My boyfriend owns this ride, and it has been very successful, everyone lines up to ride this, so called very dangerous ride, the only danger is for the person working it, if you don’t follow the rules on how to run this ride the person who runs the ride is the only one in danger, children and ADULTS line up to ride this ride, I have been reading of people at large amusements parks getting hurt or killed on so called very safe rides, thank you carla snipes
I could so ride that thing for hours especally if I had another person with me to get it to a high speed I remember when I rode in that thing with my dad and his friend making it go insanely fast. looking at the size of the cage looks like it would only fit me but I’m ok with that just to ride it again would bring me much joy.
Sam Becker and I got one of these going like mad several times through the turnstile on the Midway at the Indiana State Fair. This had to be in the very early 1970s. I ran into one later at German Park’s Octoberfest in the 1980s, and Tim Altom and I could not get it over the top. The reason for this is that the operator had 4 of them going that night, but this one was sort of out of balance and the hardest to get going. He was being a real jerk and wouldn’t let us on the one that would actually go over. I did not have the presence of mind at the time to tip him. I haven’t seen one since. How I loved the Swingin’ Gym.
I worked for Carousel Amusements, a small 30 miler outfit in South Jersey in the 70’s, into the 80’s. We had Swinging Gyms, played on them before and after work. With a little practice, you could really make them move. They were fun, but dangerous. I saw many injuries, to people both in and outside of the cages. Broken bones inside the cages, on man wandered inside the fence drunk one night and the corner of the cage caught his shoulder on a downswing, almost ripped his arm off. Could have been much worse I imagine. A dog ran under and was crushed one night, I am grateful that I was not present for that. The state sent inspectors out one year, and had metal stress tests done on them, I heard they all failed and were outlawed….and so ours were scrapped. (or so we were told, Pop could have sold them out of state over the winter, who knows).
I ran one of these during a summer (1971 or 1972) traveling with Great American Shows owned by Rocky Dell. It was my favorite ride and I never saw anyone get hurt. The races we had from a standing start were very exhausting but I would love to give it a go one more time.
This was my absolute favorite ride as a kid! My brother and I would ride it endlessly. I don’t recall ever being hurt and I don’t recall anything about anyone else ever being hurt. Where can I get the statistics? Do they still have these around if someone wanted to have one? Thanks.
I just started working for a small outfit here in Indiana, and we have a fully operational swinging gym. We are taking it to small events through out Indiana. It is a great ride. And from what I have read it wasn’t some much the riders getting hurt, as it was the operators being stupid and running through the cage as it was swinging.
just wondering exactly wher you saw this ride for sale and if it had any price on it. my wife and i have talked about this ride for many years and thought they were extinct. we were in our 20’s and 30’s when we used to ride them and had a ball. i would really appreciate any more info on it. thank you, jeff and linda.
I would be interested in the plans or an existing ride to purchase. Is there any further info. On this ride. I also, loved this ride as a kid. There used to be a double cage, side by side at the Lake Arrowhead village, Ca. In the 70’s.
My sister and I got really going great on the ones at Arrowhead village in the ’70s! We were going all the way over in no time. We were a pretty good team!
I would like to purchase one if possible. This equipment is probably one of the best exersize machines I have ever used, you use all muscle groups in your body and its also very competitive. It has many creative uses.
anyone know where one is for sale, any condition, anywhere in the country, top dollar paid, finder/referral bonus happily paid too. text me anytime, 302-584-8187 thank you
I have one for sale
I run it at events all summer long but my age is making me want to down size a little as I have other games and foods too I won’t sell cheap it still makes good money but I only work on a small show where the money is not as great as it could be.
Billy McCoy designed this machine he was my mother-in-law’s great grandfather. He was adopted by the McCoys (yes, those West Virginia McCoys of the Hatfields and McCoy’s). Used at Coco Beach Fair ( which he started), & Petticoat Junction amusement park Panama City Florida.
I used to get it going so fast my feet would come off the floor. The ride attendant would hand my ticket back to me many times because I got on a lot and attracted people as I was making it look easy. It was just momentum. Bend down when it goes down and stand up when it goes up. Too easy, but was a workout.
