About

Discover the incredible benefits of ninja warrior training!

At New York Ninja Academy, children and adults of all skill levels learn how to analyze, approach, and conquer ninja warrior obstacles. Our challenging and unique obstacles reflect those seen on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.

Have fun and push yourself to new limits! Kids classes are geared towards learning the basics, adult classes are designed for all levels, and advanced one-on-one classes prepare athletes for competition. Many of our staff and students have been Ninja Warrior competitors, and even some of our young students have competed on American Ninja Warrior Junior. 

MEET THE TEAM

We are a diverse group of ninjas with various athletic backgrounds

MEET OUR OWNER

Madelyn Scarpulla is a long-time music industry professional having held senior marketing and creative positions at several major and independent record labels, and a major-market radio station. Madelyn made the bold decision to open her first ninja warrior training facility in 2019. “Opening New York City Ninja Academy and Brooklyn Ninja Academy allowed me to combine my entrepreneurial skills and business savvy with my life-long passion for athletics. My terrific team and I have created a thriving close-knit community of ninja families and athletes in New York City. Now, I’m excited to bring the sport of ninja warrior to Los Angeles in the same spirit.”

COACH DARION

Darion Bennett is a ninja coach, teacher, trainer, and obstacle course competitor. Teaching ninja is his passion. He has helped lead hundreds of athletes (as well as himself) to multiple Regional and World championships in the World Ninja League season after season. Darion has appeared on American Ninja Warrior in Seasons 10, 14, 15 where he competed at the Semi-Final level. Darion coaches advanced students and team at both Manhattan and Brooklyn locations.

COACH JORDAN
Jordan Carr on Salmon Ladder
Jordan Carr (formerly) our youngest coach, yet possibly our most accomplished in ninja. Jordan is a 2 time World Ninja League World Champion, she appeared on American Ninja Warrior Junior Seasons 2 and 3, and is appeared on American Ninja Warrior Season 14 as the youngest woman ever to hit a buzzer. Her ninja coach is ANW’s 13-time veteran, Flip Rodriguez, and she brings a level of intensity to her coaching that she learned from Flip, and has passed down to our top ninja students. Jordan is also a rock climber and member of Team USA Speed Climbing team.

STUDENTS BECOME COACHES

L to R: Coach Wray, Coach Graydon, Coach Malone – our long time ninja students and competitive team members have become coaches themselves. Wray joined us on the first day we opened our doors as one of our first students. Graydon has been training for 3 years and is a member of our competitive team. Malone, our youngest coach, holds the #1 Preteen Female spot and Strongest Ninja in the World Ninja League Season IX.

 

COACH SEAN

Originally from Ithaca, NY, Sean has been living in New York City for over a decade. When he’s not coaching, or competing in the World Ninja League, he’s acting on stage and camera, and performing his original singer/songwriter music. A certified personal trainer, Sean is excited that his future is Ninja Warrior, and he has the opportunity to inspire those he teaches.

COACH CLEON

Coach Cleon has been training parkour since he was 14 years old. As a former child himself, he loves the idea of instilling confidence in a younger generation. He enjoys weightlifting, video games, traveling, and skateboarding. Cleon’s super power is that he remembers the faces and names of all the kids he coaches. While they are often mistaken for one another, Coaches Cleon and Ashante are not the same person, nor are they related.

COACH SEBASTIAN

Coach Sebastian was a Division I Track & Field Athlete at Stony Brook University and has earned MVP for his football, wrestling, and track teams. He was a javelin thrower and a sprinter. He competes at the Elite level in World Ninja League and coaches advanced students and team at both Manhattan and Brooklyn locations.

COACH LAWRENCE

Lawrence Williams has an extensive parkour and gymnastics background, and has been coaching ninja warrior for over 5 years. Coach Lawrence loves to work with his students to achieve their specific goals. His positive attitude and great energy is contagious with the kids that he coaches, and his class environment is always full of encouragement and support. Lawrence continues to improve as a coach and a ninja himself, inspired by the kids, his fellow coaches, and the desire to compete in the WNL.

What People Are Saying...

My son competes in the World Ninja League and NYC Ninja Academy is one of THE BEST gyms on the circuit! The gym, equipment, and amazing staff make this a favorite location to visit and definitely a highlight of our season!! If you haven’t been there you should check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Holly V.

I love this place! I live close by so it kind of feels like a second home to me. Thank you guys for the good vibes and awesome obstacle courses. I highly recommend training here.

Bryan J.

The customer service is INCREDIBLE! Both via email with reservations and reschedulings, and the coaches are so nice! Great place to have a birthday party, even for adults!

James G.

This was a blast! My kids took part in an introductory Drop In class and loved it! Instructors were attentive, knowledgeable, and patient. Stressing safety and inclusion, my kids came away from this feeling empowered, and begging to come back.

Chris L.

Fun and engaging for kids and adults! Warped walls, balance obstacles, and a million other challenging stations to conquer! Like nothing else in the city!

Emma C.

As if by magic, the owner has found a talented/kind group of coaches and staff. Their management of the kiddos during classes is an astonishing mix of teaching through encouragement, support and persistence. They never let a kid get discouraged – in fact, making sure every kid walks out of class with their head held high seems to be the priority.

Debra F.

We love this place. The coaches are fantastic. My kid feels challenged and has learned new skills he can use both inside and out of the gym.

Marlena B.

We celebrated my daughter’s 10th birthday at NY Ninja Academy. My 12 year old son and his friend joined in the party. Everyone had a wonderful time. The staff was great with the kids. On the way home the 6 kids I had in the car could not stop talking about the instructors and how much fun they had. Highly recommend.

Kim K.

Wow! By far the best birthday experience my 3 sons ever had. Our instructors were amazing teaching 10 energetic boys! We will definitely be signing up for classes. Great facility too!

Sarah U.

My child is growing in confidence and is working on his strength and stamina in a fun, motivating and social atmosphere!

Paula D.

My 16 year old son loves every moment he spends at NYC Ninja. He enjoys all the people and staff. It’s like a family gathering and not like a gym.

Francine E.

My wife and I visited as drop-ins, and our coach was excellent at explaining the obstacles, giving feedback, and progressions for obstacles we weren’t able to complete. This was NOT an easy course but was fun and challenging. I never realized how scared I’d be of trying the warped wall! Some obstacles are permanent and some rotate out. We don’t live in this area, we were visiting, but we will look forward to returning here!!!

Rick P.

Great gym! Came all the way from Ohio and was worth every mile traveled!

Sean E.

A great place for kids. They balance fun, discipline, mental and physical strength. They teach them to use skill, intelligence and effort to overcome challenges. And while it is about individual achievement, you are not competing with others but only yourself and what you are personally capable of achieving. Everyone is in it together and striving towards the same goals. The various instructors that I have met have been excellent with the children – combining fun, learning, implementing rules, ensuring fairness and being patience while maintaining control.

Tony A.

These guys are amazing with kids… patient and caring while being fun and safe all at the same time! Highly recommend.

Antonio V.