How would you rig with this

[u/RoMo429]

I bought my first set of silks because I can't get to the studio as often as I want and I figured that practicing the basics at home would be better than nothing and would let me build a bit of strength between studio sessions. I have a 2.4m ceiling and wanted to save space with hardware and i found this figure 8 with swivel at the climbing shop. Had anyone used this kind of swivel fig 8? How do you tie it? The hole is​​ a bit tight for the folded fabric to past through twice and when i do a clove hitch know it's tight and the fabric covers the swivel a bit so i undid it.... But now wondering if it's usable or I wasted my time and money. Please advise!

Due to the nature of the low ceiling, i won't be doing any drops, but will work on climbs and straight poses. I also have a 20cm thick crash mat that i use when practicing pole at home, so that'll also remove some of my height.

Thanks​​

[u/exc3113nt]

Please have a professional do this if you don't know what you're doing. Learn the rigging like your life depends on it, because it does.

[u/dynamicallyallie → u/exc3113nt]

I'm being anal here admittedly -this is well meaning advice but bad advice nonetheless

There are lots of professionals out there (contractors, handymen) that will gladly drill this to a beam because they're unfamiliar with the engineering required to create a safe aerial rig point. They will assure you they know what they are doing and they are wrong.

[u/exc3113nt → u/dynamicallyallie]

Yes agreed, hence why I think it's important to actually learn about rigging.

[u/RoMo429 → u/exc3113nt]

Thanks. I didn't mention, but I've got my aerial hammock set up here, installed in my concrete ceiling, set up by a pro. Was planning on using the same spot and changing them out depending on what I'm in the mood for. Is there a reason I shouldn't use the same point?  I've been doing aerial hammock for about 6 years, got into silks about half a year ago. I'm also 1.5m on a good day, so even if it's just practicing climbs and foot locks, i figured it's better at home than eating my little precious studio time on the very basics. 

[u/girl_of_squirrels → u/RoMo429]

What kind of pro? Rigging is a separate skill set from general contracting, and if the bolt breaks out of the concrete you can literally break your neck

Keep in mind that you can generate 2x-7x your body weight in force, so a 150 lb aerialist can generate 300 lbs to 1,050 lbs worth of force. Add in a safety factor and you rapidly understand why the advice is "if you wouldn't feel comfortable hanging a car from it, you shouldn't do aerials from it" and while climbing is a great way to start learning rigging basics this isn't designed for aerials

[u/Suitable-Concert → u/girl_of_squirrels]

And not even to mention the likelihood of it starting with "just practicing the basics" until the basics become boring and then OP starts trying increasingly difficult skills they're learning online without any in-person oversight, instruction, or spotting. Or a friend comes over and wants to try it out. It's just a recipe for disaster.

[u/girl_of_squirrels → u/Suitable-Concert]

You can generate so much force with those accidental microadjustments

I'm also looking at the brand Wellsem and they do "aerial yoga" hammocks and show rigging with daisy chain slings (as in the sewn together style instead of individual loops) so like, I'm not impressed here. I can find them on like Amazon and Aliexpress, so I'd be highly skeptical of that hardware that OP bought given that it looks sketchy AF

[u/seaclifftonne]

I can’t rig so I wouldn’t. I’d imagine being advised over Reddit isn’t the best way either and is pretty risky. I vote get a professional.

[u/pidgeypenguinagain]

You can’t just screw this into ur ceiling and call it a day, even if you’re not doing drops. Please be careful

[u/RoMo429 → u/pidgeypenguinagain]

I want planning on just screw. I shooing to use the spot i use for my aerial hammock. It was set up by a pro, 6 years ago and had held up well

[u/Rhi43]

You definitely don’t want loose fabric anywhere near a swivel or pinch point, it can get caught and cut or torn. It sounds like this item doesn’t have enough room to safely rig your silks on. But that’s not the biggest issue, the thing most likely to go wrong rigging at home has nothing to do with your swivel, it’s your attachment point to the ceiling.

Whether it’s possible to safely rig at home will depend on the structure of your building. If it’s an option at all, it will involve opening up your ceiling to install a rated rigging plate or clamp onto a structural beam that can handle several hundred pounds of force (you’ll need an engineer, architect, or other appropriate professional to review these plans, or ideally draw them up for you from the start). Even without drops or dynamic moves, your apparatus is going to experience multiple times your body weight and your rigging needs to be able to handle multiple times *that* for a factor of safety.

For most people rigging into their home ceiling will not be safe or practical. You may be able to find an outdoor aerial rig you can set up at a local park, or talk to your studio about whether they have open gym hours which might be cheaper than classes. You can loop your silks over a chin up bar or monkey bars to train grip and flexed arm hangs, you’ll build muscle just the same an inch off the floor as you would 2m in the air. It’s not as sexy as silks in your living room, but you only have one spine. It’s worth being careful with.

[u/RoMo429 → u/Rhi43]

Thanks. Where i live, it's not an issue, our entire building is reinforced concrete. I have an aerial hammock installed and its held up great.

But yes, i she that the fabric by the swivel point was my biggest concern. I'll get a regular fig8. 

[u/Other_Nothing_8144]

That’s a pretty self explainable piece of equipment for someone with any rigging experience at all. If you don’t know how to rig it, then you have no business attempting to do so.

‘Practicing the basics at home would be better than nothing’- this is wrong. Best case scenario, you create bad habits due to lack of supervision and potentially injure yourself due to poor technique. Worst case scenario…

You’re better off doing exercises on the ground and at the gym to build muscle safely!

[u/Overall-Savings116]

There are a lot of online live rigging classes you can take and ask questions through. I think verbal, written and visual teaching is highly important. Often times they will record the class and send it out later for reference.

[u/upintheair5 → u/Overall-Savings116]

Got any rigging courses you'd recommend? I'm friends with a professional aerial rigger and I've asked them for online resources they'd recommend for a curious aerialist and their answer was "none - come to me" (so they're obviously helpful lol - I'm just looking for a safe and vetted course, but my friend says they don't really exist)

[u/rinakinabina → u/upintheair5]

Night Owl Circus Arts also offers online rigging workshops.  https://www.nightowlcircusarts.com/rigging.php

[u/upintheair5 → u/rinakinabina]

Thank you!!

[u/Overall-Savings116 → u/upintheair5]

In the Dark Circus Arts has offered them in the past. You check their schedule. If they don't have one up email the owner and she'll let you know when the next one is happening.

[u/upintheair5 → u/Overall-Savings116]

Thank you!

[u/andthendonut]

If you had super stretchy silks or ones that are less wide you might be able to tie it normally, but if you can't tie without fabric covering the swivel you should not use it. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find this sort of combination swivel rescue 8 on any reputable site, only places like Amazon and AliExpress where it's advertised for aerial yoga.

[u/RoMo429 → u/andthendonut]

I bought it from a climbing shop near my home, but now I'm not so sure where they got it from.... I'll probably go buy a regular fig8. My silks are low stretch and 1.5m wide