Grip Strength
Get a grip!
Most times, this phrase has a negative connotation. Having a grip, however, is one of the most important skills for a ninja to have. A strong grip is the difference between finishing the course and falling into the water.
While grip strength seems like something that wouldn’t matter that much, it is an extremely important skill. There is a reason that most serious ninjas have a grip strength area in their home or yard.
Grip strength is a constant necessity – even on the front half of courses, which tend to focus on mobility. Obstacles like the Giant Log Grip attempt to jolt the ninja off of the obstacle with sudden, seemingly random falls. With obstacles like these, ninjas utilize their entire body to supplement their finger strength.
The real test of finger strength begins in the back of the course on obstacles like Cannonball Run. From personal experience, hand grips like these are considerably harder than they look. Some ninjas, like Kevin Bull, have found creative ways around these obstacles.
Kevin Bull versus Cannonball Alley (2:35 for the fun part)
The ultimate challenge of grip strength on American Ninja Warrior is the Ultimate Cliffhanger. Trying to explain the obstacle will not do it justice. Instead, watch Drew Dreschel, probably the most naturally skilled athlete currently in ANW.
If all of this sounds crazy, that is because it is. What is really crazy, however, is the toughest obstacle in the ninja universe, SASUKE or ANW, the Ultra Crazy Cliffhanger. The Ultra Crazy Cliffhanger, which was introduced in SASUKE 32, removes the second swing from the Ultimate Cliffhanger. Don’t mistake this as the creators of the obstacle going soft. Instead, the designers made the first ledge, again six feet behind the competitor, inverted. You may ask, could this get any harder? Well, I have a surprise for you. The third and final ledge that the athletes must swing is constantly moving. Yes, the obstacles moves up and down, just in case the entire obstacle was not hard enough. Only Drew Drechsel (SASUKE 32) and Morimoto Yusuke (SASUKE 34) have completed this obstacle successfully.
Drew Dreschel defeating the Ultra Crazy Cliffhanger (Start at 0:45)
American Ninja Warrior creates obstacles that push athletes to their physical and mental limits. Though it may be forgotten by some, grip strength is one of these limits that athletes must work to push past. With obstacles like the Giant Log Grip, Cannonball Run, and variations of the Cliffhanger, ninjas must train their grip strength extensively.
This is my first look at your blog, and I definitely need to read some of the earlier posts. This is such an interesting topic because of how specific and out of left field it is. I will say that having not read your other posts, jumping into this one was a little awkward because I felt as though I don’t have enough background information. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and I enjoyed it nonetheless. Very cool!
I’m also a new comer to your blog and I wish I had come sooner. I remember when the early stages of ANW and watching these insane specimens complete crazy obstacles. The one thing I always wondered about but never quite investigated further was their grip strength. Your blog has finally satisfied my wonder and curiosity about American Ninja Warriors. That video of the Ultimate Crazy Cliffhanger was indeed crazy. I will definitely be back for more.
Howdy Doontay,
I enjoyed the read my guy. I have very much cool thoughts on my grip, and I think that grips are a really important factor in being ninja. Very good article, so good. Have a good day. (I ran out of time to write a good response, but you know I think your articles are fun reads). Also, spelled your name worng on purpose