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I admit, I avoided watching American Ninja Warriors since it first aired a few years ago, the name alone just didn’t appeal to me. Then “it” happened, on a cold rainy day last Summer, we clicked on the TV and the “boy” and I were instantly sucked into the amazingness that is American Ninja Warrior!
Don’t let the name fool you, there is no Ninja Business going on or fighting for that matter. Nope, it’s not violent at all, it’s actually one of the most athletic challenging shows we have ever watched.
In a nutshell, ANW is an insanely challenging obstacle course that keeps getting more and more difficult eliminating competitors along the way, one slip and you are out. Unlike Wipeout, this show pushes competitors to their physical limit as they try to make it to the end.
Competitors face obsticles with great names like Flying Nunchucks, Salmon Ladder, Cliff Hanger, Body Prop and Rumbling Dice.
All of the competitors are trying to make it through qualifying rounds to the finals in Las Vegas where they face Mt. Midoriyama which to date no American has even been able to complete.
That’s what makes the show so amazing, there is no “happy ending.” The rule of most shows on TV is they wrap things up in a nice tight bow by the end of the show, the bad guys go to jail, Caillou learns his lesson, the Bachelor falls in love. Cue the music, start the credits, everyone is happy and successful.
Not in American Ninja Warriors, everyone, and I mean everyone fails as they try to reach the top of Mt. Midoriyama, the most insane series of obstacles ever strung together. Despite failing in the first round or the finals these athletes give it their all, never stop trying and face defeat with a grace, determination and guts.
While there are some drop dead studs trying to make it to the finals there are also moms and dads, even grandparents giving it their all to reach a goal that everyone says is impossible. They believe in themselves, even when the odds are stacked against them. Huh!
In a time where we are passing out ribbons for attendance and participation, American Ninja Warriors reaffirms the idea that failure isn’t necessarily bad and hard work and doing your best are sometimes the most rewarding prize of all
As an added bonus, “the boy” loves to get outside and pay American Ninja Warriors! Talk about “Play 60” he is running, jumping, doing pull ups, monkey bars and making exercise fun, not to mention he is now a five year old with a six pack and sleeps like a bear!
I’m pretty sure the creators of American Ninja Warriors didn’t develop the show to be educational for kids, but the take away lessons make it a show worth watching, enjoying and learning for you and your family.
The sixth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on May 25, 2014 on NBC with subsequent shows airing on Monday nights at 9:00pm EST and Tuesday nights at 8:00pm EST on Esquire Network.
NOTE- I was not paid to write anything about American Ninja Warriors, it’s just a great show. End of NOTE.
