They brave tightropes, swing upside down on the trapeze and twirl suspended by long chiffon fabric, but these are not circus performers; these are everyday people working out in aerial arts fitness classes—a new exercise trend that combines physical strength, flexibility and mental reasoning in a class environment.

With classes titled Aerial Conditioning and Technique and Aerial Fitness, people with normal day jobs are discovering working out doesn’t necessarily mean hopping on a treadmill.

“Circus is definitely becoming a form of fitness,” said Rachel Grandi, programs director at CircEsteem, 4730 N. Sheridan Rd. “It’s never about winning a race, it’s much more group minded.”

People spin upside down on giant gym wheels at CircEsteem, working their abdominals, legs and upper bodies, but Grandi said it’s not like going to the gym.

“In the moment, it doesn’t feel like a workout,” Grandi said. “But the next day you can’t lift your arms.”

Workout classes like Zumba and kickboxing teach people new skills while simultaneously giving them a workout. Aerial arts fitness classes take the same approach, according to aerial teachers.

“It’s amazing on the very first day people are able to climb a rope,” said Lauren Hirte, instructor and performer at the Actors Gymnasium, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston.“There [are] a lot of things you don’t think you’ll be able to do, and you’ll say, ‘Oh my god, I did that.’”

The Actor’s Gymnasium opened 15 years ago as a place specifically designed for training actors. Now that circus arts have become part of popular culture, the Actor’s Gym’s focus has shifted to encompass a wider range of students, according to Sylvia Hernandez, artistic director and co-founder of the Actor’s Gym.

“We realized these classes were good for everyone, not just actors,” Hernandez said. “It’s such a great, interesting workout and people come back because it’s so fun. You’re doing really physical work. You don’t even [realize] how good it is for your body. As a workout, it’s a new concept.”

There are several gyms in Chicago that offer aerial fitness classes for children and adults including Aloft Loft, 2041 W. Carroll Ave.

“Anybody can do this, but it’s not an activity that is intended for someone who has been sitting on the couch for years,” said Mark VanThournout, a personal trainer at Aloft Loft whose fitness class Strength and Conditioning I incorporates silks, trapeze, handstands and other types of balancing for an hour and a half, full-body workout.

VanThournout said seeing people accomplish challenging maneuvers and gain confidence is rewarding for him as a teacher. He and Hirte both said progression in aerial arts takes time and practice, but students who are willing to put in the hours find it pays off.

“I like the classes because they are challenging both physically and mentally,” said Mara Troup, an administrator who takes classes at Aloft. “It leaves you invigorated and coming back for more. It’s a big adrenaline rush.”

Some of Hirte’s students have taken their classes to the next level and are now performing with the San Francisco School of Circus Arts.

For some instructors who come from circus families, aerial exercise is now a way of life they share with their students. Gloria Gaona performed all over the world with Barnum & Bailey Circus throughout her life. She is a flying trapeze artist, instructor and hand balancing expert and co-owner of the Flying Gaonas Gym.

“I was born into the circus. I believe I started at 5 years old and now I’m almost 46,” Gaona said. “Trapeze works your whole body and it just keeps you really fit. It gives you more strength to do other sports.”

For Gaona, trapeze is a way of life and she shares that with her students.

“It does improve your self-esteem and helps you overcome fear when you have to step out into the real world,” Gaona said.

Aerial workshops are aimed at personal success, so most students are not looking to run away with the circus but want to experience something unusual and rewarding, Hernandez said.

“I think anyone who has the desire to learn it can learn it,” Hernandez said. “We like to give everybody a sense of accomplishment. It’s not about what your neighbor can do—it’s just about what you can do.”

knielsen@chroniclemail.comfor an hour and a half, full-body workout. VanThournout said seeing people accomplish challenging maneuvers and gain confidence is rewarding for him as a teacher. He and Hirte said progression in aerial arts takes time and practice, but students who are willing to put in the hours find it pays off.

“I like the classes because they are challenging both physically and mentally,” said Mara Troup, an administrator who takes classes at Aloft. “It leaves you invigorated and coming back for more. It’s a big adrenaline rush.”

Some of Hirte’s students have taken their classes to the next level and are now performing with the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. However, she said most of her students take classes for fun and not to become professional performers.

For some instructors who come from circus families, aerial exercise is now a way of life they share with their students.

Gloria Gaona performed all across the world with Ringling Bros.  and Barnum & Bailey Circus throughout her life. She is a flying trapeze artist, instructor and hand-balancing expert and co-owner of the Flying Gaonas Gym.

“I was born into the circus. I believe I started at 5 years old and now I’m almost 46,” Gaona said. “Trapeze works your whole body and it just keeps you really fit. It gives you more strength to do other sports. It improves your self-esteem and helps you overcome fear when you have to step out into the real world.”

Aerial workshops are aimed at personal success, so most students are not looking to run away with the circus but want to experience something unusual and rewarding, Hernandez said.

“I think anyone who has the desire to learn it can learn it,” Hernandez said. “We like to give everybody a sense of accomplishment. It’s not about what your neighbor can do—it’s just about what you can do.”