Melissa Carter It was at our local Fireman’s Carnival. The ride was banned the following year due to my accident and several others. It was called the swinging gym. 2 people would get into like a cage. And you had to keep swinging your weight back-and-forth from side to side to try to get it to go over the top. Ours balanced at the top. I thought it was going to come down one way, so I was bracing my weight to go that way. It ended up coming down on the other side and the centrifical force Slammed my body against the side of the cage. I was twelve or thirteen at the time. My crush was there. I ended up getting off this Ride with a broken nose, blood streaming down my shirt. And my leg hurt like crazy. Not exactly the impression I was hoping to leave on this boy. L o l. I put the Fire Co. Training Into full Rescue Mode and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
The following day I had Raccoon Eyes And my leg in a cast from my hip to my ankle. I had developed a serious hematoma On my knee. The doctor had to go in and dig out the blood clots and Put the cast on. Due to the fact it was a straight cast, I had to take up the whole back seat of our Station Wagon, because I couldn’t bend my leg. My bedroom was on the second floor the only way I could get up The stairs was to bend at my hip and swivel my straight leg all the way out to the side for each step.That was our hottest summer on record! Typical day was 103! No swimming! I could have cried! With it being so hot, It itched like crazy! I undid a wire hanger and straightened it, so I could put it down in the cast to scratch. Needless to say, I was Thrilled when I could get the cast off! And I had a new Appreciation for the fact that Knees Bend! And my First Full Shower, Post Cast was like Heaven! The Fire Co. Gave me A Large Pink Dog From the carnival. I went back To the carnival two days later and everyone signed my cast.
My boyfriend owns this ride, and it has been very successful, everyone lines up to ride this, so called very dangerous ride, the only danger is for the person working it, if you don’t follow the rules on how to run this ride the person who runs the ride is the only one in danger, children and ADULTS line up to ride this ride, I have been reading of people at large amusements parks getting hurt or killed on so called very safe rides, thank you carla snipes
carla snipes - June 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 am
do you still have this ride?
Gary Durbin - July 25th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I could so ride that thing for hours especally if I had another person with me to get it to a high speed I remember when I rode in that thing with my dad and his friend making it go insanely fast. looking at the size of the cage looks like it would only fit me but I’m ok with that just to ride it again would bring me much joy.
Matt Owens - February 28th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Sam Becker and I got one of these going like mad several times through the turnstile on the Midway at the Indiana State Fair. This had to be in the very early 1970s. I ran into one later at German Park’s Octoberfest in the 1980s, and Tim Altom and I could not get it over the top. The reason for this is that the operator had 4 of them going that night, but this one was sort of out of balance and the hardest to get going. He was being a real jerk and wouldn’t let us on the one that would actually go over. I did not have the presence of mind at the time to tip him. I haven’t seen one since. How I loved the Swingin’ Gym.
Keith Palmer - August 30th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
I worked for Carousel Amusements, a small 30 miler outfit in South Jersey in the 70’s, into the 80’s. We had Swinging Gyms, played on them before and after work. With a little practice, you could really make them move. They were fun, but dangerous. I saw many injuries, to people both in and outside of the cages. Broken bones inside the cages, on man wandered inside the fence drunk one night and the corner of the cage caught his shoulder on a downswing, almost ripped his arm off. Could have been much worse I imagine. A dog ran under and was crushed one night, I am grateful that I was not present for that. The state sent inspectors out one year, and had metal stress tests done on them, I heard they all failed and were outlawed….and so ours were scrapped. (or so we were told, Pop could have sold them out of state over the winter, who knows).
Penni - October 1st, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I remember this ride well. It almost killed me. There isn’t much room between the bottom of the cage and the platform underneath it.
John Cook - April 29th, 2011 at 9:14 am
I ran one of these during a summer (1971 or 1972) traveling with Great American Shows owned by Rocky Dell. It was my favorite ride and I never saw anyone get hurt. The races we had from a standing start were very exhausting but I would love to give it a go one more time.
Dan Henshaw - July 10th, 2011 at 11:00 am
This was my absolute favorite ride as a kid! My brother and I would ride it endlessly. I don’t recall ever being hurt and I don’t recall anything about anyone else ever being hurt. Where can I get the statistics? Do they still have these around if someone wanted to have one? Thanks.
Kathie - August 29th, 2011 at 7:24 am
do you know where I can buy the same unit?
I love that ride
thanks
Tom
Tom O'Rourke - November 24th, 2011 at 9:14 am
would love to bye a flying cage.6037171938
lee camire - February 16th, 2012 at 4:23 am
Also interested in buying a set…
Call 443-677-7654
Jay King - March 11th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I just started working for a small outfit here in Indiana, and we have a fully operational swinging gym. We are taking it to small events through out Indiana. It is a great ride. And from what I have read it wasn’t some much the riders getting hurt, as it was the operators being stupid and running through the cage as it was swinging.
Gary - June 28th, 2012 at 3:26 am
I saw one of these rides for sale today in Pensacola Florida (Highway). It is mounted on a trailer.
Keith - July 15th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
just wondering exactly wher you saw this ride for sale and if it had any price on it. my wife and i have talked about this ride for many years and thought they were extinct. we were in our 20’s and 30’s when we used to ride them and had a ball. i would really appreciate any more info on it. thank you, jeff and linda.
jeff christopher - August 19th, 2012 at 10:57 am
I would love to buy one of these for my husband for Christmans. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks!
