23 May Temporary traveling rings installations (part 1)

The first image that comes to mind when one hears “traveling rings” might be the iconic steel arches of the Original Muscle Beach structure. It’s true that many permanent traveling rings installations use a similar design to hang chains and rings from — but are these essential to having a functional set for swinging? Some creative “ringers” are challenging that idea with temporary rings installations that incorporate existing structures.

Stuttgart, Germany

A group of rings enthusiasts in Germany (led by John-Edouard Ehlinger) have been setting up temporary rings installations from a creative array of built structures. John and his friends have been experimenting with different configurations (such as squares, grids, triangles and other shapes) to find the optimal dimensions for swinging.

The Bridge

The Tower

The Industrial Heritage Site

The Emergency Staircase

The Metro Station

The Arch Bridge

The Swinging Room

More Information:
Dimensions and configuration details are available in the descriptions of each YouTube video listed. In order to preserve the viability of these locations, the addresses are not published. Feel free to join the local community by contacting John on his social media pages. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2be_2last/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JEEhlinger

Kralupy nad Vltavou, Czech Republic

A fitness competition, by the name of “Gladiator Challenge: The Bridge,” was held in the Czech town of Kralupy nad Vltavou in the summer of 2020. The course featured a series of 22 rings, suspended from a bridge, spanning the width of the Vltava River.

More Information:
Website: https://www.gladiatorchallenge.cz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gladiator.challenge.kralupy

Swing City, Burning Man

For one week each summer a traveling rings oasis emerges from the Black Rock Desert. Since 2010 a dedicated group of ringers have designed and constructed a traveling ring rig for the famous Burning Man gathering.

More Information:

Website: http://www.robertchapin.com/swingcity
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/SwingCityBurningMan

Setting up your own traveling rings

When it comes to installing rings on an existing structure (whether it be from nature or the built environment) you should always exercise extreme caution. Structures may not be as strong as they look and you always have to take safety seriously. For this reason, we do not recommend rigging anything without first consulting an engineer or rigger.