Lining up at the bar

I felt like I was standing on top of the world. From the platform 23ft above the ground, I could see for miles across the New York skyline. But I tried to focus straight ahead as I nervously grabbed the bar, closed my eyes and jumped. One swooping motion later, I was flying. Then I was upside down, hair falling in my eyes but my spirit still soaring.

After an episode of Sex And The City, I followed, like many others, Carrie Bradshaw's path to fitness enlightenment. Billed as research for her column, Carrie enrolls in a flying trapeze course. After the initial terror, she confesses, 'In just two hours, I was hooked.'

And now, ladies and (quite a few) gentlemen, flying trapeze is enjoying dizzying success this side of the Atlantic as one of New Yorkers' hottest workouts.

'Flying trapeze is the "it" thing,' says Pauline Palacy, an instructor at London's Circus Space. 'We are now on a two to six-month waiting list. Men and women come here from all over the world looking for something different. They are bored of the usual gym workout. Flying is an adrenaline rush similar to a bungee jump - only here you can do it over and over again.'

Circus Space, the most notable of Britain's flying schools, has an evening trapeze course. But first you must get through the introduction course. For £40 you will learn the basics of flying and static trapeze, acrobatic balancing and juggling.

You have to go to New York for the towering 'big rig' but the flying school houses an indoor rig called a petit volant (French for 'small fly') that's 12ft high. Closer to the ground, the jump from it is faster, which equals a bigger adrenaline rush.

Jun Baietti, a beginner taking the introduction class, loves the kick: 'It's very physically demanding but an incredible high.'

Flying trapeze, like other acrobatic exercises, requires overall strength, but especially in the abdominals, arms, back and shoulders. Often compared to Pilates and physiotherapy, acrobatics forces the body to work against its own weight. Several circus schools believe in building your strength first and flying second. 'Flying trapeze is exciting, but if not done properly, can be potentially dangerous,' says Jackie Welbourne, an instructor at Bristol's Circus Maniacs. 'We use rope-climbing and static trapeze to ensure proper technique.'

'Acrobatics requires good mobility but stability as well,' adds Vince Cagliostro, a chartered physiotherapist at Kingston Hospital. 'Both stretching and strengthening of the muscles is necessary to prevent injury. Yoga and Pilates are excellent ways to stay flexible while also building core strength.'

Flying trapeze is also a great boost to your self-confidence. Bristol's Circo-Media used a portable flying rig in its outreach programme for underprivileged children which saw their selfesteem and self-reliance take off.

With everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker, Ground Force's Charlie Dimmock and - if rumours are believed - the Duchess of York flying high, trapeze has been elevated from circus act to adventure sport.

'The flying trapeze is something that everyone can do,' says Paul Cannon, instructor at Trapeze School New York and catcher to Sarah Jessica Parker. 'Sarah was scared like everyone else and left here wanting more. We warn people - try it and you will get addicted.'

The Circus Space, Coronet Street, Hoxton, London N1. Tel: 020 7613 4141, www.thecircusspace.co.uk