
American Ninja Warrior 5's Floating Stairs in Denver
The Floating Stairs is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 5 during Denver finals.
It consisted of 13 steps, divided into three sections. The first section was angled upward with three steps, the second section was angled downward with six steps, and the third section was angled upward with four steps.
Competitors must move across the steps, with a similar fashion to the Devil Steps, but instead of grabbing on one side of the steps, competitors must grab on the left and right side of the steps.
During Denver finals, the obstacle had taken out several top competitors (e.g. Lorin Ball, Jake Smith, Josh Grant, Chris Romrell, Camilo Brokaw, and Caleb Garnham. Only nine out of 24 competitors who attempted the obstacle could complete it. A large factor in these fails were that the Salmon Ladder required five leaps in order to complete it, more than previous or future seasons. As most competitors during this season had not mastered that obstacle yet, it drained tons of strength, leaving very little left for the Floating Stairs. Majority of the fails didn't even reach the final section, gassing out at the beginning or middle. The combination of the 7th and 8th obstacle would prove incredibly difficult, eliminating 19 competitors in total.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 6[]

American Ninja Warrior 6's Floating Stairs in Miami
The Floating Stairs returned on American Ninja Warrior 6, as the ninth obstacle during Miami finals, meaning there was a resting platform between the previous obstacle (the Minefield) and the obstacle itself. It was slightly modified; while the obstacle still consisted of 13 steps, each 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) away from the next one and was divided into three sections, the number of steps in each section was changed, with the first section was angled upward with five steps, the second section was angled downward with four steps, and the third section was angled upward with four steps.
However, unlike during Denver finals on the previous season, the obstacle was proven to be easier, as only one competitor (Luciano Acuna Jr.) failed on it.
Hanging Staircase[]

American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja's Hanging Staircase
A variation of Floating Stairs, named Hanging Staircase, appeared as the fifth obstacle during the playoffs of American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs Ninja. This version featured two boards, each one consisted of eight steps, made up an up-down pattern. However, placed between two boards was a series of horizontal monkey bars which would swing once competitors traversed through them, similar to the Swing Ladder. Only the first board had two paths for two competitors, while both the ladder part and the second board had only one path for both two competitors to race.
Throughout four playoffs, this obstacle eliminated a total of eight competitors, such as: Mathis Owhadi, Cassie Craig, Dan Yager, Jesse La Flair, Adam Rayl, JJ Woods, Kevin Carbone and Brian Wilczewski.
Other Appearances[]
Floating Stairs[]
Team Ninja Warrior[]

Team Ninja Warrior 1's Floating Stairs
The Floating Stairs reappeared on the third episode of Team Ninja Warrior 1 as the fifth obstacle. The obstacle is once again divided into 3 sections, one upward section, then a downward section and back to an upward section, with 8 'steps' on each section.
Ninja Warrior France[]

Ninja Warrior France 2's Floating Stairs
On Ninja Warrior France 2, the Floating Stairs, locally called Les Marches du Ciel (literally The Steps of Heaven) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Finals' Stage One, which was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 5.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]

Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Floating Stairs
On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, Floating Stairs appeared as the fifth obstacle of Preliminary Round 2. It was similar to the version from France, with three, six and four steps on the first, second and third section respectively. But with a wider gap between the second and third section than the first and second.
Team Ninja Warrior Germany[]

Team Ninja Warrior Germany 1's Floating Stairs
On Team Ninja Warrior Germany 1, Floating Stairs appeared as the fourth obstacle of the K.O. round in Episode 1 and 3. It consisted of two sections only, the first section was downward and had four steps, while the second was upward and had six. A lache bar was also added at the start.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]

Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Floating Stairs

A complete view of Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Floating Stairs
On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Floating Stairs appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 4. However, compared to the one used on American Ninja Warrior; the obstacle featured:
- Only two sections, each with eight steps. The first section was angled downward, while the second section was angled upward.
- A slanted pole at the start of the obstacle, as a medium to reach the first step of the first section.
Hence, this version is basically the Arabian version, but with the first section replaced with a slanted pole.

