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
Our team is split into five main divisions that build upon our Pre-Team Curriculum classes. Pre-Team Curriculum classes introduce the basic foundations of ninja and parkour. Our team levels are designed to build upon those foundations, and progress all the way up to elite-level skills. Each team level has specific benchmarks that athletes need to be able to achieve (shown below). These skills need to be demonstrated successfully during one of our team tryouts.
- Junior Level 1 Team: Ages 6–8 (Advance to this level from Pre-Team Curriculum)
- Apprentice Level 2 Team: Ages 9–15 (Advance to this level from Pre-Team Curriculum, or from Level 1 Team)
- Intermediate Level 3 Team: Ages 9 and up (Advance to this level from Apprentice Level 2 Team)
- Advanced Level 4 Team: Ages 10 and up (Advance to this level from Intermediate Level 3 Team)
- Elite Level 5 Team: Ages 10 and up (Advance to this level from Advanced Level 4 Team)
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.
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.
During tryouts, athletes will be tested on a series of benchmark skills for the corresponding team they are attempting to get on. See benchmark skills listed below. In addition to testing benchmark skills, coaches will also be assessing athlete’s ability to listen, follow instruction, coachability, and general respectfulness.
Team Level Benchmark Skills
During team tryouts, these skills will be tested.
Junior Level 1 Benchmarks
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
- 10 pushups from toes in :60
- :10 single arm dead hang on each arm unbroken
- :45 dead hang unbroken
- 1 rope climb (15’)
Apprentice Level 2 Benchmarks
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 on 4” blue trainers
- 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 (15’) using j-hook method
- 400m run in 2:00 or less
Intermediate Level 3 Benchmarks
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 4” blue precision
- 5′ cliffhanger transfer (large green ledges)
- 2 rungs up salmon ladder unbroken
- 7’ 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 Benchmarks
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 4” blue 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
- 8’ 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” or 46” wedge
- 7 strict pullups unbroken
- 240’ farmers carry at 65% body weight unbroken
- 800m run in 3:00 or less
Elite Level 5 Benchmarks
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- 10’ lache bar to bar with single-swing initiation
- 9’/8’/7’ laches linked (no backswings after first lache)
- 6’/7’/8’ laches linked
- 7’ lache to special delivery
- 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/across/down on devil steps
- Double kong vault 40” or 46” wedges
- 8′ cliffhanger (small rounded edge), 8’ pegboard (using crossover method), 8’ cliffhanger (large edge)
- 12 strict pullups unbroken
- Coach’s choice “wildcard” obstacle
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.
Current Team Practice Days/Times
- Junior Level 1 Monday 5:00 – 6:00pm
- Junior Level 1 Thursday 4:00 – 5:00pm
- Level 2, 3, 4, 5 Thursdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Level 2, 3, 4, 5 Saturdays 9:30am – 11:00am
Team Practice Days/Times (Starting Jan. 2, 2023)
- Junior Level 1 Monday 5:00 – 6:00pm
- Junior Level 1 Thursday 4:00 – 5:00pm
- Level 2 Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:00pm
- Level 2 Sundays 9:30 – 11:00am
- Level 3, 4, 5 Thursdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Level 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
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