Escalator

The Escalator is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 8 in Los Angeles.

Competitors must run up a series of 4 free-swinging planks, then down a series of 2 free-swinging planks without using their hands. Some competitors who fell on the obstacle because they either did not move fast enough or overthought the obstacle altogether.

During Los Angeles finals, the second step was removed, creating a large gap. As the result, it took out 3 competitors (Brian Kretsch, Sean Bryan, and Ben Antoine).

Other Appearances
On Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Escalator appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 3 and Heat 4.

Trivia

 * During qualifying/semifinal/city qualifiers/city finals on the first seven seasons of American Ninja Warrior, safety mats were filled below every third obstacle (the balance obstacle). However, the Escalator was the first to be filled with the water. Eventually, the area below every balance obstacle during city qualifiers/city finals was filled with the water, starting on American Ninja Warrior 8.