Do Contestants Get to Practice on American Ninja Warrior?

Posted by Arica Deslauriers on Friday, June 28, 2024

American Ninja Warrior is a popular TV show that has seen competitors attempt extremely difficult obstacle courses. But whether contestants are let in that monster of a course to get some practice well, we keep coming back for more, just waiting to find out. This article will go more in-depth on the practice opportunities, course design, competitive advantages and disadvantages, and much more. 

Rehearsal Options for the Contestant

Extent of Practice

There is no practicing on the course before your official run in American Ninja Warrior. Veteran competitor Ryan Stratis says there is no practicing the obstacles during tryouts. Instead, they are forced to train by other means for the challenges that will be hurled at them.

Restrictions and Limitations

One fundamental rule is that a competitor cannot practice directly on the course. The trick is all competitors have to be told the incomplete rules of each obstacle on game day by a preemptive Obstacle Tester who demonstrates how the obstacles work. Afterward, the competitors have to use their training and willpower to conquer whatever trail lies ahead.

Alternative Training Methods

This means serious competitors must often stick to training on similar obstacles at local gyms or build their replicas. In another example, competitor Nick Hanson from a rural village in Alaska built obstacles with friends before competing.

Course Design

Design Process

The US Ninja Warrior obstacle courses are handcrafted and thoroughly tested. It takes months of planning to design the course, and rumors are that some courses are designed on a napkin. The next step is for them to ideate the obstacles, create prototypes and test every obstacle in a warehouse long before they make it into their courses. The idea is to set up enjoyable, amusing, and delightful hurdles for the participants and the audience.

Seeing the Class

Competitors are only allowed to see the course on video prior to their timed run and may not walk or inspect it until their turn. This creates an element of surprise in the competition since contestants do not know what obstacles they are going to be facing until it is their turn on the course.

Audience and Viewer Viewpoints

Impact on Entertainment Value

Barring contestants from practicing on the American Ninja Warrior course only adds to the drama and uncertainty of potential outcomes, which sets this show apart. The element of surprise and contestants' ability to respond under unforeseen conditions sustain the level of intensity.

Unpredictability of the Competition

The lack of practice time lends uncertainty and makes viewers root for the contestants as they deal with obstacles. This keeps the viewing experience high-stakes as viewers cannot wait to see what new stuck dance each contestant will be given and how they will perform it.

American Ninja Warrior is unique and thrilling due to the practice opportunities, course design, and competitive dynamics. While some may view the lack of comfortable track time as a disadvantage, this quirk delivers one more layer of chess match-type strategy for both drivers and fans during each tense session.

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