A Vegas High-Wire Walker Shares His 4 Top Moves to Build Balance
High-wire walker Almas Meirmanov shares how he keeps his balance in a city full of temptation.
Vegas is a city of excess. Bigger is definitely better, and this is a place where people tend to party hard before they go back home. You can actually feel the difference between the energy on the plane going to Vegas, when everyone is pumped-up and ready to roll, and leaving Vegas, when everyone is tired and hungover! And while there’s nothing wrong with a weekend of all-out fun, you can actually be healthy in this city.
Personally, I walk everywhere, especially to go get my favorite croissants in the morning—they taste better when I’ve burned a few calories!—and I try to keep up my morning yoga routine. If you have a car, there are actually some really amazing places to go hiking, like Red Rock Canyon, and you can find some unique classes too.
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To get more tips on how to stay balanced—literally—in this party town, I checked in with Almas Meirmanov, part of a trio of high-wire walkers at Absinthe, the new Spiegelworld show at Caesars Palace.
A native of Russia, Almas came to the States with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
The 30-year-old performer, who learned the ropes with the Flying Wallendas, says he’s become so used to the show, it doesn’t even feel like a workout. So, on top of his daredevil feats, he gets in a one-hour session at his boutique gym almost every day except Sundays, which are lazy days when he sleeps in until 8:30 a.m. “In order to keep myself healthy, I have to work out regularly, but I also need that day off,” he explains.
Almas is also the owner of boutique fitness studio Intermix in Henderson, NV.
His workouts are a combination of cardio—usually 20 minutes on the stationary bike—body weight-training like push-ups and pull-ups, and mat exercises to strengthen his core. And, of course, stability is key when it comes to the crazy stunts he performs nightly on the high wire. Here are his top moves for improving your balance and tapping into your inner circus performer.
A high-wire workout is a physical challenge and a mental one as well. It’s about getting yourself to trust your body and building confidence. All three of these exercises are ones I teach in my classes and I do them myself, too. They use a very basic piece of equipment called a balance disc. It’s a 12-inch circular rubber disc that gets filled up with air—and you stand on it. Many gyms have them and you can also find them online, but I’ve also included variations if you don’t have access to one.
Balancing Squat
The first step in mastering balancing squats is just to find your balance!
First, begin a very basic pose, and just stand on the balance disc.
Once you get comfortable on the disc, stand with both feet together and do squats, 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps.
Once you’ve built up your endurance, the next step is to try a single-leg squat, with one leg in the center of the disc and the other extended in front of you. Go for 10 to 15 reps on each side for 3 sets.
If you don’t have a balance disc, you can use a kitchen chair. Put one foot on the chair and do your single-leg squats.
Work your way up to the more advanced single-leg squat.
Related: Giada De Laurentiis’ Tummy Tightening Workout
Static Hold
The push-up hold can be done with a balance disc.
For this exercise, you can use that same disc or you can also use any sort of round ball (medicine ball, basketball, volleyball) that’s big enough to place both your hands on.
The beginner move is a push-up hold. Your hands are on the disc and your feet are together and you just hold and balance. You should feel this in your arms and shoulders and it gets your core working as well!
Start out with holding for 15 to 20 seconds, and once you get up to a minute, you can advance to the Side Star.
The push-up hold can also be done with any ball that’s large enough to accommodate both of your hands.
Side Star
Almas makes the side star pose look easy, but if you can hold it for 30 seconds, consider yourself a pro!
With your left hand on the disc or ball and your left foot on the floor, place your right hand on your hip and lift your right leg up in the air.
The Side Star is tough, so start with holding for 15 to 20 seconds; if you get to 30 seconds, you’re pretty advanced!
Related: Sweaty In Style
Balanced Core
Your hips engage to keep your balance from side to side while your core keeps you from toppling forward or backward.
This move can be done with a disc or a big yoga ball.
Sit on the disc or ball, with your tailbone right in the center and your hands in front of you.
Once you feel comfortable, lift up your feet, using your hips and your core to keep your balance.
Try to hold for 15 to 20 seconds to start and work up to a minute, or even two!
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