How to Build Salmon Ladder From American Ninja Warrior

Every week, millions of viewers tune in to NBC's American Ninja Warrior, to watch as ninjas from every walk of life attempt to complete a series of iconic obstacles of increasing difficulty in the hope of becoming an American Ninja Warrior. To many American Ninja Warrior is just a source of entertainment but to many its a way of life. As the American Ninja Warrior community grows and gyms start coming up all over the world there has a been an increase in the need for ninja specific training tools and course plans.I have now completed building more than 10 different backyard courses (i'm pretty much an expert ninja warrior course builder) and through this Instructable I hope to aid people all over the world enjoy American Ninja Warrior as much as I do. In this instructable i will teach you how to build the grueling obstacle know as the salmon ladder.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

The Salmon Ladder has 2 main components—2 wooden posts and a series of angled rungs which you’ll use to catch and stabilize the bar. For this project, a pair of sturdy 12’-15’ (3.7-4.6 m) 4x4 posts will serve as the vertical supports, with a 2x6 across the top to connect the frame. The rungs themselves will be fashioned from a 2x4 sawed to the appropriate size and shape.

Depending on the spacing between the rungs, two 8 foot (2.4 m) (2.4 m) long 2x4's may be needed instead of one 12 foot (3.7 m) 2x4.

Use only high-quality pressure-treated lumber. Since it’s made to withstand heavier loads, you can be sure that it will hold up under hours and hours of intense training.

In addition to the raw lumber, you’ll also need a hammer or electric drill, 3” (7.6 cm) nails or heavy-duty wood screws, a handsaw, a bag of quickset concrete, and a tape measure.

Materials

2 12'-15' (3.7-4.6 m) 4x4 posts

1 10' (3 m) 2x6 board

1 12' (3.7 m) 2x4 board

Hammer

3" (7.6 cm) nails

Electric drill

Heavy-duty wood screws

Post hole digger

1 bag Quick Set concrete mix

Water

Tape measure

Straight edge

Pencil (for marking measurements)

The Total cost for the materials is around $100.00 making it much cheaper than any salmon ladder you can buy and you have the satisfaction of making it your own.

Step 2: Assemble the Frame

Assemble the ladder before you place the posts in the holes. This will make it easier to build. After you attach all of the posts and insert the ladder into the hole, you will need to measure the top and bottom of the ladder to make sure that they are evenly spaced. Then cement the ladder.

Use the 2x6 to connect the posts. Saw the board to 45-46” (1.1-1.2 m) so that it’s just the right length to bridge the gap between the vertical supports and complete the frame, which is 42" (1 m) wide. Line up the ends of the 2x6 with the outer edges of the posts and nail or screw it down at both ends. This piece will serve as the upper portion of the frame.

You'll need to stand on a ladder or step stool while affixing the top piece and individual rungs
Buying precut lumber will save you some time, if you don’t mind paying a little extra. That way, all you’ll have to do is assemble the individual pieces once you get them home.

Mark the posts where the rungs will go. Your starting point on the Salmon Ladder will be decided primarily by your unique stature. You want it to be low enough to climb safely and comfortably, but not so low that you’re forced to stoop or crouch to get in position. Once you’ve decided on the optimal placement for the first set of rungs, space every next set 12" (30 cm) apart.

A good way to determine where to put the lowest rungs is to reach up along the frame with one hand (without stretching too far) and draw a line on the side of the post.
Measure and mark each set separately and use a flat board or straight edge to make sure they’re evenly aligned.
12” (30 cm) rung spacing is the official standard used for the American Ninja Warrior course, but yours can be more or less as you see fit.
For beginners, 6" (15 cm) rung spacing can be helpful for learning how to do the Salmon Ladder.

Cut the rungs to the appropriate size and shape. Starting on one end of the 2x4, draw a line at a 30-35 degree angle every 12” (30 cm). Saw the board along these lines to fashion the individual rungs for the ladder. Keep in mind that you’ll need an even number of rungs, one for each side

]If you are spacing your rungs at 6" (15 cm), then you will need to draw your lines every 6" (15 cm) instead of 12" (30 cm). You should still draw them at a 30-35 degree angle.
You may need additional lumber to produce a full set of rungs, depending on how high your want the obstacle to be.

Fasten the rungs to the posts. Position the rungs over the marks you made earlier, and line up one of the angled ends with the backside of the frame’s interior edge. Then, nail or screw the rungs into place. Install 2 opposing rungs at a time, rather than working straight up the posts, so you can check their placement as you go.

Use multiple nails or screws to make sure the rungs are secure.
Once they’re attached, each rung will have a 30-35 degree incline, perfect for catching the bar as you work your way up the ladder.

Step 3: Mounting Your Salmon Ladder

Dig holes to set the support beams. Use a post hole digger to clear the soil by hand quickly and ensure that the holes are uniform. Each hole should be approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) deep and 1 foot (0.30 m) across. Space them roughly 42” (1 m) apart in order to leave a comfortable amount of distance to maneuver between the posts.

A flat, stable patch of ground with plenty of room to move around will make the best site for your Salmon Ladder.

It's also a good idea to position your Salmon Ladder where you can attach other supports. This could mean resting it against a tree or adding additional supports at the top

.The length of the 4x4 posts will correspond to the total height of the obstacle. For a standard 11’-12’ (3.4-3.7 m) ladder, you’ll need to have your posts cut to 15’-17’ (4.6-5 m).

Insert the posts into the holes. Slide the end of the first post into one of the openings you just made and stand it upright carefully. Then, do the same with the second post. Once you've set the supports, double check that they're straight, with corners and faces perfectly aligned.

Recruit one or -- even better -- a few assistants to help you position and hold the heavy 4x4s.
Use a level to make sure the posts are sitting evenly, and stretch a separate board across the two posts to test whether it sits flush.
If you live in an area that receives a lot of precipitation, consider adding about 3” (7.6 cm) of gravel, sand, or aggregate to the holes before setting the posts to promote drainage. Keeping the wood dry will prevent it from rotting or splitting over time.

Pour concrete to stabilize the posts. While a helper holds each post steady, shake half a bag of quickset concrete into each hole. Mix it to a consistency similar to cake batter by adding water gradually. Make sure the concrete is evenly distributed around the supports at the bottom of the holes. It should begin to set within 15-20 minutes, depending on the weather.

Consider setting the posts on one day, then returning to complete construction the next to give the concrete plenty of time to dry.
Avoid putting any weight on the Salmon Ladder until the concrete has fully hardened.

Step 4: Further Ideas

As with all things the more we practice the better we get. Once you have mastered the salmon ladder you can add on to the structure in many different ways. Allow your self some room to expand your course and make it a full ninja warrior course. For those of you who dont have to time or skill to build your own salmon ladder there are many commercial options available. For more ideas on how to build a larger ninja course check out my other instructable. Remember to be safe, have fun and Ninja On!!

Salmon ladder options:

Salmon Ladder SMS https://customdesigncrafts.com/fitness-products/s...

Floating Salmon Ladder https://www.american-gymnast.com/product/floating...

Normal Katana Salmon Ladder https://www.american-gymnast.com/product/salmon-la...

Double Salmon Ladder https://www.american-gymnast.com/product/double-sa...