Everyone wants to feel lean and sexy right? These days you no longer have to join expensive gyms because you can easily get a yoga swing and trapeze stand in the comfort of your own home. This incredible new tool helps you gracefully stretch and build core strength while getting the added benefits of a high intensity aerial yoga workout!
With the proper swing and stand you can feel secure that you won’t fall on your head during pigeon pose. In this review, we’ll show you the absolute best ones and why.
Quick Answer: 5 Best Yoga Swings
What Is a Yoga Swing?
A yoga swing, sometimes called a yoga trapeze, aerial yoga hammock, or yoga hammock, is used in aerial yoga as a way of supporting your body and helping you achieve positions that would be impossible from the ground. They’re usually made from a silk or silk like material that can hold a max weight of about 300 pounds on average.
While the materials are the same among yoga swings, there’s a variety of handle styles. Some use curtains of silk as handles while others may have one, two or even three sets of plastic with foam handles.
You might think you need a lot of space or huge trapeze frames to hang your swing from. But I have good news for you, a yoga swing can easily be hung on everything from a tree branch to an anti-gravity yoga frame and they can fold up into a tight little package that’s easy to travel with.
Despite looking super cool, the swing isn’t just about style. Aerial yoga has many stress relieving and health benefits. In fact, by using the swing as a form of inversion therapy you can relieve pressure on your spine and increase blood flow to your brain.
They’re also a great tool for both advanced and beginner yogis. Since the aerial hammock can support your weight in sensitive areas, its almost like a scaffolding. It helps you avoid injuries by preventing overstretching or tensing up when you find yourself in a tough spot.
For advanced practitioners, the swing offers you the opportunity to deepen your stretches and practice the weightless art of aerial yoga. And of course, you can get a high intensity workout if you desire that.
The Benefits of an Anti-gravity Swing
Because you’re using a swing instead of practicing yoga on the floor, you get the benefits of both normal yoga and inversion therapy. You can do a full aerial workout or combine the use of your swing as a stretching tool while doing yoga on the ground.
The combination of exercises is endless since your swing can also be used in a similar fashion to a TRX and even be used for stretching (think bar class) and balancing exercises.
On top of the notable increased flexibility, more benefits of the hammock are that you can decompress your spine and relieve pressure from those delicate disks between your vertebrae. It’s a perfect tool if you sit at a desk for most of the day.
You’ll also be increasing blood flow and oxygen to your brain and other vital organs. Every time you stretch and compress your body, you’re forcing blood and oxygen deeper into your organs and detoxing your lymphatic system. When you’re upside down in pigeon position gravity is pulling more blood down into your brain resulting in higher oxygen levels.
Beyond the clear health benefits, the inversion swing also assists you in deeper positions such as back bends. We all know how it feels to be humbled by the back bend your 8 year old niece made look so easy. And because the swing helps you achieve deeper positions, you’re building a strong core and elongating your muscles at the same time. Bottom line, if you want a lean and toned look, the swing can help you get there.
Who is a Yoga Swing For?
The good news about a yoga swing is that it can be used by both beginner and advanced yogis alike. And in some cases, it’s even better for a beginner to go ahead and start with. Because the swing has many handles, ropes and the U-shaped hammock, it can be used to stabilize your body during hard moves. This is especially important when starting out because you may not have the flexibility or core strength to safely perform these positions.
How to Install Your Swing
As soon as you look at a picture of a yoga swing, you probably think there’s just no way you can have one at home. Fortunately, once these sweet little tools went mainstream two things happened:
- You no longer have to join an expensive Pilates studio to get access
- They became super user friendly and easy to install at home
The swing can be hung from a stand, an exposed beam, from the ceiling, from a tree, and from a doorway. These days there’s more places TO hang the swing than not. If you hang it from the ceiling just make sure you drill into studs and if you’re not sure how, have a contractor handle this for you.
Review of the Best Yoga Swings
1. UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing – Ultra Strong
Our Rating
The UpCircleSeven anti-gravity swing is an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced yogis. Its affordably priced, comes in several vibrant colors and it’s crafted from ultra-strong parachute material rated to hold up to 550 lbs (3 adult men).
This swing features 3 foam padded handles, 2 extension straps to further adjust the height of your swing and a nice carry bag. The trade-off with this swing is that its made from ultra strength parachute material which doesn’t stretch or give. For most people this isn’t a problem but if it bugs you then you can opt for a more expensive ultra strong silk swing (however silk swings tend to be significantly more expensive).
Overall this is a great starter swing that’s built to last and can really help you sculpt that toned body image.
Pros
- Ultra strong material
- Very lightweight
- 3 foam padded handles for any position
- Comes in several vibrant colors
- Includes a carry bag
- Includes extension straps
- Portable enough to bring anywhere
Cons
- Parachute material has no “give” to it
2. YogaBody Naturals Yoga Trapeze
Our Rating
The YogaBody official swing is a perfect tool to alleviate back pain and build your core strength. It comes in several colors, has a little carrying bag and includes a DVD showing you how to get started with your new swing.
