Aerial Hoops FAQ

Where do I start?

There are a few things to consider before buying an aerial hoop.

The first thing to determine is what size hoop you will need. If you go to an aerial hoop class the instructor will be able to advise you what size hoop you need. Alternatively follow our measuring guide below under “What Size Hoop?“.

The next thing to work out is where you are going to hang your hoop. Do you have any exposed beams in your house/garage, or easy to access strong joists? – We’d recommend you get any beams checked out by a qualified rigger/structural engineer, to make sure they’re strong enough.
Or, if you’d like your hoop outside (or not attached to your house inside) an aerial A frame is ideal. The equipment we sell isn’t weather proof, so it would need to be taken inside if it rains.

Once you’ve got your location and hoop size you can work out what strop length you need to hang the hoop at the right height. It’s handy to have a couple of different length strops, so you can adjust things as needed.

We highly recommend having lessons in aerial hoop before you start practicing at home. A qualified instructor will teach you safe ways to train, there is no substitute for professional training from a qualified instructor.

A basic checklist for a hoop is below (this will vary slightly depending on where your hoop will be hung and what equipment you have already):

– aerial hoop
– strop
– carabiner
– suitable crash mat
– somewhere suitably strong to hang the hoop

What size hoop do I need?

A common size hoop for an adult is 95cm, a common size for children is 85cm.

If you are unsure which size hoop to choose, a simple way to work it out is to sit on a chair, then take a measurement from the seat to the crown of your head, then add 10cm. Example 80cm + 10cm = 90cm, in this case, you would need a 90cm hoop.
Please note, this is only a guide for calculating the size you require. If you attend a class we suggest you contact your instructor as they will be able to advise what size hoop you need.

Hoop sizes go up in 5cm increments, so if your result is in between hoop sizes we’d suggest you round it up to the nearest 5cm.
Eg. Seat to crown measurement = 72cm + 10cm = 82cm so choose an 85cm hoop.

If the hoop is to be used by multiple sized people a 95cm is usually the recommended size.

Please note our hoops are measured on the outside (OD).

A common size hoop for an adult is 95cm, a common size for children is 85cm.

If you are unsure which size hoop to choose, a simple way to work it out is to sit on a chair, then take a measurement from the seat to the crown of your head, then add 10cm. Example 80cm + 10cm = 90cm, in this case, you would need a 90cm hoop.
Please note, this is only a guide for calculating the size you require. If you attend a class we suggest you contact your instructor as they will be able to advise what size hoop you need.

Hoop sizes go up in 5cm increments, so if your result is in between hoop sizes we’d suggest you round it up to the nearest 5cm.
Eg. Seat to crown measurement = 72cm + 10cm = 82cm so choose an 85cm hoop.

If the hoop is to be used by multiple sized people a 95cm is usually the recommended size.

Please note our hoops are measured on the outside (OD).

How do I hang my hoop?

Hoops are often suspended using a carabiner and a strap/strop. Some attach the carabiner directly to the metal tab on the hoop, others attach the strop using a choker hitch around the hoop. Any metal on metal will potentially wear each surface, so we advise you use a sacrificial layer between carabiner and hoop tab. Something like a small piece of tube over the carabiner will help to protect both parts in contact, you will need to replace this frequently to maintain the protection.

As to where to hang your hoop from, there are a few places you can hang your hoop in your home, such as an exposed beam, but safety is very important, make sure you have the beam weight tested or approved by a structural engineer and have your hoop installed by a professional. Alternatively, if you’d like your hoop outside or have the space inside you could purchase an aerial rig or frame.

What length strop do I need?

The length of strop you need depends on the available hanging height and the height you would like your hoop from the floor.

As a rough starting guide we suggest the bottom of the hoop should be around waist height, this allows enough room for most moves under the hoop.

Remember to factor in other items like the tab (if you’re using a single point hoop), carabiners and swivels. Here is an example to help you calculate what length strop you would need:

Available hanging height – hoop diameter – height of hoop from floor – carabiners and spinners (etc) = length of strop required

Available hanging height – 300cm
Hoop diameter – 85cm
Height of hoop from the floor – 100cm
Single point hoop tab – 10cm
1x Carabiner – 10cm

300cm – 85cm – 100cm – 10cm – 10cm = 95cm – so a 1m strop would be ideal.

What size hoops do you sell?

Our Single Point Aerial Hoop sizes range from 75cm to 105cm outer diameter (OD) in 5cm increments.
Zero Point Aerial Hoop sizes range from 75cm to 100cm outer diameter (OD) in 5cm increments.
However we may be able to manufacture hoops in a different size on request, please contact us.

