Static trapeze refers to a trapeze act in which the performer moves around the bar and ropes, performing a wide range of movements including balances, drops, hangs while the bar itself stays mostly in place. The difficulty on a static trapeze is making every move look effortless. It is like dance, in that most people of a reasonable level of strength can get onto the bar for the first time and do the tricks but an experienced artist will do them with much more grace and style.
Swinging trapeze (or swinging single trapeze) refers to an act performed while the trapeze swings. The performer builds up swing from a still position, and uses the momentum of the swing to execute their tricks. There are many tricks that are only possible on a swinging trapeze and most of them are more difficult than tricks on a static trapeze.
Usually these tricks are thrown on the peaks of the swing and involve 
exceptional dynamic movements that require excellent timing. Most of the tricks begin with the performer sitting or standing on the bar and end with the performer catching the bar in his/her hands or in an ankle hang (hanging off of the ankles by bracing them between the rope and the bar). This act requires a great deal of strength, grace, and flexibility. The swinging trapeze bar is weighted and often has cable inside the supporting ropes for extra strength.
Flying trapeze refers to a trapeze act where a performer, or “flyer,” grabs the trapeze bar and jumps off a high platform, or pedestal board, so gravity creates the swing. The swing’s parts are the cast out at the far end of the first swing, the beat back and rise as the performer swings back above the pedestal board, and then the trick is thrown at the far end of the second swing. The performer often releases the bar and is caught by another performer, the “catcher,” who hangs by his knees on another trapeze, or sometimes on a cradle, which can be either stationary or also swinging. A flyer rarely weighs more than about 68 kg (150 pounds) to avoid damaging the catcher’s shoulders, although people of any size are able to execute basic trapeze maneuvers. Flying trapeze is done over a net, or occasionally over water for a special exhibition.
