Fly Wheels

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 qualifiers, 20 competitors failed on this obstacle, including Chris Workman, Anna Shumaker and Kevin DeBruin.

During the Los Angeles Finals, the distance between the first to second wheel was increased to 8 feet (2.44 meters), while the third wheel was removed, which left a 10.5-foot (3.2-meter) leap to the dismount platform. However despite that modification, no competitor failed this obstacle during the Los Angeles finals.

Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day's Fly Wheels

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 four out of nine celebrity competitors who attempted the obstacle, three 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 a similar fashion to Cannonball Alley.

Due to its placement as the second obstacle, more competitors attempted the obstacle than during its past two appearances in qualifying. Similar to 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.

American Ninja Warrior 10's Fly Wheels in Indianapolis

Later on the same season, the Fly Wheels reappeared as the second obstacle during the Indianapolis finals, replacing Cannonball Drop, which appeared during the Indianapolis qualifiers. The obstacle also swapped places with Cannonball Drop, which replaced this obstacle during the Miami finals. Both obstacles were coincidentally used in Los Angeles on the previous season. With the obstacle appearing during Indianapolis finals, this marked its return to Indianapolis since its introduction as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 8.

During Indianapolis finals, this obstacle 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. The 6-foot gap between the wheels is still retained.

Although only 14 competitors failed on the obstacle during the 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.

American Ninja Warrior 17[]

The Fly Wheels reappeared after a six-season hiatus in American Ninja Warrior 17, being showcased as one of the returning obstacles in promotional snippets of the season. It ultimately appeared as the second obstacle of the second and fifth rounds of qualifying. Compared to its last appearance, the distance between the second and third wheels was made longer. Additionally, aesthetic modifications were made to the obstacle, with the area surrounding the obstacle decked out like a viking ship to promote the 2025 live action-remake of How to Train your Dragon.

Three competitors failed it during the second round of qualifying as Curtis Tran, Alan Connealy, and Aroka Spader, all on the swing to the second wheel. Another four competitors failed during the fifth round of qualifying as Aly Larson, John Loobey, Dante Williams, and Robert Wormus.

Other Appearances[]

In many international SASUKE Ninja Warrior formats, the Fly Wheels appeared to be combined with but not limited to 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. It eliminated one competitor.

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 2, 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 הגלגלים הגדולים (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 wheel served as a swing to the third wheel.

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.