Australian Ninja Warrior 3's Floating Stairs

Side view of Australian Ninja Warrior 3's Floating Stairs
Then, on Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Floating Stairs appeared as the fourth obstacle in Semifinal 1. This time, the slanted pole was removed, the pattern was flipped to up and down, and the gap between the boards was widened to 1m. At the end of the obstacle, they must make a 3.3m dismount to the platform.
Ninja Warrior Arabia[]

Ninja Warrior Arabia's Floating Stairs
Floating Stairs was the eighth and penultimate obstacle of Stage 1 of Ninja Warrior Arabia, which was similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 5, but with eight steps per section, with a total of 24 steps.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]

Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Floating Stairs
Floating Stairs was the fifth obstacle of Heat 2 and 6 of Ninja Warrior Austria 2. The first upward section has 3 steps, the second downward section has six and the third and final upward section has four.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]

Ninja Warrior Poland 2's Floating Stairs
In Ninja Warrior Poland 2 the obstacle appeared in Heat 1 and Heat 4 as the fifth obstacle, which was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 5. The first section was 1.5 meters long, the second was 3 meters long and the third was 2 meters long.

Ninja Warrior Poland 9's Floating Stairs
It appeared once again on Ninja Warrior Poland 9, as the fourth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 6. This time, as with Cycle Road, there was a trampoline in front of the obstacle and a lachรฉ bar in front of the first set of stairs. Additionally, the second section of the stairs has now been placed slightly above the first section.
Hanging Staircase[]
Ninja Israel[]
In Ninja Warrior Israel, the Hanging Staircase, locally called ืืืืจืืืช ืืืจืืคืืช (literally Floating Stairs) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 7, Heat 11 and VIP Heat. However, there was only one path was presented, since there was no face-to-face competition format existed there until new head to head format in Ninja Warrior Israel 5. Also, the obstacle was modified in several heats:

Ninja Israel's Hanging Staircase
- In Heat 7 and Heat 11, the hanging ladder was replaced by a series of four objects from Minefield.

Ninja Israel's Hanging Staircase to Cargo Net
- In VIP Heat, the obstacle featured only one section, as the hanging ladder and the second section was replaced by a rope and cargo net (in a similar to the Rope Swing into Cargo Net).

Ninja Israel 5's Hanging Staircase
Then, in Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Hanging Staircase, appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 2, Heat 7 and Semifinal 3, with similar configurations to American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs Ninja (since the obstacle has two paths through all three parts), except that the hanging ladder was replaced by two hanging metal pipes from Pipefitter.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]

Ninja Warrior Poland 3's Hanging Staircase
In Ninja Warrior Poland 3, the Hanging Staircase, locally called Wiszฤ ca Drabina (literally Hanging Ladder) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 1 and Heat 4. Compared to the appearance in American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs Ninja and Ninja Israel:
- Only one path was presented through all three parts, since there was no face-to-face competition format taking place, making the obstacle similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior Israel.
- The number of steps were reduced: four steps in the first board and six steps in the second board.
Team Ninja Warrior Germany[]

Team Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Hanging Staircase
On Team Ninja Warrior Germany 2, Hanging Staircase appeared as the fifth obstacle of Seeding and Relay in Episode 1 and 2. The first, upward section had six steps, while the third, downward section had four.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/Polsat/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found
American Ninja Warrior[]
Floating Stairs | |||
---|---|---|---|
ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
ANW5 | 9 | 28 | 32.14% |
ANW6 | 10 | 11 | 90.91% |
Total | 19 | 39 | 48.72% |
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Floating Stairs | |||
---|---|---|---|
NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
NWP2 (Heat 1) | 9 | 13 | 69.23% |
NWP2 (Heat 4) | 9 | 12 | 75% |
NWP9 (Heat 2) | 10 | 16 | 62.5% |
NWP9 (Heat 6) | 6 | 16 | 37.5% |
Total | 34 | 57 | 59.65% |
Hanging Staircase | |||
---|---|---|---|
NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
NWP3 (Heat 1) | 14 | 14 | 100% |
NWP3 (Heat 4) | 15 | 16 | 93.75% |
Total | 29 | 30 | 96.67% |
Ninja Israel[]
Hanging Staircase | |||
---|---|---|---|
NWI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
NWI1 (Heat 7) | 6 | 10 | 60% |
NWI1 (VIP) | 8 | 10 | 80% |
NWI1 (Heat 11) | 4 | 6 | 66.67% |
NWI5 (Heat 2) | 20 | 20 | 100% |
NWI5 (Heat 7) | 15 | 20 | 75% |
NWI5 (Semifinal 3) | 10 | 10 | 100% |
Total | 63 | 76 | 82.89% |