Matthew Jenkin swings into action and tries his hand at trapeze at the Cator Park Sports Centre in Beckenham.

WHEN it was suggested I go swinging in Beckenham, my first question was where’s the party? Ready to throw caution to the wind, I felt excited to take part in a spot of retro partner swapping in the name of serious journalism.

So you can imagine my surprise when I found myself hanging on for dear life to a trapeze.

News Shopper: Trapeze instructor Amanda Miles teaches Matthew Jenkin the ropes

Run by instructor and cabaret performer Amanda Miles, My Aerial Home’s weekly classes at the Cator Park Sports Centre are not only a foot in the door for anyone tempted to run away and join the circus, but are also a fun, stress busting alternative to the gym.

Grace and glamour may be the image of trapeze for many, but for anyone under the illusion this is a girl’s discipline, think again.

Daring young men on the flying trapeze may appear to fly through the air with the greatest ease, but that is only because underneath their sequinned leotards is the ripped body of a gymnast.

With an emphasis on upper body strength and crunching those core muscles, it’s the perfect exercise regime for blokes dreaming of washboard abs.

So with fantasies of being able to pose topless on the beach without sucking in my flabby one pack, I watched Amanda as she demonstrated with disarming ease how to mount, stretch and stand on the trapeze — the first, basic steps.

News Shopper: Edward Hurley and Emily Cross show how it should be done

Feeling slightly more ridiculous than usual, I grip the trapeze with my thumbs underneath and hook my legs awkwardly over into the so-called pike position, before heaving my body up and eventually standing upright, teetering on the balls of my feet.

Despite working out two or three times a week, my upper body felt as if it was made of jelly and my arms were like brittle twigs, ready to snap with the slightest pressure.

Nevertheless, it was an adrenaline rush and elated at having completed one move, albeit in the least elegant way possible, I felt ready to learn something slightly less vertiginous.

Twisting her hips to become wedged in the swing and elongating her body gracefully to the side, Amanda showed me how to perform the moon-fish.

I followed her instructions and swayed to one side, imagining an audience, no doubt pelting rotten fruit and vegetables at me from below.

News Shopper: Matthew Jenkin attempts the graceful moon-fish

Amanda’s patience and warmth of character makes her the perfect teacher, but feeling exhausted and staring at my palms, red raw from gripping too tightly, I realised I had a long way to go before I’m confidently swinging from the rafters.

It may be tougher than it looks, but it definitely beats running on a treadmill.

If you want to see how it should be done and be inspired to try it yourself, then pop along to a class or check out the school’s Christmas show on December 11.

To find out more and to book a lesson, visit myaerialhome.co.uk