Our competitive team builds upon our Pre-Team Curriculum classes, providing a place for dedicated ninjas to take their skills to the next level. We focus on building obstacle skills, strategies, techniques, as well as the body awareness and strength needed to succeed in the incredibly demanding sport of ninja. Ninja requires tremendous strength and endurance, so in addition to obstacle work, we also incorporate a significant amount of strength and conditioning into our team programming. We emphasize training for competitions, and travel as a team to various regional ninja competitions throughout Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia as well as national-level competitions across the country. Our team goals include:
- Fostering a team environment for kids and adults with a shared interest. This includes team-building games and exercises to encourage camaraderie and friendship
- Learning advanced obstacle skills and techniques
- Building strength and endurance needed to be successful on challenging obstacles
- Developing strategies for speed and efficiency on timed course runs
- Treating team members and coaches with respect and supporting everyone’s efforts
- Learning the competitive format and rules of the various competition leagues (WNL, UNAA, CNL, etc.)
- Strongly encouraging and facilitating participation in competitions held at Life Force, as well other regional and national competitions
Team Divisions
Junior Level 1, Apprentice Level 2, Intermediate Level 3, Advanced Level 4, Elite Level 5, UNKNOWN Level 6
Junior Level 1
Benchmark Skills
Athlete must pass 12 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- Initiating and generating swing momentum from both a static bar and trapeze bar
- 4′ lache controlled dismount to block
- 4′ lache bar to bar
- Devil steps green pipes up (4 steps)
- Monkey bars
- 8′ balance pipe
- 8′ cliffhanger traverse
- Balance roller (6’ distance on 12” roller)
- 5 slanted steps (cat grabs okay)
- 8’ warped wall up and over
- 2 strict pullups unbroken
- 5 pushups from toes in :60
- :10 single arm dead hang on each arm unbroken
- :45 dead hang unbroken
- 1 rope climb (12’)
Apprentice Level 2
Benchmark Skills
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- 4 rungs up on campus board lane 1 (hands only)
- Ring toss traverse
- 5′ lache bar to bar
- 5’ lache controlled dismount to block
- 5’ catback 180 on 6’ wedges
- Devil steps up/down, hands only (green pipes or steps okay)
- 8′ balance pipe down and back
- 5’ standing precision
- Balance roller (10’ distance on 12” roller)
- 5 slanted steps, feet only
- 3 strict pullups unbroken
- 10 pushups from toes in :60
- :60 dead hang unbroken
- 1 rope climb (12’)
- 400m run in 2:00 or less
Intermediate Level 3
Benchmark Skills
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- Two 6’ laches bar to bar w/single swing initiation
- 6’ lache to switch grab
- 6’ lache to wedge precision
- 5′ cliffhanger transfer (large ledges)
- 2 rungs up salmon ladder unbroken
- 6’ catback 180 on 6’ wedges
- 8’ cliffhanger large edge/pegboard return
- 8’ balance pipe/teeter totter/8’ balance pipe down and back
- Campus board ascent/descent on lane 1 (hands only)
- Devil steps up/down + two cannonball hook steps down
- 240’ farmers carry at 50% body weight unbroken
- 6 strict pullups unbroken
- 15 pushups from toes in :60
- 1:30 dead hang unbroken
- 400m run in 1:45 or less
Advanced Level 4
Benchmark Skills
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- 9’ lache bar to bar with single-swing initiation
- 7’, 6’, 5’ laches linked (no backswings after first lache)
- 7’ lache to wedge precision
- Campus board ascent/descent on line #2, hands only
- 2 rungs up/2 rungs down on salmon ladder (9” or 12”)
- Salmon ladder transfer 5’
- 2 hops flying bar 4’ gap
- Skyhook 5’ gap, turn around, 5’ gap return
- 7’ catback 180 on 6’ wedges
- 10’x12” balance roller/8’ balance pipe/teeter totter/8’ balance pipe/10’x4” balance roller
- 8′ cliffhanger (large edge), 8’ cliffhanger small rounded edge return
- Kong vault 40″ wedge
- 7 strict pullups unbroken
- 16′ hold on mega warped wall
- 800m run in 3:00 or less
Elite Level 5
Benchmark Skills
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- 11’ lache bar to bar with single-swing initiation
- 9’/8’/7’ laches linked (no backswings after first lache)
- 6’/7’/8’ laches linked
- 800m run in 2:30 or less
- Cliffhanger transfers/reverse catches
- Campus board ascent on line #4, hands only
- 5 rungs up/5 rungs down (12” spacing) on salmon ladder
- 3 consecutive salmon ladder transfers 5’ (must go up at least one rung on each transfer)
- Flying bar (distances may vary, between 4’ – 7’)
- Skyhook (distances may vary, between 4’ – 7’)
- Cannonball hooks up/vertical chucks down devil steps eyelets
- Mega warped wall (18′)
- 8′ cliffhanger (small rounded edge), 8’ pegboard (using crossover method), 8’ cliffhanger (small rounded edge)
- 12 strict pullups unbroken
- Coach’s choice “wildcard” obstacle
UNKNOWN Level 6
Benchmark Skills
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
New for 2023, our UKNOWN Level 6 is the highest team level here at Life Force Ninja, a level no one has yet to achieve! There will be 15 incredibly difficult benchmark skills, however, the athlete will not know what any of them are upon trying out. Athlete should expect to see some of the most difficult obstacle and parkour challenges we can think of, as well as some highly challenging strength skills. Athletes trying out for UNKOWN Level 6 should have several years of ninja training and elite/pro level competition experience.
