Aerial yoga swings and hammocks are popular in yoga studios across the world, but now you can also buy one for home. Let us show you the best available!
What are Aerial Yoga Swings and Hammocks
You’ve found the right website if you’re looking to read online reviews and buy your very own yoga swing for use in the studio or at home. The industry is certainly booming and now is the right time to gain the benefits of aerial yoga.
Not so many studios offer aerial yoga and some people simply live too far away. Doing yoga at home with a hammock is certainly a great alternative.
Aerial swings and hammocks provide a way for students to do yoga while suspended in the air and off their yoga mat. Those who practice this form of anti-gravity yoga use the hammock like a swing while gently bending both backwards and forwards or using the hammock as leverage to get a deeper stretch. These aerial yoga inversion tools are ideal for students who have at least 1-year experience in general hatha yoga.
It’s difficult to find good quality equipment in sports stores as it’s not as common to practice aerial yoga at home. However, if you turn to online then you’ll find some great options for yoga trapeze.
Anti-gravity yoga vs Aerial Yoga at home
There isn’t really a difference between these two styles. In fact, people say “anti-gravity yoga” because it simply makes them sound smarter. In reality: It’s just yoga while held up by a hammock.
At home, this is best accomplished with a large door frame or inside your garage. It’s always best to hire a professional ti fit in the suspension frame to the ceiling and ensure it’s rated to at least 500 pounds or 200kgs.
Yoga Hammock vs Swing
A yoga hammock is cloth-like material where you can coup yourself up in and hide as well as do an array of stretches, whereas a swing it more-so rope material with holding bars do you can fly like a trapeze. Either way – both of these are aerial/anti-gravity yoga frames and we recommend purchasing both as they are complementary in their pursuit of getting yogis off their mats and into the air!
Aerial hammocks materials
Most aerial hammocks previously were made from silk. Due to animal rights complaints (the silk worms die during harvesting of their silk) and the ethics of those who practice yoga, this has since changed into nylon/polyester/cotton alternatives in recent years. Today, most aerial hammocks simply aren’t made from silk though are still marketed as silk.
Best Yoga Swings and Hammocks
Right! Now let’s look at what the best aerial yoga swings and hammocks actually are.
1. Yogabody Yoga Trapeze Pro
It’s quite easy for us to say the Yogabody Trapeze Pro inversion swing is one of the best on the market. It’s been safety-tested to 600lbs while providing rubber handle grips (instead of foam) as well as gym-grade carabiners and a stylish carry bag.
They also include video tutorials and a pose chart for total beginners. Whether it’s your first time or you’re an experienced flyer, this is easily our #1 recommendation.
2. Uplift Active
We absolutely love the Uplift Active range of yoga hammocks. Often manufacturers make these in a solid color but Uplift have gone in a different direction. There are in fact several different colors including a rainbow hippy design!
This company is very much in the niche of selling exclusively aerial yoga hammocks and accessories. The fabric feels soft yet very secure and won’t really stretch over time, yet won’t make you sweaty either.
3. Wellsem Yoga and Pilates Swing
If you’re looking to avoid silk aerial hammocks, then the best alternative is 100% nylon for the eco-conscious person. Remember: Silkworms, unfortunately, die during the harvesting of their silk.
Wellsem has brought to the market very strong yoga hammocks which are rated to 2000 pounds! This is far more than just about anything else we have listed here. In addition, you’ll also get 5.5 yards x 3 yards of surface area to play with, and with that also has some stretch too. You’ll also get included in the box the carabiners and daisy chains so you can hang it up on the ceiling.
There are a dozen solid colors to choose from in their range for both men and women.
4. Gravotonics Yoga Inversion Swing
Something in the mid-market is the Gravotonics yoga swing. It’s quite strong and offers a no-frills way to experience going upside down at home. Included in the package is a DVD and this model is made from parachute fabric.
This model has 6 grip handles which are easy to hold and the whole unit assembles in just minutes.
5. EverKing Yoga Swing
The EverKing Yoga Swing Trapeze is a high-quality but cost-effective unit for inversion exercises. You can use this for spinal decompression as well as building upper body strength.
They provide a 30-day money back guarantee and 12 months worth of warranty. This is a Chinese brand and so you won’t find the brand to have its roots in yoga but still a worthwhile contender for this list.
6. Sotech Aerial Yoga Hammock Inversion Swing
For the individuals looking for a cheap yoga hammock (gasp! you actually shouldn’t look for cheap and low quality) then the AGPtEK is much more affordable. But honestly, price should be last on your list of important considerations.
