The Fly Wheels is an obstacle, firstly introduced on American Ninja Warrior 8, as the third obstacle in Indianapolis.
Competitors must swing across three hanging wheels, each with a one-inch ledge on either side. The second wheel was placed higher than the other two wheels, so they would have to make sure their momentum got them high enough to grab onto the small ledge on the second wheel. After the second wheel, competitors would have to maneuver their way onto the third wheel, which was on a pendulum and therefore would swing back and forth, but the wheel itself did not spin. And finally, competitors must make a dismount to the landing platform to advance.
In its debut during Indianapolis qualifiers, the Fly Wheels was proven to be difficult, as numerous competitors who attempted the obstacle, failed to swing their away across, typically due to weak momentum. There was also a slight disadvantage with its placement after the Rolling Log, in which some competitors may have fell due to dizziness and/or lack of focus. A total of 25 competitors fell on this obstacle during Indianapolis qualifiers, including Ruselis Perry and Marcelino Riley.
During Indianapolis finals, the third wheel was removed, creating a far longer dismount. With this modification and its placement after the Rolling Log, it consequently took out Bryce Foley, Adam Stroup, and Alex Bienz.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 9[]
The Fly Wheels returned on American Ninja Warrior 9, as the third obstacle in Los Angeles, with a similar arrangement of wheels from the previous season.
During the Los Angeles Finals. The distance between the first to second wheel was increased to 8 feet (2.44 meters), the third wheel was removed, leaving a 10.5-foot (3.2-meter) leap to the dismount platform. During Los Angeles qualifiers, 20 competitors failed on this obstacle, including Chris Workman, Anna Shumaker and Kevin DeBruin. However, no competitor failed on this obstacle during Los Angeles finals.
During Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day, the obstacle featured three wheels, with shorter gaps between the wheels and all three wheels placed on the same height and spins on an axis, in order to make the obstacle easier for celebrity competitors. Among the 4 out of 9 celebrity competitors who attempted the obstacle, 3 of them (Nick Swisher, Ashton Eaton, and Stephen Amell) completed the obstacle on their first try, while Derek Hough failed on his first try, but tried again and successfully completed the obstacle on his second try.
American Ninja Warrior 10[]
On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Fly Wheels appeared as the second obstacle during Miami qualifiers, with the gap between each wheel increased to 6 feet (1.83 meters), requiring the competitors to build a bigger swing and momentum. Also, the wheels were arranged in a slight decline, in similar fashion to the Cannonball Alley.
Due to its placement as the second obstacle, more competitors attempted the obstacle than during American Ninja Warrior 8's Indianapolis qualifiers and American Ninja Warrior 9's Los Angeles qualifiers. Just like during American Ninja Warrior 8's Indianapolis qualifiers, a total of 25 competitors failed on the obstacle during Miami qualifiers, including Ashley Harel, Joel Neeb, and Dustin McKinney.
Later on the same season, the Fly Wheels reappeared as the second obstacle during Indianapolis finals, replacing the Cannonball Drop during Indianapolis qualifiers. The obstacle also swapped place with the Cannonball Drop, which replaced the Fly Wheels during Miami finals. Both obstacles were coincidentally used in Los Angeles course on the previous season. With the obstacle appearing during Indianapolis finals, this marked its return to Indianapolis course, since its introduction as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 8.
During Indianapolis finals, the Fly Wheels eliminated Eric Sheppard, Nicole Martinez, and Mohammed Almarzouq.
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
On American Ninja Warrior 11, the Fly Wheels appeared as the third obstacle in Oklahoma City. This time, the second wheel was made much smaller and the wheels were placed at differing heights; as an example, the third wheel is placed 1.5 feet (45.72 centimeters) higher than the second wheel.
Although only 14 competitors failed on the obstacle during Oklahoma City qualifiers, it had some notable casualties, including Artis Thompson III, Michael Snell, and most surprisingly, Eric Middleton.
During Oklahoma City finals, the third wheel was removed. Despite that, no competitor fell on the obstacle.
