Ninja Warrior UK has come to Leeds and it was very evident from being there on the opening day it was highly anticipated.
When I was asked to go to the adventure park in Ramshead Approach, in Seacroft, I thought I’d have a look around, interview Chris Kamara about his thoughts on the new park and make my way home straight away.
My editor had encouraged me to take part and my first thought was... "no, not today."
READ MORE: The Leeds companies 'named and shamed' for failing to pay staff the minimum wage
While other people used lockdown to get fitter, I didn't. Exercise is not something I’ve even thought about in the last year-and-a-half unless it was a spot of yoga.
To avoid embarrassment, I’d already made up my mind that I would just sit on the sidelines - but of course, this isn't what happened.
I don’t know if it was seeing the Ninja Warrior athletes, some who’ve been on the show and won, going around the obstacle course or the kids who looked as young as five, that encouraged me to give it a go but I’m glad I did.
In the building, there’s a small training section, a huge inflatable airpark but the popular attraction was the three courses that ended with a warped wall.
To get the latest email updates from LeedsLive, click here.
Each of the courses starts with soft steps before you head onto the other elements. The one I did was then followed by two unbalanced logs, air steps, tube nets, then a balance log before you reach the wall.
While it doesn't sound like a lot, it was harder than it looked and people of all ages took part. The staff and the athletes were very encouraging people around the park which made me feel a little bit less stupid.
The hour-long session that cost £11 per person ended very quickly but only because I lost track of time running around the adventure park and falling off the elements.
There's a lot to do and I realised you don't have to like exercise, but you do have to love a challenge. To be able to have the "Ninja Experience" was definitely worth it.
I won't be quitting my day job to be a Ninja Warrior anytime soon but at least if I ever wanted to entertain the idea, I can now drive down to Seacroft and pretend for an hour.
