The Swingin' Gym / Flying Cages ride

[ejot]

The Swingin' Gym, or Flying Cages, was a popular amusement attraction primarily in the 1960's, though some installations lasted much longer. Hundreds of examples could be found in traveling shows and at parks such as Knoebels, Kennywood, Conneaut Lake, Chippewa Lake, Idora, Steel Pier, Keansburg, Palisades, Lagoon, and many more.

 

The ride consisted of a restraint-less, enclosed cage that swings in a perfectly circular vertical loop while remaining upwardly-oriented, supported on each side by three rotating, counter-weighted arms. Typically 2-6 cages would be stacked side by side, each an individual ride. Inside the cage, completely free to move about, the rider would begin shifting his or her weight, making the cage swing back and forth, until it eventually swung a full loop. At that point, small coordinated shifts of the body would keep the cage spinning, potentially faster and faster.

 

Unfortunately, it was also at this point that the more uncoordinated of riders tended to make the wrong move at the wrong time and get flung about inside the cage. Eyes were blackened, teeth were chipped, bones were broken. Several accidents also saw operators and passers-by struck by rides in action. For better or for worse, The Swingin' Gym developed something of a reputation for danger, became nearly impossible to insure, and slowly but surely faded from view. Today, a few examples travel in Europe or run in Japanese parks.

 

The ride is not easy for all riders; many cannot get it to swing around. Even a quick ride gives an intense workout. This added to the danger, as you could be exhausted once it finally swung around, reducing your coordination.

 

Here is a Swingin' Gym under expert operation:

 

A simple internet search will locate a significant outpouring of modern-day enthusiasm for this long-lost attraction. They were once sufficiently ubiquitous that nearly any amusement-seeker with memories from the 60's and 70's has a story or two. Today, they are recognized by a small group of enthusiasts for their unique combination of thrill and exercise, and are occasionally lovingly restored or build from scratch for private use. A unique and incredibly nerdy discussion of the ride physics, and it's potential to collect human power, can be found here (not an amusement-related forum).

 

A non-Cedar Point installation in the Sandusky, OH area was still running around 2001, but is closed now. That of course means that no Swingin' Gyms now operate in North America ....

 

 

OR DO THEY?!

 

 

• I was shocked to recently stumble across the website for Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd, Minnesota apparently advertising an operating Flying Cages. A picture and a minimum rider height are posted here.

 

• A small traveling midway in Ohio also runs one.

 

 

So who has Swingin' Gym memories? Who knows of others? Can we compile a list of all the ones running now, anywhere in the world?

[canadianparkfan]

They've got a multi-axis version of one of these at a Science Museum I visited here in Canada last year.

 

Was pretty fun, and MUCH safer.

 

 

Also reminds me of a similar contraption that's apparently a big competitive sport in Europe.

 

Edited August 24, 2015 by robbalvey

[Nrthwnd]

There was a set of those at Rusutsu Park in Sapporo, Japan.

I finally decided to try it. And nearly killed myself trying.

Strength AND co-ordination is definitely needed (and timing!)

on one of these things.

Best shot David could get of me in the thing. TPR 2013 Japan Tour

[DirkFunk]

I saw this thread and immediately thought "Paul Bunyan Land". I think there's a weird walk through attraction out there too. The mysterious amusement places of the midwest...always full of surprises.

[palmerleeberry]

Oh yes oh yes I do remember those types of rides. I also remember back then that me and my sisters didn't have what it took to make it reach the top for a full revolution ( it'll always be back and forth, back and forth, hey, I think we can reach the top, [bRAKE] rats, the ride's over). If I was twenty years younger and by myself, I think I'll be able to reach the top. As for today, I'm not sure. I think I may want to stick to riding the Merry-Go-Rounds.