Leesa - December 2nd, 2012 at 11:31 pm
If someone will get me the build specs, I’ll build one. Then we can talk cost to build and deliver. I used to love this ride as a kid also.
Blair - May 16th, 2013 at 9:49 am
I would be interested in the plans or an existing ride to purchase. Is there any further info. On this ride. I also, loved this ride as a kid. There used to be a double cage, side by side at the Lake Arrowhead village, Ca. In the 70’s.
Bill johnson - November 27th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Please anyone know where a operating one is,or one for sale ?
jim rogers - December 12th, 2013 at 9:48 am
My sister and I got really going great on the ones at Arrowhead village in the ’70s! We were going all the way over in no time. We were a pretty good team!
Jon - February 10th, 2014 at 6:25 am
I would like to purchase one if possible. This equipment is probably one of the best exersize machines I have ever used, you use all muscle groups in your body and its also very competitive. It has many creative uses.
Rich - February 27th, 2014 at 9:33 am
iam looking for plans or to purchase two flying cages. no scams. call anytime 941-243-1990
mark g - March 26th, 2014 at 6:02 am
ALSO… CAN ANYONE EDUCATE ME IN REFERENCE TO THE INSURANCE COSTS..?
mark g - March 26th, 2014 at 6:04 am
anyone know where one is for sale, any condition, anywhere in the country, top dollar paid, finder/referral bonus happily paid too. text me anytime, 302-584-8187 thank you
Darius - January 27th, 2015 at 7:21 pm
I have one for sale
I run it at events all summer long but my age is making me want to down size a little as I have other games and foods too I won’t sell cheap it still makes good money but I only work on a small show where the money is not as great as it could be.
thelma howlett - September 22nd, 2015 at 11:28 am
Billy McCoy designed this machine he was my mother-in-law’s great grandfather. He was adopted by the McCoys (yes, those West Virginia McCoys of the Hatfields and McCoy’s). Used at Coco Beach Fair ( which he started), & Petticoat Junction amusement park Panama City Florida.
Ron Haynes - November 21st, 2015 at 10:58 am
I used to get it going so fast my feet would come off the floor. The ride attendant would hand my ticket back to me many times because I got on a lot and attracted people as I was making it look easy. It was just momentum. Bend down when it goes down and stand up when it goes up. Too easy, but was a workout.
John - March 7th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Please I would love A price range and where to purchase
Sandy - December 18th, 2017 at 5:27 am
This ride was at my fair one year when I was 14. I rode it so many times, loved it! Would so love to do it again!
Kimberli Ridgeway - November 2nd, 2019 at 7:32 pm
I have a Swingin Gym for sale.
Call 814-590-3888
Tom - January 7th, 2023 at 3:48 am
If anyone knows of one for sale or even the old plans I would like to have one. 443-677-7654
Jay - July 3rd, 2023 at 5:37 am
Melissa Carter It was at our local Fireman’s Carnival. The ride was banned the following year due to my accident and several others. It was called the swinging gym. 2 people would get into like a cage. And you had to keep swinging your weight back-and-forth from side to side to try to get it to go over the top. Ours balanced at the top. I thought it was going to come down one way, so I was bracing my weight to go that way. It ended up coming down on the other side and the centrifical force Slammed my body against the side of the cage. I was twelve or thirteen at the time. My crush was there. I ended up getting off this Ride with a broken nose, blood streaming down my shirt. And my leg hurt like crazy. Not exactly the impression I was hoping to leave on this boy. L o l. I put the Fire Co. Training Into full Rescue Mode and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
The following day I had Raccoon Eyes And my leg in a cast from my hip to my ankle. I had developed a serious hematoma On my knee. The doctor had to go in and dig out the blood clots and Put the cast on. Due to the fact it was a straight cast, I had to take up the whole back seat of our Station Wagon, because I couldn’t bend my leg. My bedroom was on the second floor the only way I could get up The stairs was to bend at my hip and swivel my straight leg all the way out to the side for each step.That was our hottest summer on record! Typical day was 103! No swimming! I could have cried! With it being so hot, It itched like crazy! I undid a wire hanger and straightened it, so I could put it down in the cast to scratch. Needless to say, I was Thrilled when I could get the cast off! And I had a new Appreciation for the fact that Knees Bend! And my First Full Shower, Post Cast was like Heaven! The Fire Co. Gave me A Large Pink Dog From the carnival. I went back To the carnival two days later and everyone signed my cast.
Brenda Lewis - August 6th, 2023 at 4:32 am