They also include easy to follow YouTube videos for setup (I put one below this review box). The swing features three rubber grip handles to accommodate any yoga position and includes a 10 year warranty!
Bottom line, if you want a swing that’s guaranteed to be both comfortable and reliable, choose this. And since its the same swing used in YogaBody studios around the world, you get the same quality without the cost of a monthly membership.
Pros
- Official swing used in YogaBody Studios
- Three gym grade, rubber coated handles for strength and versatility
- Includes a 10 year warranty
- Comes with a yoga routine DVD
- Includes a nice carry bag
- Constructed from a nylon/polyester blend similar to parachute swings
- Can be set up in minutes
- Easy to use
Cons
- Material doesn’t “give” or stretch
3. Yogatail Aerial Yoga Swing – Gym Strength
Our Rating
The Yogatail swing makes an affordable addition to any yoga routine. It currently comes in several bright, two tone color options and includes extra large carabiners and climber tested straps for hanging. Its constructed from an ultra-light parachute material that offers both strength and durability while being soft against your skin.
The hammock includes three handles on each side which can be used for building both strength and flexibility. The handles themselves are a pvc material with foam padding. Some people have had trouble with the handles breaking though. If you weigh over 200 lbs I would use the YogaBody swing instead. Otherwise you should have no problems with this swing for a very long time.
The entire package comes in a neat little carrying bag so you can easily travel with your swing to the park, beach or wherever you go.
Pros
- Comes in two tone bright colors
- Gym Strength material
- Affordably priced
- Three handles on each side of the swing
- Includes set up instructions
- Includes a convenient travel bag
Cons
- Not a lot of give to the material
- Handles are not as strong as other swings
4. Agptek Yoga Trapeze
Our Rating
The Agptek yoga trapeze is another great option for a home yoga swing. As of this writing, it’s only offered in the color pictured above. However, if you like it you’re in luck! The hammock includes three PVC handles covered in foam for added comfort and versatility.
My only issue with the swing is that it includes carabiners for mounting but does not include straps. This isn’t a problem if you have straps or something similar but most of the other options do include straps and a carry bag. I recommend you get a trapeze (reviewed below) or mounting kit/door straps. Once you have those, it takes about 5 minutes to set up so you’ll be in the air in no time!
Pros
- Can hold up to 600 lbs
- Three handles for added versatility
- Light weight parachute material
- Easy set up
Cons
- Limited color options
- No mounting straps included
- No carrying bag or DVD
5. Healthy Model Life Aerial Yoga Hammock
Our Rating
The Healthy Model Life is a full on yoga hammock. It doesn’t include the handles which may or may not be necessary depending on what you plan on doing. If you’re just starting out, I would get one that includes the handles or get a set handles for this one. The reason is that you’ll want the option to do anything with your hammock. Once you’re more advanced, you’ll know what positions you love and whether or not you need handles.
The kit includes the carabiners and mounting straps so if you have an exposed beam or solid tree branch you won’t need any other hardware. The set also includes a nice cotton carrying bag and yoga DVD showing you how to get started. The hammock is over-sized at 12.5 x 9.2 feet so if you want a large hammock, this is the one to go with.
Overall this is a great tool for all of the normal aerial yoga poses. If you want an added level of versatility get a set that comes with the handles until you become more advanced in your practice.
Pros
- Extra large hammock
- Includes a full yoga class DVD
- Easy set up
- Includes carabiners and straps
- Soft cotton carry bag for easy transportation
- Feels really nice to lie and stretch in
Cons
- Doesn’t include handles
- Currently only offered in one color
Review of The Best Yoga Swing Stands
1. YogaBody Trapeze Stand (official) for Yoga Swings
Our Rating
The YogaBody stand is built with rock solid construction. It’s made with professional grade stability in mind so you can use it on uneven surfaces like grass if you’re putting it outside and it works equally well inside but may be a little too big. It only takes a few minutes to set up and can be done by one person but two would be better.
Everything you need for this stand is included in the package and the straps that come with your hammock can easily be wrapped around the top of this so no additional mounting equipment is required.
The stand is 9.8 x 9.8 x 9.8 so you have plenty of room under and around you for practice. Overall this is a solid stand that provides amazing stability and can double as a stand for heavy bags, Olympic rings and as a pull up bar.
Pros
- Highly stable
- Provides lots of room for your aerial yoga practice
- Can hold up to 600 lbs
- Remains stable on uneven surfaces
- Can be used inside and outside
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Higher cost than an indoor stand
- May not be appropriate for those with small yards or limited space indoors
2. YogaBody Naturals Yoga Trapeze Door Frame Bar
Our Rating
8 screws, two brackets, and a removable bar; it doesn’t get any easier than this. The door-mounted bar can be installed by anyone and even has a video on the Amazon product page to show you how. It’s a very convenient way to get started quickly and only requires that you have a wooden door frame that you can screw into.
