WAY OF THE WARRIOR

WAY OF THE WARRIOR

NINJA COALITION HQ IN REDDING

ANYONE WHO’S EVER watched the NBC show “American Ninja Warrior” has probably thought at one point, “That doesn’t look that tough.” And while it’s likely tougher than one would expect, there’s a way to test your inner Ninja mettle in Redding.

The Ninja Coalition HQ is a real-life “American Ninja Warrior” training facility in the Mount Shasta Mall. The brainchild of Kevin Crye came about almost by accident. The personal trainer, who began Upper Hand Athletics and works with the Simpson University men’s basketball program on strength and conditioning, came across Ninja Warrior almost by providence, he says.

Equipped with many of the same obstacles you’d see on the TV show – including the famed Warped Wall – the Ninja Coalition HQ facility focuses on youth strength and development with several obstacle courses. Not only do those test the physical – grip strength, running, balance, jumping, speed and endurance – but the mental as well, as the all-around fitness tests challenge strength, conditioning, flexibility, problem-solving and coordination.

The benefit of having the connection to Ninjas like Gil, Jesse Labreck, Jonathan Horton, Joe Moravsky and Allyssa Beard only helps the draw of the HQ facility. “When I see Daniel talking at some of our events, he’s inspiring,” Crye says. “When he talks, you see the faces of these kids just light up. That never gets old. It’s cool to see the things they tell these kids and know that it’s making an impact.”

Crye says working with the Ninjas is exciting, and the message of hope and inspiration is important, but the bottom line is that the Ninja Coalition and Ninja Coalition HQ is a vehicle to teach lasting fitness goals.

“I realize the TV show may have a shelf life and they’re looking at making it an Olympic sport,” he says, “but what we strive to do is make kids strong and drive where they’re having fun and don’t lose the love of fitness. •