ENTERTAINMENT
SW Florida gets first USA Ninja Challenge gym, one of three in state
Charles RunnellsFort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Aug. 26, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
- A new gym inspired by the TV show “American Ninja Warrior” has opened in Bonita Springs.
- USA Ninja Challenge offers obstacle course training for children ages 4 to 17.
- The facility is the 50th location for the national chain and one of only three in Florida.
- Classes and activities aim to build strength, coordination, and confidence in a non-competitive environment.
Kids can’t wait to try out the obstacles they’ve seen on “American Ninja Warrior.”
The warped wall. The ropes and slack lines. The rings. The vertical and horizontal pegboards
You’ll find all those and more at Bonita Springs’ new USA Ninja Challenge, part of a national chain of fun ninja-themed gyms inspired by the hit TV show “American Ninja Warrior.”
“It’s become so popular,” says Anna Wiggins, co-owner of the Bonita gym, about the show. “And basically every child can try those out.”
Bonita Springs gets its own ninja gym for kids
USA Ninja Challenge Bonita Springs opened in May 2026, making it the 50th location in the New Hampshire-based youth-fitness program. It’s the only one in South Florida and just one of three in the entire state, according to the chain’s website
The gym offers ninja-training classes, workshops, summer camps and even ninja birthday parties — all to help develop confidence and build strength, fitness and coordination in kids ages 4-17. The classes and other activities are led by certified trainers
“It’s not a traditional sport,” Wiggins says. “We welcome all kids of different skills, different abilities. Every child in our gym can be successful.”
It’s the first gym venture for co-owners Anna Wiggins, a former regional account manager for PepsiCo, and her husband, Southwest Florida eye surgeon Duane Wiggins
Anna Wiggins says she was inspired by her own daughter and the lack of similar indoor fitness facilities for kids in the Bonita Springs area. “There was nothing around for her age.”
Wiggins says USA Ninja Challenge lets kids develop their ninja skills in a supportive environment that’s a lot different from traditional team sports
“They feel accepted and they develop confidence…” Wiggins says. “It’s not a team sport. The kids basically compete with themselves, not each other.”
More about USA Ninja Challenge in Bonita Springs, Florida
USA Ninja Challenge facility offers a ninja-style obstacle course with a warped wall, balance beams, jumping platforms, climbing walls, monkey bars, slack lines, ropes, cargo nets, traverse walls and balance challenges
You can find at USA Ninja Challenge Bonita Springs at 606 Bernpine Court, off Old 41 Road, in Bonita Springs
Classes range from $120-$125 a month
For more information, call 240-6716 or visit usaninjachallenge.com/locations/bonita-springs-fl
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him onFacebook (@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)
