<\/p>\n
Esmae Ulrich swings across a row of rings as her sibling Tristan watches and waits Aug. 27 at Ninjas United, which is located at\u00a08400 Wyoming Ave. N.\u00a0in Brooklyn Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(Sun photo by Jason Jenkins)<\/p>\n
The business recently relocated from Maple Grove<\/p>\n
There’s a new gym in Brooklyn Park\u00a0\u2014 but don’t expect only barbells and treadmills. Instead, you’ll find members swinging through the air, running across obstacles and scaling warped walls.<\/p>\n
Ninjas United is open at 8400 Wyoming Ave. N. after recently relocating about a mile from its Maple Grove\u00a0location.<\/p>\n
The new space, developed in 2015 as an industrial building, was previously used as a UPS warehouse. The tall ceilings and large space allow for plenty of room to house three main gyms.<\/p>\n
“Nice high ceilings was something we were definitely looking for, and then just an open area where we could see our vision come to life,” said co-owner Jen\u00a0Voigt.<\/p>\n
Inspired by the show \u201cAmerican Ninja Warrior,\u201d Ninjas United\u00a0initially opened in Buffalo as Minnesota\u2019s first dedicated ninja gym in 2014 before moving to Maple Grove in 2018.<\/p>\n
Voigt became a manager at the gym and took over as co-owner in 2021 alongside her husband, Chris, when the previous owner moved to Florida. Since then,\u00a0Ninjas United has grown from 75 to 600 members ages 4 and up \u2014 with another 500 on the waitlist.<\/p>\n
“By the end of September, we should be at around 700 members. We’re just slowly getting them off the waitlist,”\u00a0Voigt said. “We want to make sure that we always do quality over quantity, and so we decided we’re just slowly onboarding so we get to know the kids and we get to know their families.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The competitive gym at\u00a0Ninjas United\u00a0is for higher-level athletes, which include a wide range of ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(Sun photo by Jason Jenkins)<\/p>\n
The growing popularity of the sport is only expected to increase in the coming years. An “American Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle racing event will debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as part of the modern pentathlon. Supporters then hope to see the sport added as its own individual medal event by 2032.<\/p>\n
“As that gains some attention, I think we’re going to see it really grow,”\u00a0Voigt said.<\/p>\n
Plans are in the works for Ninjas United to begin hosting\u00a0head-to-head races for competitive-minded members who want to get the full “American Nina Warrior” experience.<\/p>\n
While giving a tour of the new Ninjas United space,\u00a0Voigt explained that each gym is designed for different skill levels.<\/p>\n
The “would-be warrior” gym is meant for ages 3-7 and is designed lower to the ground than the other two gyms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The recreational gym has higher riggings and is meant for levels one, two, three and beginner adults.<\/p>\n
The competitive gym is for the higher-level athletes, which include a wide range of ages.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Micah Merkey enjoys an open gym session Aug. 27 at the new Ninjas United space in Brooklyn Park.<\/p>\n
(Sun photo by Jason Jenkins)<\/p>\n
“We have some 7-year-olds [who use the\u00a0competitive gym]. It’s based off skill, so all the obstacles set up here are a lot harder,”\u00a0Voigt said.<\/p>\n
But don’t expect the gyms to remain the same. Each week, different obstacles are brought in and the courses are refreshed.<\/p>\n
“We change it every week. … That’s what really got me hooked because I’m not someone who likes to go to the gym and do the exact same thing each week,”\u00a0Voigt said.\u00a0“I like the novelty of coming in and trying something new. And the kids love that too.”<\/p>\n
There’s also a conditioning space, children\u2019s playground, arcade area and a party room.<\/p>\n
Structured classes involve training youth and adults with the help of coaches and competitive team training.<\/p>\n
Ninjas United also offers open gym time, during which coaches monitor the gym, but participants are free to do whatever they want. The open gym time is suitable for most ages and abilities and no membership is required. To learn more and to book a spot, visit ninjasunited.com\/open-gym<\/a>.<\/p>\n The gym also offers a trial package so that guests can try out the space before committing to a membership.<\/p>\n Ninjas United is open 3-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.\u00a0Saturday, and\u00a09:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.\u00a0Sunday.<\/p>\n