Swingin’ Gym

• the most dangerous, unsuccessful ride ever produced.

Many thanks to Scott for the information and picture.

The Swingin’ Gym ride has hurt and maimed countless patrons, and as far as I know, if you own one, you own a giant piece of carnival art! Insurance companies soon learnt to stay well away from them - by the end of the first operating season, no insurance company would touch one.

In summary, The ride should’ve been re-named ‘Personal Injury Gym’

The ride action is very simple, and relies on the physical exertion of its passengers to keep it moving (stopping it is another matter altogether!) Basically through human strength, riders rock the cage back and fourth until the cage swings over the top. Sounds like fun eh? The idea is very original, and I’d sure like to try it out for myself.

However, DO NOT BE FOOLED, there were countless reports of horrific personal injuries with riders getting slung over to one side, then getting battered to pieces - by the very momentum they innocently caused! Thus it became far too common for riders to end up unconscious or with broken arms, legs, wrists, split heads, grazed knees etc. etc. etc!

Nevertheless, the ride concept was incredibly original - and if not for the personal injury problem, would have been highly profitable and free of maintenance problems (as the advertisement suggests).

It’d make a great piece of backyard play equipment! And what a conversation piece! I want one!

Due to their relatively low cost, there were over 20 units manufactuered in the USA, 13 units manufactured in the UK, and many more custom-built designs. A small number still make appearances across Europe, with several modifications to rider-safety.