Aerial Sling vs. Aerial Hammock: Key Differences, Uses, and Choosing the Right Apparatus

What is the Difference Between Aerial Sling and Aerial Hammock?

While both aerial sling and aerial hammock utilize fabric suspended from a single point for aerial arts, their primary distinction lies in the configuration of the fabric loop and its attachment, which profoundly impacts the types of movements, support, and skill levels associated with each.

Understanding Aerial Hammock (or Aerial Yoga Hammock)

The aerial hammock, often synonymous with aerial yoga, consists of a single piece of fabric that is typically quite wide (2-3 meters) and rigged to form a complete, closed loop. The two ends of this fabric are brought together and attached to a single rigging point, effectively creating a "U" or "V" shape that acts like a supportive swing or cocoon.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Closed Loop: The fabric forms a continuous, closed loop, allowing the practitioner to fully sit, stand, or lie within it.
  • Width & Support: Its generous width provides significant surface area, offering substantial support and containment for the entire body. This cocoon-like quality can feel very secure and aids in relaxation and restorative practices.
  • Attachment: The two ends of the fabric typically converge at a single rigging point, often through a daisy chain, carabiners, or knots, ensuring a unified and stable suspension.
  • Movement Focus: Emphasizes static holds, gentle inversions, deep stretching, restorative poses, and therapeutic movements.

• Common Uses: Aerial yoga, restorative aerial practices, therapeutic movement, flexibility training, gentle conditioning, and meditation. It is often favored by beginners due to its high level of support.

Understanding Aerial Sling (or Aerial Loop/U-Shape)

In contrast, the aerial sling, sometimes referred to as an aerial loop or U-shape, uses a similar type of fabric but is rigged differently. Instead of forming a closed loop around the body, the fabric is suspended as an open "U" or "V" shape, with two distinct tails or ends that attach independently to a single rigging point. This allows for more dynamic movement through and around the fabric.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Open "U" or "V" Shape: The fabric does not fully encapsulate the body in the same way a hammock does. Practitioners move more actively with and through the open fabric.
  • Width & Support: While it can vary in width, the sling is often used in a way that offers less full-body containment than a hammock, requiring more active engagement of core and grip strength.
  • Attachment: The two separate ends of the fabric attach independently to the single rigging point, often via separate carabiners or knots, allowing the fabric to pivot, twist, and spread more freely.
  • Movement Focus: Favors dynamic movement, drops, wraps, spins, tumbles, and more acrobatic maneuvers.

• Common Uses: Dynamic aerial dance, performance-oriented routines, advanced aerial conditioning, circus arts, and strength-based aerial training. It generally requires more strength, body awareness, and experience than a hammock.

Key Distinctions: Hammock vs. Sling

Understanding the nuances between these two apparatuses is crucial for choosing the right path in your aerial journey.

• Fabric Configuration & Attachment:

  • Hammock: Fabric forms a complete, closed loop, with both ends converging to a single rigging point, creating a secure "U" or "V" shape for full body containment.
  • Sling: Fabric forms an open "U" or "V" shape, with two separate fabric tails attaching independently to a single rigging point, allowing for more dynamic manipulation.

• Support & Containment:

  • Hammock: Offers significant support and a high degree of body containment, feeling much like a soft, suspended cocoon. This reduces the need for constant muscular engagement.
  • Sling: Provides less inherent containment and support. Practitioners must actively engage their core and grip strength to stabilize themselves and execute movements, as the fabric allows for more freedom of movement through its opening.

• Movement Repertoire:

  • Hammock: Primarily used for static holds, restorative poses, deep stretches, gentle inversions, and therapeutic movements where the body can fully surrender to the fabric's support.
  • Sling: Geared towards dynamic movements, including drops, spins, tumbles, intricate wraps, and more acrobatic sequences that leverage the open nature of the fabric.

• Skill Level & Progression:

  • Hammock: Often considered more beginner-friendly due to its high level of support and stability, making it easier to learn inversions and build foundational strength and flexibility.
  • Sling: Generally requires more foundational strength, body awareness, and aerial experience. Its dynamic nature and reduced containment demand greater control and precision, making it a natural progression for those seeking more challenging aerial work.

• Primary Application & Focus:

  • Hammock: Emphasizes relaxation, flexibility, therapeutic benefits, and a meditative approach to movement.
  • Sling: Focuses on performance, dynamic strength, acrobatic skill, and creative movement expression.

Choosing the Right Apparatus for You

Selecting between an aerial hammock and an aerial sling depends largely on your personal fitness goals, experience level, and what you hope to gain from your aerial practice.

• Consider Your Goals: If your primary interest is in deep stretching, relaxation, therapeutic movement, or a gentle introduction to aerial arts, the aerial hammock is likely your ideal choice. If you are drawn to dynamic movement, acrobatic challenges, strength building, and performance, the aerial sling might be more suitable.
• Assess Your Experience Level: Beginners or those with limited upper body strength and core stability may find the hammock more accessible and a safer starting point to build foundational skills. Experienced aerialists looking to expand their repertoire or challenge themselves with more dynamic movements often gravitate towards the sling.
• Evaluate Your Physical Condition: The hammock can be more forgiving on joints and offer greater assistance for those with flexibility limitations. The sling demands more overall body strength and joint stability.

Safety Considerations for Both Apparatuses

Regardless of which apparatus you choose, safety must always be paramount.

• Professional Instruction is Paramount: Always seek guidance from certified and experienced aerial instructors. They can teach proper technique, spotting, and safe progression.
• Equipment Inspection: Regularly inspect your fabric, rigging, carabiners, and other hardware for any signs of wear, tear, or damage. Never use compromised equipment.
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals. Do not push through pain, and allow for adequate rest and recovery. Progress gradually, respecting your current strength and flexibility limits.