Cyr and German Wheels

Cyr and German wheels are large wheel-shaped props that the performer stands inside of and executes gymnastic and acrobatic figures. The Cyr wheel is a single circle, whereas the German wheel has horizontal bars connecting two circles. Both are made from strong metal and are increasingly popular in the circus world. Firetoys is the best place to buy German and Cyr wheels in the UK – we stock high quality wheels for professional performers or amateurs with deep enough pockets and plenty of room!

The Cyr wheel was popularised by Daniel Cyr in 2003, though similar props have been in existence since the 19^th century. Since Daniel Cyr gave the discipline its extra impetus by winning a silver medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris in 2003 its popularity has grown quickly and Cyr wheels now feature in many circuses throughout the world.

The German wheel is also known as a gymnastics wheel, gym wheel or Rhönrad. This device has its origins in gymnastics rather than circus but is increasingly being seen outside of the competitive gymnastics circuit. The German wheel was invented by Otto Feick in the 1920s and today many countries around the world compete in wheel gymnastics. This sport remains at its most popular in its country of invention, Germany.

The UK has a wheel gymnastics team, the Torwood Wheelers, based in Suffolk. The Torwood Wheelers have been running workshops and performing at BJCs over the last few years allowing more people to learn how to use a German wheel.