Last year’s Aerialympics was so packed, organizers are moving to a venue with a little more wiggle room.

“Last year we sold over 600 seats at Peery’s Egyptian Theater,” said Shaley Williamson, owner of Kairos Fitness studios in Ogden and Syracuse. “This year, at the Davis Conference Center, we can seat 1,000. It’s just a big ballroom. We are building a stage, building everything we need.”

The second annual event will be May 29 and 30, and will focus on pole and aerial performances, which can include use of ropes, silks, hoops and more.

“It’s going to be a great show,” said Williamson, 28, of Layton. “We have more lighting options and higher ceilings. The aerialists can go up more.”

The 2014 Aerialympics featured 43 performers. This year, more than 50 competitors are expected, and others are scheduled for exhibition performances.

Expect different styles, Williamson said.

“A lot of performers like to develop characters. Sometimes they have a story to tell, and sometimes they want to string specific movements together, working to a song. Some are more acrobatic and trick-oriented. Others are more dancey.”

Williamson’s own style is to combine dance and drama.

“I like being entertaining and theatrical for my audiences,” she said. “I like to entertain. I throw in big tricks, but my main theme is entertaining.”

Williamson discovered aerial exercise less than three years ago.

“My mom actually got a Groupon for a different studio, which is no longer in business, and she asked me to go with her. After my first class, I got hooked.”

Working upside down is a thrill, Williamson said.

“People love to be upside down,” she said. “The weirdest thing happens. Once you feel it, you are addicted to being upside down. And hanging by your heels feels like flying.”

Aerial arts take strong and highly controlled muscles, of course, but there’s also a need to train skin.

“In the beginning of pole fitness practice and training, there is a necessary evil called ‘skin conditioning.’ This is when your arms, thighs, and hands are getting used to holding you on to the pole. After a short time this stops, and the friction-type feeling subsides, and hands become tougher.”

Skin contact is important, she said.

“We also need the use of our armpits, sides, stomach and thighs as grip. The poles are made of a material that with clothing will be slippery. But on skin, the pole material grips to the skin and helps us stay on and safe.”

A recital for Kairos’ youngest students, ages 3 through 13, will open festivities each evening.

Williamson hopes the event will raise general awareness regarding the aerial arts.

“We are trying to show athleticism and creativity, like you see in gymnastics and dance, and that is so much different than people expect,” she said, noting that some people associate poles with strippers and bars. “It’s an alternative form of fitness, and helps with muscle building and cardio endurance.”

And it’s fun to watch.

“It’s relatable for everyone, and it’s family friendly. “It’s beginners’ level through professional circus performer-type stuff. It’s going to be fun.”

Contact reporter Nancy Van Valkenburg at 801-625-4275 or nvan@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @SE_NancyVanV; on Facebook at facebook.com/SE_NancyVanV.

PREVIEW

• WHAT: Aerialympics
• WHEN: 5-9:30 p.m. May 29, 4-9:30 p.m. May 30
• WHERE: Davis Conference Center, 1651 N. 700 West, Layton
• TICKETS: $16.95 per day, $28.95/both days, www.dancekairos.com