Fans of American Ninja Warriors can live out their own ninja fantasies right here in Bellingham, Washington at Life Force Ninja.
Life Force Ninja is a new gym in the Cordata neighborhood, near the new roundabout at Cordata Parkway and Horton Road. The glowing, bright green interior of the gym will tip you off that you have found the right place.
We experienced Life Force Ninja with my son's Boy Scout troop, it was an ideal place for a group of teenage boys to channel their energy. As we were arriving, a group of young children were participating in a class for little Ninjas. We also saw 20-somethings and entire families at the gym, all being active and having fun.
The gym has a welcoming atmosphere, no need to feel intimidated if you’re a newbie. And Life Force Ninja is all about safety so that fun stays in the forefront. If you are new to the gym, you'll get a lesson on how to fall safely as well as how to use the equipment and the house rules.
For those of you uninitiated to the Ninja Warrior phenomenon, the 6,000-square-foot gym is basically an obstacle course filled with challenges you’re probably familiar with, such as ziplines, gymnastic rings and the unstable bridge – plus others that might not be so familiar, like the Spider Wall, Flying Squirrel and Sea of Poles. The obstacles can be moved around or changed, so your next visit won’t be like your last. And there’s plenty of cushy mats to cushion your missteps!
While we were there, I ran into my friend Lisa Kennedy, who was there with her kids. She said the gym has something for everyone.
“As an adult, it lets you be a kid again. As a kid, it teaches you the ability to accomplish some amazing physical feats,” said Lisa. “It’s like a mini version of trying out the TV show, and the coaches are so encouraging that you leave feeling like a Ninja (or at least a version of one).”
If all this activity seems like a little bit more than you are up for, there is a waiting area where you can watch all the action, while enjoying a complimentary cup of coffee or tea.
Life Force Ninja offers all-ages open gym sessions for ages 5 and older, as well as “adult”-only for ages 13+. Kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. For the littlest ninjas, the gym offers a “micro ninja” class for kids ages 3-5. And, yes, birthday parties are available, too.
It’s no secret that up here in the Northwest corner we get rain “now and then.” So having the opportunity to play indoors can be welcome when it’s just too soggy outside. Here are a few other places that offer activities for the family to burn off excess energy, no matter the weather.
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