A fast-rising, family-centered fitness concept inspired by the American hit television series Ninja Warrior is expanding to Brooklyn Park, where city officials have approved a major new training facility that reflects both surging demand and a broad shift in how young people engage in sports and movement.
The Brooklyn Park City Council has granted a conditional use permit for Ninjas United to operate a 24,500-square-foot indoor facility at 8400 Wyoming Avenue North. The decision clears the way for one of the largest “ninja sports” specialty training spaces in the northwest metro and marks a pivotal moment for a program that is rapidly expanding its original footprint.
From Niche Concept to Regional Demand
Founded by Chris and Jen Voigt, Ninjas United began in 2018 with a single location in Maple Grove, serving only 75 children. In a few years, the program expanded to more than 600 active participants, with an additional 500 on a waitlist, a clear signal that demand has outpaced the available space.
“It exceeded my expectations,” Jen Voigt told council members during the March 23 meeting.
What started as a niche offer tied to a certain format of televised obstacles has turned into a structured youth sport. Often grouped under the broader categories of obstacle racing and functional fitness, “ninja” training combines agility, grip strength, balance, and problem solving into a disciplined progression system that appeals to both recreational participants and competitive athletes.
The Brooklyn Park expansion is designed to relieve a “bottleneck” at the Maple Grove site, where capacity is limiting enrollment despite steady demand.
A Strategic Site, Reimagined
The new facility will occupy part of the former distribution space previously used by United Parcel Service. The choice was deliberate. The industrial building offers the high ceilings and open floor plan necessary for large-scale obstacle installations, including signature elements such as curved walls, rope climbs, and suspended grip challenges.
Since the site is zoned for industrial and office use, the project requires a conditional use permit for the transition towards assembly and recreation models. City officials ultimately supported the proposal, citing community benefits and the adaptive reuse of unused commercial space.
Plans submitted to the city outline a carefully compartmentalized interior designed to serve multiple user groups simultaneously:
- Separate training gyms to accommodate beginners, youth classes, and competitive teams without overlapping
- Special conditioning areas focus on functional strength and grip development
- A children’s game zone tailored for young participants
- Party and event rooms aimed at capturing the birthday market and group events
The result is a hybrid facility that functions as both a training center and a community gathering place.
Trained Models and Competitive Pathways
Unlike traditional fitness centers, Ninjas United operates on a trained, curriculum-based model. Participants progress through structured classes led by trained instructors, with the opportunity to progress to competitive team training.
Programming at the Brooklyn Park site is expected to include:
- After school classes for youth and teenagers
- Advanced team training for competitive athletes
- Go to gym sessions for independent training
- Weekend events, including private parties and community programs
This approach reflects a broader national trend toward experiential fitness environments that emphasize engagement, mentorship, and skill development in passive gym use.
Economic and Community Impact
Beyond recreation, the project represents a form of economic repositioning. By converting part of a former industrial logistics site into a high-traffic recreational hub, Ninjas United introduced a complementary use pattern to the surrounding area.
The facility is expected to generate consistent evening and weekend activity, consistent with after-school programs and family schedules, while coexisting with nearby daytime industrial operations.
The expansion will also create local job opportunities, particularly for coaches, trainers, and youth program staff, many drawn from sports and fitness backgrounds.
During the council discussion, the emphasis extended beyond business growth to community value: providing a structured, positive outlet for youth energy, especially in areas where indoor recreation options are important during the long season.
Timeline and What Comes Next
Construction and interior modifications are expected to proceed quickly, with an anticipated opening in August 2026. The timing is strategic, coinciding with the back-to-school season, when demand for extracurricular programs typically increases.
Planned hours of operation reflect that focus:
- Weekdays: 3:15 pm to 9:00 pm
- Weekends: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
For Chris Voigt, the expansion is as much about community as it is about scale.
“We are very, very excited to operate in Brooklyn Park and bring what is cool, family-oriented, community-oriented sports to the city,” he said.
In an area where youth sports have traditionally centered on team-based athletics, the rise of ninja training signals a shift. It is individual yet communal, competitive yet accessible, and increasingly in demand.
With its Brooklyn Park debut, Ninjas United isn’t just opening a bigger facility. It helped define a new path in Minnesota’s youth fitness landscape, one built on movement, challenge, and the quiet confidence that comes from learning how to ride, swing, and carry on.
MinneapolisMedia
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