At the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines leisure center, you have three weeks to become a real “ninja”

It is the ideal occupation for the summer holidays. The Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines leisure center has just inaugurated a “Ninja” course intended for the general public*. Until July 21, it will be possible for anyone to try this new sporting activity popularized by the show Ninja Warrior on TF1 for free and without reservation.

For those who don’t know it, the principle is simple: you have to cross an obstacle course by hanging on to ropes, hoops and overcoming various obstacles. “It requires a lot of agility and strength in the arms and forearms,” ​​assures Malcom, a former participant of the show from Vaucresson (Hauts-de-Seine).

50 pull-ups in a row for the 2023 winner

“Originally, I practiced climbing. So I have a lot of grip in my hands and fingers, he explains. I can do 50 pull-ups in a row, even on a very small area. This is a considerable asset for courses where you have to know how to hang yourself and move like a little monkey. »

Under the gaze of Denis Brogniart, a special guest at this inauguration, a little boy with long hair performs. In a few minutes, Naël bluffs the audience. The “little monkey” could be him, swinging from bar to bar with impressive ease, before tackling the vertical “wall” on which he hoists himself with incredible ease.

“He practices this sport for pleasure,” say his parents Christophe and Laëticia. Whenever he has time, he does push-ups and pull-ups. » At the age of 12, he easily completed four sets of ten pull-ups. Try it and you will understand all the talent of the little guy…

Equipment sold in sports stores

Those interested in the challenge can also train at home. Sports stores sell “Ninja kits” adapted for individuals. “For a hundred euros, you get something good,” says Malcom. “I also recommend going to street workout areas. The work is similar to the courses and you can even bring your own equipment.” Abandoned by the male gender, gymnastics nevertheless offers incomparable resources and is probably the closest to this booming activity.

The summer installation of this course marks the takeover of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines leisure center by the Ile-de-France region at the start of the year. The assembly led by Valérie Pécresse (LR) promises other strong actions such as the renovation of the equestrian center, the creation of a cycle path and the opening of a treetop adventure course. Leisure tickets financed by the region will also allow disadvantaged people to have free access to activities.

*Open daily from 2pm to 6pm and weekends from 10am-1pm and 2pm-7pm. Parking 5 euros per vehicle