just wanted to create a space like they used to have back in Argentina. At the moment they have two evening classes every Tuesday and are looking to introduce more circus style performance skills like tightrope and tumbling etc.

I went to a aerial hoop class in Farringdon and really enjoyed it. I do the flying trapeze and…read morewanted to try out another aerial art. I was really impressed by the amount of things we learned, in the two hours the instructor, who was friendly and helpful, showed us three different ways to get into the hoop and three different positions. It was great fun and a proper workout. I wasn't a big fan of the location inside gymbox, the Battersea place seems to be a lot nicer and more spacious.

In attempting to fulfil my dream of being a circus performer, I went to Hoops and Silks last night…read moreat Aerialand. As I have never done anything like this before, I opted for hoops as it was supposedly better for a beginner. The class had 5 people in it a mix of advanced, intermediate and first timers, thank goodness there was another person who had never done it! This is not an easy workout, you are using all upper body strength and core to pull the rest of you into the hoop. The teachers were so nice and very helpful, but at the end of the class youre the one getting up there. You then go through a series of moves and at the end finish it in the full combination and they take pictures! Which was a really nice touch. You finish with some deep stretches with a partner which felt amazing. As I right this the next day, I cant move my arms higher than my keyboard and am using two hand to pick up a cup of coffee, but that just is a tribute to a fantastic and different way of working out. But also goes to show what incredible strength acrobatics takes. Aerialand is located in a school not far from Ravenscourt Park, a little hard to find but look for the signs inside the building.

Aerial Circus Kids Club- aerial silks, trapeze, aerial hoop. Friday after school and Sundays…read more Wonderful instruction- positive, expert, fun, attentive. Diego was a professional circus performer. The kids love him! Acro-yoga- also fantastic!! Who knew I could do those things? Even my husband was impressed! Again: fun. Pure fun. Oh. Was I getting fit at the same time? Aerialand is tucked away -- a year-old real gem that is soon-to-be-discovered. I almost don't want to tell you about this place, keep it all to myself. Valentina, the owner, is amazing, full of energy, pizazz, and creativity. The student performances she coordinates are terrific. Oh, and I forgot to mention the hula hooping, pole dancing, burlesque, rope, anti-gravity yoga, and aerial silks classes? I love Aerialand!

I wasn't sure what category to put this in…read more It is a big warehouse, where you learn to be a circus star. Why is that not a yelp category?! I took a series of three silks courses here. NOT at easy as it looks, let me tell you. I have never been so sore in my entire life, but it sure is a really unique way to work out and have fun/try something new. They offer static and flying trapeze, tumbling, silks, Chinese pole, hoops... pretty much anything you'd see at Cirque du Soliel or the like.The instructors (mine was named Katie, though I am admittedly biased towards other Katies...) were really sweet and patient. But yea, if you're not in pretty darn good shape.... good luck with this. The only downside is more a personal one, in that it is far from where I live. But it is a great space, with great staff, and I definitely recommend trying it out! Mostly other young (as in 20-35ish) fun people in my classes. Small class, too, all levels, but only like 3-5 people for 1 instructor.

From the owner: London's oldest and leading independent circus training school and circus performance company. We…read moreare proud to offer circus training in a wide range of disciplines including acrobatics, static trapeze, silks, aerial hoop, flying trapeze, Chinese pole and much more! Our circus training space is located in Woolwich, South-East London and comes equipped with state-of-the-art facilities with 3 different studios to train in. Our new facilities (opened in Spring 2018) match the unparalleled quality of AirCraft Circus Academy teachers and reflect the company's 10 years of experience in training youth, adults and professionals of all ages and ability. AirCraft Circus Academy is committed to spreading the magic of circus and making the impossible possible. All are welcome, join us today!

Not sure how anyone learns anything here…read more I took an adult Performance Tap dance class here, with the intention of taking a few others while I am here in London on holiday. After this class experience, I have definitely changed my mind. The instructor played the music so unbelievably loud that we could barely hear him speak or dance. Also, the other dancers did not listen to each other at all. Everyone just danced to their own rhythm without any regard for what their fellow dancers were doing. They were not at all in sync; which was incredibly ironic for a Performance Tap class. Part of being a successful performer is situational awareness; being in tune and in sync with your fellow performers on stage/on the floor at all times. Moreover, I expected more discipline from adult dancers. There were entirely too many times during the class where the teacher was speaking or trying to review steps, and other dancers were off tapping and doing their own thing, making it almost impossible to hear what the teacher was trying to teach. I almost can't fault them though because the class was quite unstructured. There was no delineation between warm-up, technique review, and actual choreography. We were just doing whatever the instructor did, whenever he did it. His hand cues were only slightly less awful than his counts and his verbal cues. Only a handful of people were able to keep up with him... I'm guessing they're accustomed to the dysfunction. Suffice it to say, Derek was definitely not one of the best instructors I've had. I found him only slightly less arrogant than his bio implied. At one point during the class, a student asked him a question about the choreography because he seemed to have changed the rhythm of the choreography that we were learning part way through the class. Most of the people in the class seemed to notice it (and it was a point of frustration and spirited conversation among some students after class). The student said something to the effect of, "It looks like you've changed the rhythm a bit," at which point he scoffed at her and replied, "Oh, *I* changed it?" in this condescending "How dare you imply that I'm wrong" kind of tone. As someone who has both taken and taught countless tap classes over the course of my life, I can say from experience that teachers and choreographers forget what they've choreographed all the time...especially when you're choreographing on the spot. We're human. It happens. But apparently not to Derek. Hmm. Classes are cash only, and are payable directly to the teacher at the beginning or end of class. There is also an extra £4 fee for drop-in classes, which are to be paid at the front desk by either cash or credit card. Why they have not made it possible for students to pay for classes with card is beyond me. If you find yourself without cash, not to worry. There is an ATM down the block near the Five Guys. Exit the studio and turn left, then turn right onto the street. It's about 2 to 3 minute walk, and the cash machine will be on the left side of the street. Overall, I am not certain that this experience was worth the frustration. The website is incredibly convoluted and it makes it almost impossible to effectively filter down the classes one wants to take. The website also does not have a long-term class schedule (I think it's only posted week-to-week), so you have to check back every few days to see what's available. Ultimately, I ended up waiting until I arrived in London and called the studio directly to see if they had the style and level of instruction that I was interested in. I am only giving this place an extra star because it was a catalyst for helping me to check off one of my bucket list items; taking my lifelong love of tap dance to another country.

Pineapple Studios is one of the most notorious dance studios in London and really has that 'Fame'…read moreesque vibe to it. I went here for a Musical Theatre training week almost a year ago and the place sported a minimalistic 80's vibe back then and has hardly changed since! Fear not however as the wide range of classes vary from beginners to advanced meaning there is something for every style and ability so you will never feel self conscious. I go every Wednesday evening to Street Jazz with Nicky Bentley which is not only brilliant fun but an amazing workout. Be warned, the tutors work you hard but you feel the benefit. I'm not a member and so pay £2 for a daily membership and an additional £6 for the class. I would advise that if you go to the more popular evening classes, get there early to get a good spot in the studio. Oh and take a towel as it gets quite sweaty if you participate in the more high energy classes! These tutors are the best in the business and I love it as an alternative way to get fit.