Long Sutton fitness instructor qualifies to teach aerial hoop

A Long Sutton fitness instructor is taking to the air to make graceful shapes in a new exciting fitness class.

Sylvia Lloyd, who teaches a range of classes at the Peele Leisure Centre, has qualified as an aerial hoop instructor.

She is part of the team at Perfect Pole Fitness, in Austin Fields, King’s Lynn, bringing this unique form of exercise.

More and more people are getting bored with pounding out the miles on the treadmill and are swapping gyms for studios to try aerial hoop.

Inspired by the high wire and trapeze swinging acts, aerial hoop, also known as “Circeaux” and “Lyra”, provides a fun way to increase strength and flexibility.

Miss Lloyd said: “Hoop is a unique and creative way to get fit and build strength – where else could I get away with hanging upside down?

“It’s a beautiful and creative art form that can help keep you strong and fit and at the same time builds camaraderie.” Perfect Pole Fitness has three steel hoops, which are suspended a short distance from the ground.

The hoop can be rigged up with a single or double tab, which is a harness to connect the hoop to the chain or rope.A single tab allows the hoop to spin and swing easier while a double tab adds balance and stability.

People on the hoops are able to create a variety of graceful poses along with spinning and the splits.

The studio runs a children’s class for five to 11-year-olds along with three adult sessions.

But there are plans to add a further two classes.

Owner of the studio Jane Cole said: “As an instructor, it’s amazing to watch how people come on. They start a class and can’t lift up and over the hoop, but within three weeks they are doing a combination of moves.”

For more on aerial hoop classes go to: www.poleperfectfitness.co.uk

To learn more about Miss Lloyd’s fitness classes go to: www.facebook.com/WickedFitnesswithSylvia