10 Tips on How to Get to The Top of the Warped Wall

10 Tips on How to Get to The Top of the Warped Wall

The warped wall is the main ninja obstacle to conquer in ninja warrior. It's the finishing obstacle in many of the ninja competitions and is one of the more difficult ones as well. Warped walls can be conquered in different sizes at 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 14 1/2 feet (as seen on american ninja warrior), and 18 feet for the new mega wall. As the walls increase in size they also stick out farther towards the top of the wall to create that rounded shape. This warped shape allows for ninjas to carry their speed through the wall to reach the top. However, the warped shape also makes it tricky to figure out too. Here are 10 tips on how to get to the top of the warped wall!

1. Have proper athletic shoes that are tight on the foot. 



Having the proper footwear that can stay tight on the foot allow for the warped wall to be conquered. Loss of traction or shoes that can slip off can affect the ability to keep your speed up the wall and on the final push to get up onto the wall.

2. Start at an efficient place to create enough speed and acceleration. 

The optimal running distance before the wall is 15 feet. More top speed doesn't necessary mean you can carry it up the wall. Too much speed will cause you to run straight into the wall. To make a warped wall run more difficult in training you can shorten the running distance.

3. Take powerful and aggressive steps to start your run up the wall.

Powerful steps with big knee drives will create enough acceleration and put the body in a proper upright position. Shorter, choppy steps causes the upper body to drop forward which decreases your carried momentum up the wall. 

4. Your final step on the floor should be right in front of the warped wall driving upwards.

Being close to the warped wall allows for your steps to be high up the warped wall. Starting too low on the warped wall makes you take an extra step which makes it more difficult to keep your speed up the wall.

5. Keep your eyes at the top of the warped wall.

This allows for you to stay tall and even with a slight backward lean to keep momentum moving up. Leaning too far forward takes your speed into the wall and you crash into it. However, it is important you do not voluntarily lean backwards because when you reach for the top it will cause you to fall back farther and fall off of the wall.

6. Take at least 3 steps on the wall during your run.

This allows for enough time and distance to carry your momentum up high enough to the top. A habit for ninjas is to reach their hands onto the wall early since it is such a high obstacle. That extra step or two gets you close enough to reach for the top.

7. Push up off your foot on your last step on the wall.

The final push upwards toward to top puts your hands and body into the right position to be able to grab onto the top. 

8. Reach with both hands towards the top at the same time after the run.

Only reaching one hand up for the top causes the opposite hand to reach forward onto the wall. This stops your momentum and makes it more difficult to hold on/pull yourself on top of the wall.

9. Elbows, Belly, Knees is the progression to get onto the top

This progression keeps your body close to the wall and can use the lower parts on the wall to help push you onto the top. After each part of the progression is hit it allows for less body weight to have to push onto the wall. Use your feet to help propel up each progression as extra help!

10. Be Confident!

Going into the warped wall timidly will cut down on your speed and make you want to put your hands down early. Being aggressive and confident will always put your in the right position and mindset to conquer the ultimate ninja warrior obstacle!

The warped wall is one of the most iconic and challenging obstacles in obstacle course racing, ninja warrior competitions, and parkour training. Whether you're preparing for a show like American Ninja Warrior or simply looking to add a thrilling challenge to your fitness routine, conquering the warped wall is a rewarding feat. But reaching the top of this steep incline takes more than just speed—it requires a combination of strength, technique, and strategy.

Understanding the Warped Wall: Key Features

It's important to understand the unique design of the warped wall. Typically, the warped wall consists of a steep, curved incline with a ramped surface that ranges from about 10 to 14 feet tall, depending on the course. The challenge is to run up this curved surface and grab the ledge or the top edge of the wall to pull yourself over it.

The difficulty of the obstacle lies in several key aspects:

• The steepness of the wall: The wall is often angled at about 30-40 degrees, which makes it hard to maintain your speed and momentum.
• The short window of time: You only have a brief moment to build up speed and execute the climb.
• The technique required: Simply running at the wall won’t be enough—you’ll need precise technique to properly harness your momentum and propel yourself up.

Training Tips to Improve Your Warped Wall Skills

Now that you understand the process of climbing the warped wall, it's time to train! Here are some key exercises and tips to help you build the strength, power, and technique needed to conquer the wall.

1. Leg Strength & Explosiveness

The power to push off the wall comes from your legs. Building leg strength and explosiveness is crucial for driving yourself upward.

• Box Jumps: Practice box jumps to improve your vertical jump and explosive power.
• Plyometric Lunges: These will help build strength and agility in your legs while also mimicking the action of pushing off the wall.
• Squats and Lunges: Building strong quads, hamstrings, and glutes will provide the power you need to propel yourself upward.

2. Core Strength

A strong core is essential for maintaining control of your body during the climb.

• Planks: Hold planks to improve core stability and endurance.
• Leg Raises: Practice hanging or lying leg raises to strengthen your lower abs, which will help with your jump and maintaining a straight body alignment.
• Russian Twists: These help build rotational strength, which is useful for controlling your movement as you drive up the wall.

3. Grip Strength

Grip strength is important for securing your hold on the top of the wall.

• Dead Hangs: Practice dead hangs from a pull-up bar to build your grip strength.
• Farmer’s Carries: This exercise involves holding weights and walking a set distance. It strengthens your forearms and improves grip endurance.

4. Climbing Technique

Beyond physical strength, improving your climbing technique will significantly boost your performance.

• Practice on Smaller Walls: If you’re not quite ready for the full-height warped wall, practice on smaller, less steep inclines to develop your technique.
• Mock Warped Wall: If you have access to an obstacle course training facility, use a warped wall or a similar structure to practice your approach, foot placement, and climbing technique.
• Jumping and Swinging Drills: Work on drills that help improve your vertical jump and the ability to swing your legs up and over obstacles.

4. Mental Preparation

The warped wall is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. Staying calm and focused is key to successfully completing the obstacle.

• Visualize Success: Before attempting the wall, take a moment to visualize yourself running, hitting the wall, and reaching the top. This mental rehearsal can help improve your confidence.
• Stay Positive: If you fail, don’t get discouraged. The warped wall is a tough challenge, and it may take several tries to conquer it. Stay determined and keep practicing.

Reaching the top of the warped wall is no small feat, but with the right combination of strength, technique, and mental preparation, you can master it. Remember, practice is key. Break down each step and work on improving your technique and conditioning. With persistence and focus, you’ll soon be able to conquer the warped wall and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

Whether you are looking into Ninja Class Enrollment or trying ninja obstacles for the first time, use these 10 tips the next time you attempt the warped wall!