Other Appearances[]
In many international SASUKE/Ninja Warrior formats, the Fly Wheels appeared with many variations of itself (having been combined with both Jump Hang, Cycling Road, and Big Dipper) along with the original version of this obstacle.
Fly Wheels[]
Team Ninja Warrior[]
On Team Ninja Warrior 2, Fly Wheels appeared as the fifth obstacle in Episodes 10 and 12. It had a similar configuration with the one used on Celebrity Ninja Warrior.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
On Australian Ninja Warrior, the Fly Wheels appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 3 and was called as the Big Wheel.
Then, the Fly Wheels (called as the Big Wheels) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 3 on Australian Ninja Warrior 2, which was very similar to the one used on Ninja Warrior UK 4.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
On Ninja Warrior UK 4, the Fly Wheels appeared as the fourth obstacle during the finals' Stage 1. However, the obstacle featured just two wheels (similar to the one used during American Ninja Warrior 8's Indianapolis finals and American Ninja Warrior 9's Los Angeles finals) and no trampoline at the start, with the pendulum wheel being placed as the second wheel.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
On Ninja Warrior Germany 1, Fly Wheels appeared as the fifth obstacle in the fifth Preliminary Round. In this version however, the first wheel is in a fixed position, requiring the contestants to swing on their own to generate momentum, and the third wheel spins normally.
It returned a year later on Ninja Warrior Germany 3 as the fifth obstacle of the first Preliminary Round. This time, the second and third wheel spins on an axis, while the first one swings on a pendulum.
Ninja Warrior France[]
On Ninja Warrior France 2, Fly Wheels appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heats 2 and 4. Only two wheels were present, the first one swings on a pendulum while the second spins on an axis.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
On Ninja Warrior Austria, Fly Wheels appeared as an obstacle in Stage Two. In this version, the first wheel is fixed and does not spin while the second and third wheel spins on an axis.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel, the Fly Wheels, locally called ืืืืืืื ืืืืืืื (literally Big Wheels) appeared as the fifth obstacle on Heat 9 and Heat 12. However, the obstacle featured just 2 wheels (similar to the one used during American Ninja Warrior 8's Indianapolis finals and American Ninja Warrior 9's Los Angeles finals), with a trampoline placed before as the medium to reach the first wheel.
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Fly Wheels appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 4 and Heat 14. It was paired with Off the Hook as part of Route A of the Crossroads. This time, the trampoline was removed and the second wheel was the pendulum wheel, making the obstacle very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior UK 4.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
On Ninja Warrior Poland 3, the Fly Wheels appeared as the penultimate obstacle in Heat 2 and 6. The obstacle for women was modified in that an additional landing was added before jumping onto the first wheel, and the second wheel was placed closer the former. The middle circle served as a swing to the third circle
On Ninja Warrior Poland 5, the Fly Wheels appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 6. It was paired with the Snake Crossing as part of Route A of the Crossroads. This time, the first wheel was a pendulum and the next two were rotating wheels.
American Ninja Warrior Junior[]
The Fly Wheels appeared as the fifth obstacle in American Ninja Warrior Junior, for Bracket 2; kids aged 11-12. These remained the same as their qualifying iteration from the regular season. 20 competitors, in total, fell on the obstacle.
Jump Hang with Wheel/Fly Wheel to Cargo Net[]
Ninja Warrior UK[]
On Ninja Warrior UK 3, there was a fusion version of the third wheel (the pendulum wheel) of Fly Wheel and the cargo net (similar to Jump Hang), called as Jump Hang with Wheel. Competitors must jump from the trampoline and grabbed the pendulum wheel. Then, competitors must build enough swing and momentum to make the transition to the cargo net, and finally reached the landing platform to advance.
