Jordan Warriors Gym: Exeter’s new ‘American Ninja Warrior’ style fitness center

EXETER — Gazing down on a vast sea of shimmering scaffolding that supports almost every body-contorting and gravity-defying obstacle conceivable, the satisfaction was almost palpable from Anthony Jordan.

It was just last winter that Jordan, 19, and his father, Alan, closed on the vast, 17,000-square-foot former HVAC warehouse at 140 Epping Road with plans to bring his lifelong passion to Exeter with his “American Ninja Warrior” inspired Jordan Warriors Gym. With a 2,000-square-foot mezzanine area overlooking the cavernous warehouse space, it seemed like the ultimate blank canvas, perhaps almost too blank.

“I had a few ideas for different things, but then we realized how much space we had and that we had to fill everything up,” said Jordan. “I think we have done a good job of utilizing every square foot of this place.”

From a pair of warped walls on one end to a mountain climbing wall on the other, all situated on top of a very forgiving floor of carpet-bonded foam, Team Jordan has created the ultimate extreme sports playground.

Jordan can’t wait to share with athletes of all ages and skill levels with the grand opening set for this Sunday, June 4, from noon to 6 p.m.

“To me, it’s an unbelievable transformation,” Anthony’s dad, Alan, added. “I could have never pictured this. It has exceeded my expectations.”

The grand opening will feature an open gym every hour where people can come out and try any obstacles they like for $10.

“This will be the time to come out and try new stuff,” Jordan enthused. “We will even have some more unique stuff that is not even out yet.”

Jordan Warriors Gym to offer classes for kids and adults

Once up and running, the gym will offer different stage-level classes with three age groups: 6 to 9 years old, 10 to 14 years old, and adult classes (15 years and older.) There will also be a junior warriors class which will be 4 and 5-year-olds.

“We will teach anyone who is looking to try it out,” said Jordan, who already has helped train a 68-year-old and who also offers private lessons. A month shy of his 20th birthday, Jordan already has four years of coaching experience at numerous gyms and is eager to fine-tune his vision off Epping Road in Exeter.

“I have learned a lot of things over my years being a coach,” said Jordan. “I know what works and doesn’t and I am excited to apply it to my own place and help the next generation.”

Bitten by the extreme sports bug at an early age while watching the hit reality show “American Ninja Warrior,” Jordan first started honing his craft in his backyard in North Andover, Massachusetts where his father constructed a series of homemade obstacles including a warped wall.

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‘American Ninja Warrior’ comes to Exeter

What Jordan, Alan, and his mom Belkis, who helped with much of the design, and others have created in Exeter might be best termed as a Ninja gym on steroids.

“This is definitely not one person, it has taken a lot of people to get this ready,” said Jordan, who graduated from Northern Essex Community College with a degree in business this spring. “It has definitely been worth the wait.”

Count Exeter’s Abby Herrick as someone who can’t wait for Jordan to officially open his doors, both as a competitor and a part of the Jordan Warriors staff.

“My gym is about a third of this and has nowhere near as many obstacles,” noted Herrick, who at 14 has already competed in numerous Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association events (UNAA) and was coached by Jordan.

Herrick is eager to introduce the fun and demanding sport in her hometown and hopefully dispel some myths about Ninja competitions along the way.

“I think the biggest misconception is that it’s some form of jitsu, or karate, or taekwondo or something along those lines because it has ‘Ninja’ in the name,” Herrick pointed out. “My favorite thing about Ninja Warrior is the self-discipline aspect of it, the only way you are going to succeed is if you push yourself.”

Evan McCarthy, 15, is also part of Jordan’s young, but accomplished staff and has also competed in a myriad of competitions. Like Jordan, he first fell in love with the reality show.

“When you are watching the show, you are like, ‘That looks so easy,’” McCarthy noted. “When you get here, you see that it’s not that easy.”

That’s precisely where the ever-positive Jordan and his staff come in, however.

“With the proper guidance it does become easy,” said Jordan, who after placing 24th in the World Ninja League championships last year has moved up to the elite division this year.

“There’s level progressions and with the classes we teach here, we are going to take you through those progressions and make it a lot easier to learn. The entry barrier isn’t as bad as it seems.”

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The gym offers many unique touches from other Ninja-style gyms, including a dedicated warm-up area as well as a mountain climbing wall. Plans are to add a cafeteria as well and Jordan is hopeful that the gym will become a popular choice for a multitude of special functions and parties.

Exeter’s Economic Development Director Darren Winham is excited to see another unique business open its doors in Exeter.

“It’s funny, I’m always bragging about the diversity of businesses in Exeter and Jordan’s Warriors is that in spades,” said Winham. “A Ninja Warrior-style gym is a unique use of what was a fairly challenging building. I think the Jordan family will do very well here.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Jordan Warriors Gym: Exeter NH ‘American Ninja Warrior’ inspired gym