The use of chairs as props in acrobatic activities falls into three broad categories: balancing, vaulting and contortion.

Balancing

In chair

Chair

A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...

 balance acrobatics

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...

one or more acrobats balance on one or more chairs. The chair(s) may be balanced on other objects and/or on just one or two legs while the acrobat(s) themselves may also perform balancing acts on the chair.

Vaulting

In chair vaulting the acrobat jumps or tumbles over the chair. Sometimes the chair is used as a launching platform and sometimes it is carried by the athlete while performing the vault.

Contortion

Chair contortionists use the chair as a prop for moulding their bodies around.