Team Tryouts
For new team members, tryouts can occur in two ways:
- RECOMMENDED: Pre-Team Curriculum: Enroll in our 10-week Pre-Team Curriculum, a progressive class program designed specifically to prepare kids for our team. The 10th class is a team tryout! Learn more about this program here.
- Alternative option: Email Jadyn at jadyn@lifeforceninja.fit to schedule a one-on-one tryout. Cost of this option is $35, and will take place during one of our open gym sessions. This option is best for people who are not able to enroll in our Pre-Team Curriculum, or already have considerable ninja experience.
During tryouts, athletes will be tested on a series of benchmark skills for the corresponding team they are attempting to get on. Gaining a spot on the team is more than just passing some benchmark skills. During team tryouts, our coaches will also be assessing:
- Respect for peers
- Focus and dedication
- Respect for gym rules and etiquette
- Listening to coaches and following directions
- Maturity
- Following the Life Force Ninja Team Code of Conduct
Once an athlete has been welcomed onto the team, we do require that they attend at least six team practices per month (there are eight total). This is to ensure that we are fostering an environment for dedicated athletes to progress their skills.
Training and Competitions
Team Training Schedule
Our teams meet twice per week. Practices will include activities such as warm-up, obstacle training, skills workshops, team building, strength and conditioning, and timed course runs.
Team Practice Days/Times
- Level 1 Monday 5:00 – 6:00pm
- Level 1 Thursday 4:00 – 5:00pm
- Level 2 Thursday 4:00 – 5:00pm
- Level 3, 4, 5 Thursdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Level 2, 3, 4, 5 Saturdays 9:30am – 11:00am
Northwest Competition Opportunities
- WNL (World Ninja League)
- Life Force Ninja / Bellingham, WA
- Northwest Ninja Park / Eugene, OR
- UNAA (Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association)
- Skyhook Ninja Fitness / Portland, OR
- Ninja Fortress / Spokane, WA
- CNL (Canadian Ninja League, an affiliate of WNL)
- Momentum Ninja / Port Coquitlam, BC
Extended Competition Opportunities
The WNL and UNAA offer dozens of additional competitions across the country, including Regional and World Championships that take place at the end of the season. Our team members will have the opportunity to qualify for World Championships by competing at various local and regional competitions.
Pricing and Registration
The cost for our ninja team membership is $200/month. Team members can cancel any time, there is no long term commitment. We do offer discounts for family and siblings (please see all pricing options below).
Once you have completed one of our team tryouts, our team manager (Jadyn) will let you know if you made the team, and will setup the membership. Please contact our team manager Jadyn at jadyn@lifeforceninja.fit, or by calling 360-738-4724 with any questions.
What’s Included:
- Private team training sessions, two days per week, led by Life Force Ninja coaches
- 10% discount on team membership for siblings
- Unlimited access to Rec Ninja classes, Ninja Night, and open gyms
- Coach representation at regional WNL, UNAA and CNL competitions
- At-cost pricing on all Life Force Ninja apparel, including our upcoming sublimated team jerseys
- One complimentary open gym guest pass per month
- 50% discount on athlete tickets for WNL competitions held at Life Force Ninja
Parents, work out while your kids are playing/training with these membership add-on options! Contact us to activate these membership add-ons.
- Fitness area use during open gym times: Free for parents of team member
- Entire gym use (including obstacles) during open gym times: $30/month per team member parent
Ninja Team Monthly
- Private team training session, two days per week, led by Life Force Ninja coaches
- Must attend at least six out of eight team practices per month
- 10% discount on team membership for siblings or parents
- Unlimited access to Rec Ninja classes, Ninja Night, and open gyms
- Coach representation at WNL, UNAA and CNL competitions within the region
- 25% off all Life Force Ninja apparel
- At-cost pricing on custom team jersey with athlete name
- One complimentary open gym guest pass per month
- 50% discount on athlete tickets for WNL competitions held at Life Force Ninja
$200/mo
Ninja Team Family Monthly
- Up to four family members
- Private team training session, two days per week, led by Life Force Ninja coaches
- Must attend at least six out of eight team practices per month
- Unlimited access to Rec Ninja classes, Ninja Night, and open gyms
- Coach representation at WNL, UNAA and CNL competitions within the region
- 25% off all Life Force Ninja apparel
- At-cost pricing on custom team jersey with athlete name
- One complimentary open gym guest pass per month
- 50% discount on athlete tickets for WNL competitions held at Life Force Ninja