Again – this is another Chinese manufacturer who is in the aerial yoga space but there are hundreds of positive student reviews. The whole unit packs up into a small pouch. This makes it perfect for traveling around.
7. UpCircleSeven Swing Inversion Tool
This one isn’t specifically a hammock. It’s more of a rope setup but does give you a lot of support without the feeling of being strangled while you’re pulling a creative upside down asana.
The rating on this quite high at 550 pounds while also having good padding. Their construction is quite unique and it also comes with a couple of extension straps to get you safely through each pose regardless of your height or ability.
Recommended accessories
In addition to the aerial yoga setup that you buy for your home or studio, there are several props and accessories that we can recommend for the perfect experience.
Suspension hooks
Unfortunately, most yoga hammocks don’t come with suspension hooks. These are the stainless steel hooks that you get professionally mounted into your ceiling rafters.
On the bright side, these are remarkably cheap and you can find these yoga hammock hooks on Amazon for very affordable prices. One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to find load-rated hooks at a minimum of 1000lbs per hook so avoid anything that looks to small and non-rated.
Yoga gloves
One of the challenges of using hammocks is the lack of grip. For that reason, we do recommend that you invest in some quality yoga gloves. Look for those that have a firm but not tight trip and you might also want to consider some yoga socks as well.
Portable aerial rig
Did you know that you could buy a portable aerial rig? This means you don’t need to buy suspension hooks or drill into your house. If you’re renting then a portable rig is a fantastic idea.
Uplift Active as we mentioned at #2 on this list also sells a portable aerial yoga rig. The weight rating on this unit is low but it does mean you can use this within needing to make modifications to your home.
Buying Guide
So what do you actually look for when buying an aerial yoga setup? Well, quite a few things actually!
User reviews
You should be checking the reviews of users who have used a yoga hammock that you’re considering. What are they saying about it? Was it high quality and packaged well? Often the negative reviews are based on the fact that most hammocks don’t including ceiling hooks.
Weight capacity
Consider the weight capacity of which ever unit that you purchase. You’ll want to know that it can support you and most on the market hold between 300 and 700 pounds, though some stretch right up to 2000 pounds so you can (if you’re confident) have 2 people using the device at once.
Color choices
Most manufacturers simply use basic solid colors and for most studios, this works just fine. Consider a color choice that works with your home or personal taste and know that most colors will fade due to sunlight over time based on the materials used.
Handles
Yoga swings come with handles and yoga hammocks are simply flat material where you must improvise. With the swings, you can get either rubber or foam handles. We recommend rubber as the grip is superior and foam isn’t so sustainable for the environment.
Hammock size
100″ by 60″ is the most common yoga hammock size. This allows practioners to cover the bulk of yoga poses and exercises quite comfortably, though you purchase extension straps to get lower to the ground or if your ceilings are quite high.
Most Common FAQs
What are aerial yoga extension straps for?
The extension straps for aerial yoga hammocks lower the height between the floor and hammock, while with swings they change the height for the practitioner. These straps often come included with the purchase of a swing or hammock though are only used 30% of the time.
How do I wash my aerial yoga hammock?
Most commonly manufacturers do include instructions, but if yours are missing, then here’s what to do:
- Fill a bathtub half full with water
- Avoid the use of any soaps or detergents
- Simply hand-wash your hammock for 5 minutes
- Hang it out to dry on the line for 1 to 2 days.
A word of caution: After washing your yoga hammock, do not use a dryer as this may melt or shrink your hammock while reducing its structural integrity. This is especially the case with silk and nylon hammocks.
Can my kids do aerial yoga?
Absolutely! In fact children are more inclined and excited about the prospect of hanging upside down and stretching than adults are. Most commercial yoga studios do offer kids aerial yoga classes these days so check your local centres.
What is the best clothing for aerial yoga?
Given the nature of poses that you’ll experience including going upside down multiple times, it’s best not to wear shorts during aerial yoga. The best clothing to choose are leggings and tighter fitting tops and yes, this includes men. Avoid using the same loose clothing that you might use for a gym or running session.
How high should I have my yoga hammock?
You’ll want it to be between 90cm and 130cm from the ground depending on your height. Essentially, your hammock should be easy enough to jump up into but high enough that when you go upside down, you don’t knock your head.
In summary
Transforming your yoga journey by including aerial yoga is something we can highly recommend. This style of yoga is still evolving and more and more yoga studios are offering weekly classes.
Starting your journey at home is certainly a great step in the right direction with affordable pricing now offered. As a result, we simply recommend you spend up for the best in class and know that you have a strong brand holding you up there where you’ll feel more confident doing those poses.
