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 (larger by 2 feet). As the result, it took out 4 competitors (Brian Kretsch, Sean Bryan, Grey Kantor and Ben Antoine).
Other Appearances[]
Ninja Warrior France[]
On Ninja Warrior France 2, the Escalator, literally translated L'Escalator introduced as part of the Split Decision in Qualification 1. Unlike American Ninja Warrior 8, each series have three free-swinging planks instead of four planks in the first series and two planks in the second series.
Then, on Ninja Warrior France 3, the Escalator appeared as the first obstacle in every Semifinals. The gap between each step was revealed to be 1.25m.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Escalator, locally called Schwingende Balken (literally Swinging Beams) appeared as the third obstacle in Preliminary Round 2 and 3, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 2.
It returned in Ninja Warrior Germany 3 as the third obstacle of Preliminary Round 7.
It returned in Ninja Warrior Germany 6 as the third obstacle of Preliminary Rounds 6 and 7. There were seven steps in total, four on the ascent and three on the descent.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
On Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Escalator appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 3 and Heat 4. Unlike American Ninja Warrior 8, the number of free-swinging planks were increased to seven, with four planks in the first series and three planks in the second series.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Escalator, literally translated הדרגנוע appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 13 and Heat 18, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior UK 5.
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.