What Does it Take to Be A Ninja Warrior?

It may surprise you to learn that while physical fitness is incredibly important to succeeding as a Ninja Warrior, it is not the only requirement. Being a successful Ninja Warrior requires equal parts strength, conditioning and craziness.

Strength

Undergoing the proper ninja training is crucial in developing the right muscles to defeat the toughest obstacles on the course. Focusing on grip strength through activities like rock climbing, upper body strength through gymnastics and lower body/core strength through Parkour are essential.

With official American Ninja Warrior obstacles changing from season to season, if you want to compete on the TV show, your training should incorporate unpredictability. Doing Parkour is a great way to improvise with what you have around you in public. Also, going out into the woods like Elet Hall and free-running keeps your brain working as fast as your muscles to adapt to unique natural conditions.

Maintaining a strict training regimen is also key to building muscle over time and improving your overall health. As is the case with many sports, time spent in the gym or out in nature is beneficial, but the best training comes with competing whenever possible. This is one reason why aspiring Ninjas in West Michigan choose to participate in Rockford Ninja Warrior and why the American Ninja Warrior contestants we invited were so eager to attend.

Conditioning

Building muscle is great, but in order to conquer the ninja course, you need to be able to link grueling challenges together one after another without tiring. The more you practice, the more muscle memory you can build to make tackling the course easier when the time comes. On an individual stage, you will only be taxing your muscles for a few minutes or less but this exertion is so intense that the right conditioning can make the difference between hitting the buzzer and going in the water.

Craziness

You do not simply need to be strong to compete on Nina Warrior courses, you also have to be fearless... or crazy! Mentally preparing for Ninja Warrior by training with or competing against other athletes that you respect will teach you how to perform under pressure.

Also, like anything else, practice makes perfect. The more you compete, the more ready you will be for a Ninja Warrior audition. So, sign up for local competitions, charity benefits and anything else you can find that will prepare you.