Later, on Ninja Warrior UK 6, the obstacle appeared as the third obstacle in Heats 1, 4, 5 and 7. This time, the obstacle was named Flywheel to Cargo Net. Unlike Ninja Warrior UK 3, the trampoline was removed, making the obstacle very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior Israel 4. Moreover, a unique feature of this version, is the wheel is fixed on pendulum, but it also spins on its own.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
On Australian Ninja Warrior, the Jump Hang with Wheel (called as Spinning Wheel to Cargo Net) appeared as the fourth obstacle of Heat 2.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
On Ninja Warrior Austria 2, the Fly Wheels with Cargo Net appeared as the fourth obstacle of Heat 3 & 5. However, there were two wheels. Contestants jump from the mini-trampoline to the first wheel, which spins on an axis, then jump to the second which swings on a pendulum, then make a leap to the cargo net.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, Fly Wheel to Cargo Net appeared as the fourth obstacle of Preliminary Round 4. The wheel was fixed to a pendulum and could swing.
The obstacle returned in Ninja Warrior Germany 5 as the second obstacle of Preliminary Round 3, with the same type of wheel, but on a longer arm.
Ninja Warrior France[]
On Ninja Warrior France 7, the Fly Wheel to Cargo Net appeared as the second obstacle of the semifinals. A lache bar had been placed between the trampoline and the wheel. The wheel used spun on an axis.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
On Ninja Warrior Poland, the Fly Wheel with Cargo Net appeared as the fourth obstacle of Heat 1 and Heat 4. It consisted of only one pendulum wheel and a cargo net on which the competitor had to jump after correctly swinging on the wheel.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Fly Wheel to Cargo Net, locally called ืืืื ืืจืฉืช (literally Wheel to the Net) appeared as the first obstacle in Semifinal 4. However, the trampoline was removed.
Tri-cycle[]
Ninja Warrior UK[]
On Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Fly Wheels appeared as the second obstacle during the finals' Stage 1. This time, the obstacle featured 2 pendulum wheels, with a giant wheel placed in the middle of the pendulum wheels. Therefore, the obstacle was named as the Tri-cycle.
Big Dipper to Wheel[]
Ninja Warrior UK[]
On Ninja Warrior UK 3 and Ninja Warrior UK 4, the third wheel (the pendulum wheel) of the obstacle was also used to replace the cargo net on the Big Dipper.
Ninja Israel[]
In Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Fly Wheels part of the Big Dipper appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 14 and Stage One with two modifications:
- In Heat 14, at the end of the track was the Fly Wheels' third wheel (pendulum wheel), similar to Ninja Warrior UK 3.
- In Stage One, at the end of the track was the Fly Wheels' first wheel (spinning wheel). Only one competitor failed on this obstacle.
Trivia[]
- The Fly Wheels was notable for eliminating two amputee competitors: Zach Gowen during American Ninja Warrior 8's Indianapolis qualifiers and Artis Thompson III during American Ninja Warrior 11's Oklahoma City qualifiers.
- Compared to most qualifying cities, the Fly Wheels is an upper-body obstacle despite being as the third obstacle. The upper-body and lower-body (balance) obstacle between the third and fourth obstacles were switched in Indianapolis qualifying course on American Ninja Warrior 8, as the Disc Runner is a lower-body (balance) obstacle. This positioning would eventually continue on American Ninja Warrior 9 (in Los Angeles, Daytona Beach, Denver), American Ninja Warrior 10 (in Dallas, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis), and American Ninja Warrior 11 (in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Seattle/Tacoma, and Baltimore), in all American Ninja Warrior 12 courses, and American Ninja Warrior 13 & American Ninja Warrior 14's Semifinals courses.
- On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Fly Wheels was even deviated as the second obstacle, meaning there were three upper body obstacles, each in Miami qualifiers course (along with the Ring Turn and Slippery Summit) and the front half (i.e. the first 6 obstacles) of Indianapolis finals course (along with the Wheel Flip and Spin Hopper).
- The Fly Wheels is one of the few obstacles where bending the arms at a 90-degree angle is not recommended. In this case, putting the arms straight on this obstacle will give competitors more momentum to swing to the next wheel.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the Polsat broadcast and external information found.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Fly Wheel to Cargo Net | |||
---|---|---|---|
NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
NWP1 (Heat 1) | 15 | 19 | 78.95% |
NWP1 (Heat 4) | 18 | 24 | 75% |
Total | 33 | 43 | 76.74% |