I recently discovered the best conversation starter. Tell someone you’re taking a trapeze class.
They’ll either look at you like you’re certifiably insane, or gasp and say, “Oh, wow, that’s so cool!”
And you know what? They’re both right. But, as I learned on Saturday night, that’s what made it such an incredible experience.
Okay, so let me back up.
TSNY Beantown (which also has locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Puerto Rico and, of course, NYC, where Carrie Bradshaw took her trapeze lesson on “Sex and the City”) is located … in all places … a furniture store.
But Jordan’s Furniture isn’t your normal furniture store. When you walk in, the trapeze school is to your immediate right, just before a huge water fountain with synchronized lights and music, like something you’d see in Vegas, and in front of an ice cream parlor that appears to be made entirely out of jellybeans.
And want to know what’s in front of the ice cream parlor, facing the trapeze schools? Chairs. And a whole lot of them.
So I was going to learn trapeze in front of a furniture store full of strangers. Or, as some would call it, a live audience. Holy crap.
The small group of first-time students – which included my brave friend J and I, a group of 5 girls, and a pair of 7-year-old twins — in our class gathered together for a surprisingly brief introduction, after which the instructor attached our safety harnesses (fastened so tight around my abdomen that it felt like a corset).
Before I knew it, we were lining up and the first few students climbed up the platform — some 23 feet in the air. I watched each girl take her turn (or “flying,” as it’s called in the trapeze biz), some performing better than others, while both dreading and anxiously awaiting my turn.
Climbing up the staircase to the platform was terrifying. Once I chalked up my hands, the instructor hooked the wires to my safety harness and told me to stand with my toes at the edge of the platform. (Don’t look down, don’t look down, I told myself. Did I mention my slight fear of heights?)
I clutched the railing on the platform with my left hand and reached my right hand out to the bar. Then I leaned forward about 45 degrees so that my body weight was positioned more over the net than the platform, all while the instructor kept a firm grip on the back of the harness. He told me to grab the bar with my left hand …. and I panicked.
After a few breathless moments, I eventually grabbed the bar with both hands, the instructor said “Ready!” and I bent my knees. Then he yelled the cue that it was time to fly: “HUP!”
And I froze. I knew I was supposed to jump off, but I couldn’t move.
“HUP!” he said again. And I swallowed and jumped from 23 feet in the air.
No words can describe those first few moments of flying. Terrifying. Exhilirating. Awesome. Electrifying. I tried to banish the thoughts that I wasn’t going to be able to hang on to the bar and tried on focus on the instructor on the ground by the net who was coaching us through this first trick.
I did okay until I was prompted to swing my legs up and hook my knees over the bar and I just couldn’t do it. Grrrr. I dropped the bar and fell into the safety net, and the competitive fire inside was lit.
I was GOING to get that knee hang if it killed me. Eventually it was my turn to climb back up, and while I was still incredibly nervous, determination, adrenaline and stubbornness took over.
And, well, the results speak for themselves.
The next few rounds I added a back flip to the end, where after pumping your legs forward-backward-forward, you fall backward, pull you knees up you chest, and rotate a few times before landing in the safety net.
In each of those turns, I struggled getting the knee hang on the first prompt, but was able to do it the second. And I wasn’t the only one … J and a few others in the class also had trouble nailing this trick, which sounds a lot easier than it actually is … especially if you are an uncoordinated, non-gymnast like me.
But two of the girls in the group were clearly naturals, and they got to progress to the next stage – a catch, where they would lock arms with a instructor swinging on a separate swing … just like in the real circus. Part of me is kind of glad I didn’t progress that far, yet the competitive side of me totally wants to get to that point next time.
Because, yes, there will be a next time. Just like this sign says when you enter the trapeze area, it is addicting. And those two hours fly by (no pun intended).
If you’re considering taking a trapeze class, here are some tips: Wear tight-fitting clothes. I wore old running tights and a tank top. And leave those wedding bands at home. I can’t even imagine how much those rings would have hurt my palms after gripping the bar like I did for several hours. Also, leave the headband at home (although I wore my Sparkly Soul headband and it didn’t budge, even as I was dangling upside down, but one girl kept losing her cotton headband every time).
And I won’t lie. I was sore the next day, which is something the instructors warned me about, but whoa. My entire upper body still hurts -– especially my shoulders, chest and triceps -– not to mention my core.
Keep in mind that a 2-hour class is $60, which can be steep, but watch out for Groupons, Living Social deals and other promotions. The entire group of girls in our class, along with J, were there because of an awesome Living Social deal (a 50% discount!)
In the end, I walked away with an adrenaline high, a feeling of pride for having faced me fears of heights …. and a whole new level of respect for acrobats.
And I can’t wait to go back.
After class, J and I changed out of our “trapeze gear” (now covered with chalk) and drove about 15 minutes to Burlington to treat ourselves to a well-deserved dinner and glass (or two) of wine at a restaurant I’ve been excited to try, called Seasons 52.
I love their premise; they call themselves a “fresh bar and grill” with rotating seasonal offerings, none of which is more than 475 calories. I immediately zeroed in on their Winter Vegetarian Sampler, which included quinoa-citrus salad, soft taco, seasonal vegetables, cedar-roasted tofu, mango chutney.
Um, yes please.
Honestly, it was one of the most delicious meals I have had in quite some time.
Of course, we felt like we had totally earned a dessert to, and the waitress came around with a tray full of little shot glasses of different desserts, which is how they are served.
Genius, I tell you. Because how many times have you craved something sweet after dinner but don’t really want a full dessert? This is perfect – just a little taste. I had some mocha dessert and it as divine.
So there you have it. It may not be a conventional “moms night out,” but it did include heart-racing fun and a yummy dinner. Works for me!
Would you ever consider taking a trapeze class? Have you already taken one?
Disclosure: I received a complementary trapeze class to facilitate my post, but all thoughts and opinions are mine … and I would totally pay full price to go back again.
Nikki says
LOVE this. I am so jealous. Such a fun workout, I bet 🙂 Also, I went to Seasons on Saturday! LOVE it there !!
Jessica says
You should try it!!! SO much fun, even if it was a little terrifying at times. How funny you were there too! It was my first time at Seasons and I may be in love 🙂
Nicole@RunningWhileMommy says
Wow, that is really cool! Never knew it existed. I would consider it and just might do it! Great job!
Jessica says
I know! It was such a fun … and totally different … ladies night out. And an unexpected killer workout, too 🙂
Laura Rossi says
OMG and WOW. I love this post and your bravery!
Jessica says
Thanks!! It was definitely a case of facing your fears head on, although I don’t think I’ll ever really be a fan of heights 🙂
jen says
It was the most terrifying and exhilarating Saturday evening I have had in awhile 😉 Still sore three days later makes me realize what a great workout it was as well!
Jessica says
Seriously!!! My shoulders are still burning! And my chest. And my triceps. And my abs.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide says
This is so cool!!!!!! I’m glad you took the leap… literally!
Jackie says
I almost peed a little just reading your post! You are a rock star! You GO! What an amazing experience. I have never done anything like this before, but you are inspiring me. Then again, we recently went zip-lining in Vermont (longest line was 1,000 feet long, about 70 feet up) and I felt like I was flying through the forest. It was exhilarating. So proud of you. And yes, you totally deserved the dessert!!!!!
mel says
I really want to try this! After the baby, I am going to give it a whirl!
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
I want to try this so bad! I’m glad you had a great time.