Obstacle training ("American Ninja")

[Than_Bogan]

On Friday, I managed to get to a gym in Newton MA that does obstacle training, including training folks who are appearing on American Ninja Warrior.

 

I am very sore today, which I take as a great sign. My coach was named Nate -- another great sign! Moreover, I could see an awful lot of similarity in the challenges and those of slalom.

 

Thinking this may be a VERY FUN way to get into better ski shape. Unfortunately, it's not a convenient place to get to during the week, thanks to nasty traffic.

 

Also fun: My guesses at the difficulty level of different obstacles, from just watching the show, were fairly accurate. For a former high jumper with a reach of over 8', the Warped Wall was pretty easy. On my first try, my weight was too far forward and I could tell I had failed the instant my first foot was on it. After some pointers from Coach Nate about where my hips needed to be as I hit the ramp, I succeeded on my second try.

 

But for a guy with no biceps, trying to move along the pegboard was utterly impossible. I only even reinstalled a peg one time, but couldn't hold myself up, so couldn't advance even then. But some of the key challenges of the pegboard reminded me enormously of the challenge of holding position during the outbound swing on very short line lengths. I bet if I can ever gets strong enough to move along the pegboard a bit, it will help my skiing! If not, well at least I had fun!

 

So maybe look into it. I think there are more of these gyms around than we realize.

[oldjeep]

That sounds like it would be a lot of fun. The ones that I'd really like to try are the spider jump and salmon ladder.

[Than_Bogan]

Salmon ladder next time! That's a hard one even for some of the best and whose builds are friendlier to it than mine. But it's also pretty technical so I may be able to learn it eventually!

[DefectiveDave]

Cool idea, apparently there is one in Charlotte, NC as well. However, it's about a 40 minute drive for me so probably something to try on a weekend.

[oldjeep]

Apparently there is one 10 minutes from my place. $16 for a one hour drop in. Might have to take the kids over there.

 

http://www.conquermn.com/

[Wish]

Indoor Rock Climbing (similar) has been the only work out that I have found that hits all the WS muscle groups hard. A bit cost prohibitive but also worth a look. Will be surfing the net to see if there is an obstacle training center around me. Working out sucks..this kind of stuff makes it suck less..a lot less.

[Wish]

Indoor Rock Climbing (similar) has been the only work out that I have found that hits all the WS muscle groups hard. A bit cost prohibitive but also worth a look. Will be surfing the net to see if there is an obstacle training center around me. Working out sucks..this kind of stuff makes it suck less..a lot less.

[Drago]

I've been looking for a coach named Nate, nothing in my town

[Drago]

I've been looking for a coach named Nate, nothing in my town

[xrated]

That looks like fun @oldjeep. Might be a fun way to get together with summer ski buds we don't see all winter.

 

And to see how well my current "workout" of not working out but living is working out.

[xrated]

That looks like fun @oldjeep. Might be a fun way to get together with summer ski buds we don't see all winter.

 

And to see how well my current "workout" of not working out but living is working out.

[BobF]

Holy cow, there's one only 10 minutes from my place! Who knew?