Becoming a Ninja Warrior: Tips
Cayden Jones, Obstacle Warriors North Richland Hills | Updated June 19, 2024
Below we’ll explore the fundamentals of what it takes to become a ninja warrior.
Kaden Lebsack | Image via American Ninja Warrior
THE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF A NINJA WARRIOR
The sport of ninja warrior demands strength, speed, coordination, balance, and agility. Athletes should start off by focusing on the basics, strength and conditioning.
Strength and conditioning is the baseline that any athlete needs in order to be a Ninja Warrior. Exercises included in a training program should build strength and muscle, enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.
Weightlifting: Exercises such as deadlifts, squats, bench press, and overhead press are important in order to build overall strength and power.
Bodyweight Training: Exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, dips, handstands, front levers, and human flags help to develop functional strength and increase muscular endurance. These movements transfer over to the sport of Ninja Warrior and in competitions, making them a crucial part of a training program.
Plyometric Training: Explosive movements such as box jumps, burpees, broad jumps, and medicine ball throws help improve power and agility. Plyometric exercises focus on fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are important for quick and explosive movements like the Quintuple Steps, Spinning Bridge or Jumping Spider obstacles seen on Ninja Warrior courses.
Abbey Cutts | Image by Melissa Cutts
Flexibility and Mobility
Flexibility and mobility play an important role in the sport. Athletes need to be able to move, run, jump, and flip with optimal performance, which is enhanced by a proper flexibility/mobility routine. In addition to enhancing performance, it also provides a form of relaxation or stress relief.
Mental Preparation
Mental preparedness is equally important in ninja warrior. Athletes must cultivate focus and discipline in order to be successful in this demanding sport.
Focus and Discipline
One of the key attributes of a Ninja Warrior is the ability to stay focused and relaxed in highly challenging situations. These situations can arise in competitions frequently, which is why mental strength is a critical component. Athletes must have the ability to meditate and visualize their plan before taking on an obstacle.
Overcoming Obstacles
Ninja Warriors must strategize before taking on any obstacle, as proper preparation can help with the outcome. Successful athletes will strategize and visualize taking on a course before attempting it. This helps reduce anxiety, tension, and fear when faced with an obstacle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sport of ninja warrior requires a solid combination of mental fortitude and physical preparedness. Athletes must train not only physically, but mentally as well.
History
The sport of ninja warrior began as part of a sports entertainment television show “Sasuke” in Japan. Sasuke consisted of four stages, each with challenges of increasing difficulty. Competitors had to complete a stage in order to advance. In the Final Stage of the entertainment show, competitors had to reach and hit the button at the top platform before time expired. Since the emergence and rise in popularity of Sasuke, similar adaptions such as ninja warrior have emerged in at least 18 other countries.
Image via Tokyo Broadcasting System
DO YOU HAVE A FIELD TRIP COMING UP?
Your favorite ninja obstacle course gym is opening in Summer 2024! Obstacle Warriors Field Trips, Fundraisers, Festivals and group events are now available for booking for mid-July 2024 onward! Kids and adults get to experience what it’s like to be a ninja warrior! We encourage kids and adults to have fun, learn, and challenge themselves to be the best that they can be. Unleash your inner ninja warrior and book your next event with our obstacle course today.
Location: Obstacle Warriors NRH is located at 8525 Airport Fwy, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
