Adults master circus arts in Huntingdon Valley

HUNTINGDON VALLEY (WTXF) - These kids are mastering circus arts.

So what are these "way past circus prime" adults doing here?

They're just looking for a new way to become physically fit.

They are among a growing group of adults seeking a break from their day-in-day-out treadmilling and weight-lifting.

"It's different and a lot more fun," Sonia said.

"It's workout in the air," Nadia said.

They're here at the Acrobatic School of Circus Art to get off the mat - and do something more "daring".

"Where you gonna find apparatus like that in a regular gym?"

It brings out your inner child - in the mind....

But the body?

"Just follow me - we're going to start with the jogging."

Not so fast - says instructor Nadia Tarasova.

"Five, 6, 7, 8 (shake out) Raise your hands up."

The warmup is a workout.

"Roll forward as far as you can."

The former pro circus acrobat and gymnast -- she says safety is key.

"Make sure all your body parts are ready for aerial workout."

Sonia Simpson is getting the hang of it.

"I just kinda do it to compliment more of my training."

For competitive cycling, body building, cross country.

"You don't need to just hang there and try to do a pull up - you want to do the pull up, get in there and make it look pretty."

"I've kinda like falling and I hold on for some reason it has been close encounters."

"No I am not scared, I like actually exercises but I don't have enough time to do it."

This may be fun enough Mariana Pavlichaka says to get back into her groove.

"I feel all my muscles, like stretch my muscles, feels so good now, refreshed."

"I'm trying different things to see what I can do now."

Regina Dornik is a breast cancer survivor trying to rebuild upper body strength. She held her own.

"It was scary and my head was spinning but I tried."

Val Luchko - school owner, former gymnast and circus performer tries to go easy on the guys.

"When I first came in I thought this is for girls kinda stuff. I've actually never seen guys do this kind of workout like that."

"Girl stuff" max?

Rich found out quickly too.

"It's OK, I don't think I'd like to do it every single day. I can think of a better workout to do."

He felt the burn - Max too.

"It's a great workout. I feel all my muscles right now."

So how hard can a silk sling be?

"There's only one way to find out."

Taking the real easy way out.