FAQ Page

“Boy That sure is a big hula hoop.” It’s a Cyr Wheel! Pronounced like the word “seer”. It’s a big, metal ring that I spin, flip, and twist in.

Daniel Cyr developed the Cyr Wheel as a circus apparatus around 1996. It has grown wildly in popularity over the past 25+ years.

For most people, yes. It takes a lot of practice. But it’s also very accessible! You don’t have to be a pro athlete to start – especially with online coaching!

Check out my blog post: “CoachNick’s Professional Equipment Recommendations and Affiliate Brands” for equipment information, recommendations, and coupons!

I currently perform with a 5-piece, steel, 71″ Zimmermann wheel (my favorite).

When we have LEDs, I perform with a 5-piece, 69″ LED Pixel wheel from Circus Concepts.

I also have a 5-piece, steel, 70” wheel with clear PVC from Anton’s Etsy shop – Cyr Wheel Ukraine.

I’d recommend starting with a 5-piece wheel. Steel (or whatever the heavier option is – no light wheels). Diameter should be 3-5” more than your height.

Depending on your means, I’d recommend having one wheel you use for performance (or ONLY indoors) and one wheel you use wherever (outdoors or both). If you can’t afford two wheels, don’t worry! Use your first one only indoors OR both. Then when you get a second wheel, make that your indoor wheel.

Indoor Locations: Gymnasiums, fitness gyms, recreation centers, dance studios, circus gyms, racquetball courts.

Outdoor Locations: Stages, tennis courts, basketball courts, downtown plazas, local parks, pavilions, asphalt, cement. Notes: Anywhere that’s hard, flat, and level.

“Wreck?” no… Wear down, yes. If you’re worried about the surface… Rub an orange against it and see if it’s scratched. We usually recommend having an indoor and outdoor wheel if possible.

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My wheels weigh about 35-50+ lbs.

Most wheels are steel or aluminum with PVC on the outside.

Yes, you can! Most wheels break down into multiple pieces that fit into a bag. You can toss it in your car or check it as luggage for flights.

Hard cases: I have a pelican rifle case that locks for international travel. It fits my wheel, rope, a soft case/bag, and a couple other circus things! I bring the soft case along to move just the wheel since the hard case can be a hassle.

 Soft cases: I’d recommend most-any Cyr Wheel bags. There are various makers. But Snowboard bags, golf bags, and other specialty sports equipment bags work as well. If you don’t have a bag, you can use Velcro straps or bungee cords to transport the wheel instead.

Be sure to check out my blog post: “CoachNick’s Professional Equipment Recommendations and Affiliate Brands” for coupons!

Absolutely! I’ve competed in both the national championship and world championship competitions. I’m also the Cyr Wheel ambassador for team USA. You can find out more information about competition by checking out the International Wheel Gymnastics Federation.

Additionally, the tutorials on this site are organized based on the IRV Cyr Wheel competition catalogue.

That’s right! Cyr wheel was first recognized as a circus apparatus. It’s been in Cirque du Soleil Corteo, Zumanity, Luzia, and more!

I clean and tighten my wheel once daily for shows. To clean it, I spray isopropyl alcohol on a rag and rub the wheel until it’s free of marks.

I don’t clean my training wheel all that often. But, when I do, I clean it the same way.

Wheels may squeak for a couple of reasons:

— Is it loose? Some wheels can loosen with use during a spin session. Make sure to check that the bolts are securely tightened periodically before/during/after spin sessions if you notice noise (creaking), give, or looseness.

— Is it new PVC? Depending on its newness/wear and the surface the wheel is spinning on, it may squeak when spinning. This may just be the freshness or thickness of the PVC or training surface.