What are your hoops made of?

Our hoops are made of 27mm, thick walled, steel tube. They are powder coated in satin black with a polyester based, hard wearing coating that’s resistant to moisture, salt spray and other common acids, alkalis and oils. It also offers excellent weather resistant properties, while providing a smooth satin finish that’s wipe clean.

Can I use my hoop outside?

Yes, you can use your hoop outside, although we do recommend you take your hoop inside when you’re not using it and store it in a dry place.

Can I have more than one colour on my hoop?

Yes, you can have two, three or even four colours on your hoop if you like.

Two coloured hoops can be selected on any of our hoops. If you’d like more than two colours, or a different taping design idea please contact us us and we will do our best to accomodate your request.

Are your hoops tested?

Yes our hoops have been tested. We take aerial safety very seriously and like to share our testing process with you so you can be confident when purchasing our hoops. We have filmed our testing process so you can see for yourself how our hoops are tested.

You can watch our video where we tested one of our hoops to destruction!

Do you test every hoop?

Not every hoop is tested, however we regularly spot test our batches of hoops.
Every hoop is thoroughly visually checked before dispatch and some are proof loaded to 200kg.

Can I have my hoop tested?

Yes, if you need your individual hoop testing and a certificate for a proof load we can do this for you at an extra cost, please contact us before purchasing.

How do I re-tape my hoop?

The tape on your hoop is subject to wear and will need replacing after a while.

To re-tape your hoop the first thing to do is of course remove the old tape. Then give your hoop a good clean to get rid of the residue. Don’t worry it doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure you try to get rid of any lumps, or you might feel them once you tape over the top.

Once you reach 12 o’clock cut the tape and restart back at 6 o’clock again. Make sure you overlap the first tape at the bottom and secure the tape too, by wrapping over itself a couple of times. Then tape up the other side all the way up to 12 o’clock again.

Can I use my own carabiner?

The simple answer is yes you can use your own carabiner. However, there are many different types of carabiner available, so please choose carefully.

Our hoops are made of steel, so we recommend you use a steel carabiner that is rated at 25kN or more. Aluminium/Alloy carabiners can be used, but as aluminium is softer than steel there is a possibility that the aluminium carabiner will wear more quickly.

We also recommend the use of a sacrificial layer, this is a disposable layer, often tubing, that is placed between the carabiner and hoop. The sacrificial layer will help to prevent wear on your equipment, this will need to be replaced as it wears. Please note this is not a replacement for your regular equipment checks.

What is a sacrificial layer?

This is a disposable layer, often tubing that is placed between the carabiner and hoop tab. The sacrificial layer will help to prevent wear on your equipment. It will need to be replaced when it’s starting to wear. Make sure you continue to check all your equipment regularly, ideally every time you use it, and replace damaged items when needed.

Where can I learn?

There are quite a few places around that offer lessons for both adults and children. Use our Class Finder to locate your nearest.

Do you have a shop?

Sorry, we don’t have a shop that you can visit. We are an online store.

This is a gift, will the parcel contents be obvious?

Our parcels are hoop shaped, so it is quite obvious what is inside the package. Our courier, DX, will supply a 2 hour slot on the day of delivery, so you can arrange for the recipient to be occupied when the parcel is delivered, or you could consider having your parcel delivered to a neighbour, or family member.

Made a mistake with your order?

If you have made a genuine mistake with your order e.g ordered the incorrect item by mistake or chosen the wrong colour or size we can usually make changes to your order, however dependant on what stage your order is in our system you may incur a re-stocking and admin fee of upto £15. You may also be required to pay a postage fee if your order has already been processed. Each order is made up bespoke to your size and colour etc. So our advice is that you immediately email us in order to stand the best chance of not incurring these fees.

Where is my order confirmation?

Have you placed an order but not received an order confirmation from us? If so, the first place to check is your spam/junk mail folder. If it’s not in there, try checking any other email accounts you have (perhaps the one you use for PayPal).
If you still can’t find your order confirmation please contact us and we will happily send you another copy.

I ordered accessories with my hoop, where are they?

Any accessories ordered with a hoop will usually be packed and securely attached to the inside of your hoop, please check your parcel and the packaging thoroughly before disposal. If you still can’t find your accessories please contact us and we will look into this for you.

Do you offer any bulk discounts?

Yes, we do have discounts on our hoops. If you would like to purchase four or more hoops at a time, this is how the discounts work:

4-7 hoops – save £3 per hoop
8-15 hoops – save £4 per hoop
16+ hoops – save £5 per hoop

This discount will apply automatically at the checkout. To qualify for bulk discounts, purchases must be made on one order and delivered to a single address.