If you have taken the decision to master your aerial yoga skills, the next thing you need is the equipment. Aerial yoga can be a challenging thing, but it is also rewarding, thrilling and satisfying at the same time. To do it properly, you will need flexibility, strength, patience and most importantly the right setup of equipment.
The decision to practice aerial yoga is yours, but we can help you with the rigging process. It is really important in aerial yoga to have the right hammock, hooks and yoga bar. You need the swing to be able to handle and support your weight and provide you safety while you are hanging upside down from the hammock.
If you are looking to invest in aerial rigging for your at-home yoga, make sure you are taking care of the things mentioned in this article.
Options Available For Hanging Your Hammock
You can attach your hammock at your homes using different ways. Some people use a freestanding rig, others use door frame bars whereas some also attach them directly to the ceiling. All of these have their own benefits.
This is one of the quickest ways to attach your hammock. It is most commonly used because you don’t need a lot of help and it can be easily attached within minutes. In just ten minutes you can attach your hammock to a bar which can be removed whenever you want. This is an economical option that can be used for pull-ups and upper body workout as well.
This is a freestanding frame that can support different aerial equipment. These are generally made of high quality durable aluminium or stainless steel. These stands can be used for different kinds of aerial sports, they are multifunctional. These stands are also comparatively more expensive than a bar, so make sure you are serious about aerial yoga before you decide to buy this.
This is an affordable way to hang your hammock. All you need are these metal hooks that can be attached to the ceiling. Make sure you are doing this on a strong ceiling area which can handle your weight. It might take some help to install them, but they are a long term solution and come with two main brackets.
Tips For Buying The Right Rigging Equipment
Once you are of about the options available out there, make sure you know these things before making a decision:
- Weight Capacity- It is important to know what kind of setup will be able to handle your weight best. If you are planning to have the hammock for personal use then this should not be much of a problem, but if it is for commercial use, you might want to keep this in mind.
- Available Space- For indoor spaces, make sure you know how high your ceilings are or which door frames you will be using to install your hammock. Also, think about the space needed while doing the yoga. You don’t want to hit your head on a low ceiling or hurt yourself if the area is too small.
- Warranty- The equipment will come with different warranty periods, make sure you know about the same. A good warranty period would mean you can change parts if they turn out to be faulty without having to pay extra money.
- Portability- Consider whether you will be using the equipment from just one place or whether you need to transport it.
- Fabric- Make sure you choose a hammock that has a nice fabric. You might want to go for a cheaper option initially, but this will only make the hammock tear off easily and increase your expense in the long run.
- Safety Aspect- Make sure you buy the right things for your requirement. Trying to save money initially can lead to more costs in the long run. Invest in a hammock and frame that can work for years without any repair.
What All You Need To Hang Your Hammock
We already know that you can hang your hammock in any one of the three ways mentioned above. Most of them are easy and can be installed without much hassle. You might need some additional pieces to install your hammock properly though, these are:
Carabiners– These are metal loops used to safely attach different pieces of rigging together. These pieces need to be strong enough to hold all the pieces together.
Figure Eight Plate– These plates are used for the top part of the fabric. They are used to separate this part and make sure that the pressure is spread across in the right way.
Extension Straps– These adjustable straps are used between the top bar and the aerial hammock. These straps help in adjusting the length of the hammock and make it effective for people with different heights. The extension straps generally used for aerial yoga are called Daisy Chain.
Precautions You Must Take
- Aerial yoga can be a challenging workout, making sure you are not practicing it while unsupervised. You can face multiple issues like you can get tangled or stuck, and under similar circumstances, you might need someone to help you.
- Also, make sure that you have attended classes from a qualified professional before going on and practicing aerial yoga on your own. Make sure you are ready to begin before you actually take the step. Even once the equipment is installed, make sure you consult a professional to make sure that everything is installed properly.
- Every setup is different, make sure your equipment is perfect according to your needs. The setup should complement your needs and you should not have to alter your workout according to the equipment. Get the right size and type of equipment based on your space and ceiling height.
- Make sure you buy a yoga mat along with your apparatus. It is necessary to have one on the floor under your hammock to provide extra safety.
- Your rigging accessories are only as strong as their weakest part. Make sure you are being safe and have strong pieces.
Make sure you know your equipment and pieces and are installing only the strongest system depending on your needs. Have the right knowledge of the equipment required before you take any decision and consult a professional if needed. The rigging system should function for years without much repair so make sure you have a professional installing them. Installing these the right way is as important as having the right equipment pieces.
