Be a Workout Ninja
In this ever-changing world, where schedules seem to get more and more hectic with each passing year, it can be hard to find time to focus on personal health. For many, working out is an important but dreaded activity that often takes a backseat to other tasks. For others, exercise is always a priority, but if there were a way to make it enjoyable, it would redefine the perception.
Wilmington’s DefyGravity Trampoline Park, which opened earlier this year, is one spot to workout and have fun at the same time, but now there is a brand new course for those daring to give it a try.
Taking a page from NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, DefyGravity is set to reveal its new ninja course this month.
“American Ninja Warrior is definitely inspiring people to get in shape,” says SOLOMON HARVEY (above), assistant manager of DefyGravity. “It is like an adult jungle gym … people don’t realize how much they are working out because it is fun.”
The popular TV show pits competitors on a timed run through a challenging obstacle course that can include swings, vertical walls, and bicep-busting salmon ladders. The new local training course brings similar challenges for those looking to liven up their workouts.
“There will be some obstacles you’d see on the show and some brand new things that have been designed specifically for DefyGravity of Wilmington,” Harvey says.
The ninja course has been designed with people of all ages and all skill levels in mind.
“There is a work wall for those of all different levels, different balance obstacles, and hanging obstacles suspended on a foam pit,” Harvey says. “We will have things for little kids as well and some challenging things for adults and athletic people.”
Camp Lejeune Marine and former American Ninja Warrior contestant KRISTIN DALTON (below) knows the value of the new ninja course firsthand.
“I always stay active … I was in the Marines for eight years, and now I’m in the reserves,” says Dalton, who lives in Surf City. “When I found out I was going to be on the show, I started training harder and more specific to hardcore ninja-style obstacle training. I wanted to improve my upper body strength and my balance.”
Dalton flew to California this summer to compete in an all-military edition of the show after plenty of workout prep.
“Knowing what was going to be required of me on the show, I started working on pull-ups – I did pull-up and push-up circuits for twenty minutes, which gave me a full upper body and back workout at once. I also started doing some rock wall climbing on the base at Camp Lejeune,” she says. “I went to DefyGravity in Wilmington, and the thing that I spent the most time on while I was training there were the slack lines to really train my balance … it is unbelievable the amount of strength that takes.”
Dalton says she also searched online for American Ninja Warrior-type gyms and found one in Georgia where she trained.
“I went to two other gyms in New Jersey to train as well. I think it is incredibly valuable to have specific ninja training gyms and am excited about DefyGravity’s new course,” Dalton says.
Ninja training is a constantly changing activity, so DefyGravity hopes to help those interested in training to the maximum level.
“It is definitely something in high demand in this area,” Harvey says. “We are really excited about offering this to the people in the area who are interested. There will be a personalized 
training program for the ninja course, which will likely be on Sundays, but general use will be available to anyone who comes to the park during the rest of the week.”
Dalton plans to try out for American Ninja Warrior again next year, so DefyGravity’s ninja course will allow her to train more efficiently, effectively, and closer to home.
“American Ninja Warrior is always trying to stay ahead of the competitor, so you can’t train for everything,” Dalton says. “There will always be a new obstacle created … there’s always balance and upper body strength … so training on those types of training devices will be beneficial.
“Usually, if I try something and fail, I can immediately identify what I did wrong and fix it the next time. Training on these obstacles in Georgia and New Jersey allowed me to fix what I did wrong the first time.”
Dalton says she is excited about jumping into DefyGravity’s new course.
“I only trained for the show for six weeks … definitely not as long as I should have,” she says, “but it has given me that competitive edge again.”
To view more of photographer Megan Deitz’s work, go to megandeitz.com