With this bar you’ll want to make sure that you have enough room in your doorway or the hallway to accommodate your yoga swing. As long as you have that, you’re good to go!
Pros
- Super easy set up
- Very inexpensive way to get your swing hung up
- Doubles as a pull-up bar
- Installation video in the product page (and below)
- Can be hung in any wooden door frame
Cons
- There’s really no con’s to this one. As long as you have the space, this is a great option.
3. JGS Heavy Duty Swing Hangers
Our Rating
Perhaps the most affordable option to hang a yoga swing, these solid metal brackets are a very strong way to get in the air quickly. They include the two main brackets rated to hold up to 1800 lbs and solid metal carabiners with screw locks on them.
If you have a garage or large room for your swing these are probably best combination of both affordability and versatility. Just make sure you screw these into a strong wooden beam in the ceiling; this is very important so if you’re not sure how, have a contractor install them.
The only dislike about these is that they don’t include the bolts. You can get those here.
Other than that, this is a great mix of quality, affordability and functionality. Overall it’s our favorite option for mounting your swing indoors.
Pros
- Can hold up to 1800 lbs
- Very affordable
- Versatile – you can hand a heavy bag, rings, and many other things from these brackets
- Rust resistant so they also work outdoors
- Quite – they have industrial plastic washers that keep creeks and sounds to a minimum
Cons
- Mounting bolts are not included
Our Pick For The Best Swing and Trapeze Stand
Every option in this review provides a good mix of affordability, comfort and quality. That being said, of all the products reviewed the top picks for yoga swing are as follows:
Both swings are amazingly high quality for the cost and offer the versatility to do both yoga and other exercises. They both include a nice carry bag, extension straps and as a result can be transported and used anywhere. The YogaBody hammock is our number one choice because of the 10 year warranty and DVD included with the package.
Our pick for the best stands are as follows:
Both of these mounts offer quick and easy set up and an affordable price. While the large trapeze stand is another great option, it didn’t make the cut because, unless you have a large empty space in your house, it doesn’t work well indoors.
The top two indoor mounts are multi-purposed (you can hang lots of stuff from them), they take ten minutes to set up and they don’t get in the way at all. The JGS mounts are the number one choice because they can be mounted in the ceiling thus providing maximum space around you. The door frame bar is second only because you’re required to use a door frame and thus you are limited by having a door frame on both sides of you.
How To Choose The Best Yoga Swing
Size of Your Yoga Swing
Yoga hammocks can vary in size from smaller to large. The largest yoga hammock on this list is the Healthy Model Life Yoga Hammock which has a 12.5 x 9.2 foot space. This is perfect if your a larger person or want a yoga swing that doubles as a hammock that you can comfortably lie and read in.
Another factor to consider beyond the actual hammock size is whether or not the swing is adjustable height. Most of them hang low from your ceiling but as long as you make sure its adjustable before you buy, you’ll be fine.
What Are You Using The Yoga Swing For?
Although its not a critical factor since most yoga swings serve multiple purposes, you may want to consider what you’re using the swing for. This can play a role in how you mount your swing, the actual model of swing you purchase and the dimensions of your swing.
If you’re doing aerial yoga, you may want to try a larger swing with silk handles. If you’re dealing with back pain and want a swing that’s ideal for someone with limited movement, consider a swing with handles to help you up and out of your inversion. And along the same lines, if you’re inverting, you may want a taller trapeze stand such as the YogaBody Trapeze Stand which gives you more height to invert.
Portability Of Your Swing
Most yoga hammocks fold up into a tiny little package that can fit in your purse or backpack. So if you’re someone who travels often, prefers to do outdoor aerial yoga or just wants a swing you can take down and store in the closet, make sure yours has that functionality.
Can it Support Your Weight?
Before settling on your final purchase, you’ll want to check the weight limit on your swing. While many hammocks can support 300+ lbs., the handles may not be able to support that much weight without breaking.
Its a good idea to check out the reviews before purchasing but the YogaBody Naturals Trapeze Stand (our top choice) has a 10 year warranty and no issues with the handles so far. But if something did happen with the handle, you could always send it in for a replacement. Also consider the weight limit of the hammock itself before purchasing since that’s the part that takes the majority of your weight.
Does Your Yoga Swing Have a Warranty?
Even though we don’t anticipate our new purchase breaking, a nice warranty always helps you feel more secure. Yoga swings are designed to be durable so they can support your full weight while moving and performing aerial yoga. As a result, its not likely the actual swing will break. But the handles and other parts could break which would make your swing less convenient. With that said, you may want to check the warranty before buying.
