Learn to become a ninja at this Kelowna gym

Ever dreamed of having the agility and skill of a ninja?

With a bit of training at Kelowna’s own Ninja Sports Club, that could become a reality.

Instructor Mike Bozek said it all started with a TV show, and his background in personal training.

“About five, six years ago, I was just watching American Ninja Warrior on TV, and I'm like, trying to Google a place where I can practice it or train it, and there was absolutely nothing available in the Lower Mainland,” he told Kelowna10. “So, five years ago we opened in Langley, and we just came to Kelowna in March, and we opened up here in town.”

Bozek said his gym is always changing, combining new obstacles, and new skills to be learned and applied.

Some of his gym’s apparatus can be raised to 12 feet, providing a greater challenge for participants, but his lessons are based more on progression than throwing students in the deep end right away.

“People that don't have that upper body strength have to develop it,” he said. “So, the more you hang, the more you do chin ups or the more you just hang off equipment, you develop your grip strength and that allows you to do more and more.”

Unlike other sports, he said training has less of a focus on competition with other students, and more on trying to foster growth among his students through mutual support.

“I think you're only competing with yourself. You're not really competing against others and there's a great community in Ninja,” Bozek said. “There's a lot of camaraderie and teamwork and support… if you fall, people kind of clap and cheer you on and help you back up. It's a great community to be a part of.”

Bozek said if Ninja Warrior training is something that piques your interest, just come and participate in a few classes.

“Our classes will always have coaches that will teach you the techniques to get started,” he explained. “So, no matter what fitness level or skill level you come here with, we will take you from wherever you are and add on layers and layers of skill so that you can progress safely and effectively become a better ninja.”

For more info check here.