Depending on the spacing between the rungs, two 8 foot (2. 4 m) (2. 4 m) long 2x4’s may be needed instead of one 12 foot (3. 7 m) 2x4. Use only high-quality pressure-treated lumber. Since it’s made to withstand heavier loads, you can be sure that it will hold up under hours and hours of intense training. In addition to the raw lumber, you’ll also need a hammer or electric drill, 3” (7. 6 cm) nails or heavy-duty wood screws, a handsaw, a bag of quickset concrete, and a tape measure.
A flat, stable patch of ground with plenty of room to move around will make the best site for your Salmon Ladder. It’s also a good idea to position your Salmon Ladder where you can attach other supports. This could mean resting it against a tree or adding additional supports at the top. The length of the 4x4 posts will correspond to the total height of the obstacle. For a standard 11’-12’ (3. 4-3. 7 m) ladder, you’ll need to have your posts cut to 15’-17’ (4. 6-5 m).
Recruit one or – even better – a few assistants to help you position and hold the heavy 4x4s. Use a level to make sure the posts are sitting evenly, and stretch a separate board across the two posts to test whether it sits flush. If you live in an area that receives a lot of precipitation, consider adding about 3” (7. 6 cm) of gravel, sand, or aggregate to the holes before setting the posts to promote drainage. Keeping the wood dry will prevent it from rotting or splitting over time. [3] X Research source
Consider setting the posts on one day, then returning to complete construction the next to give the concrete plenty of time to dry. Avoid putting any weight on the Salmon Ladder until the concrete has fully hardened. You can find a blueprint for a Salmon Ladder here: http://www. ninjawarriorblueprints. com/salmon-ladder-plans/.
You’ll need to stand on a ladder or step stool while affixing the top piece and individual rungs. Buying precut lumber will save you some time, if you don’t mind paying a little extra. That way, all you’ll have to do is assemble the individual pieces once you get them home.
A good way to determine where to put the lowest rungs is to reach up along the frame with one hand (without stretching too far) and draw a line on the side of the post. Measure and mark each set separately and use a flat board or straight edge to make sure they’re evenly aligned. 12” (30 cm) rung spacing is the official standard used for the American Ninja Warrior course, but yours can be more or less as you see fit. [6] X Research source For beginners, 6" (15 cm) rung spacing can be helpful for learning how to do the Salmon Ladder.
If you are spacing your rungs at 6" (15 cm), then you will need to draw your lines every 6" (15 cm) instead of 12" (30 cm). You should still draw them at a 30-35 degree angle. You may need additional lumber to produce a full set of rungs, depending on how high your want the obstacle to be.
Use multiple nails or screws to make sure the rungs are secure. Once they’re attached, each rung will have a 30-35 degree incline, perfect for catching the bar as you work your way up the ladder. [8] X Research source
Try hanging from the bar to see how it feels before you start training. If the material is too heavy, it will make it difficult to move quickly. If it’s too light, it may be in danger of snapping after a few big jumps.
Most tumbling mats are segmented, which means they can be folded up and put away when they’re not in use. You could also dig a shallow depression under the frame of your Salmon Ladder and fill it with foam blocks, sand, water, wood chips, or some other substance that will offer a little give. Create an 8"-12" (20-30. 5 cm) deep cushion.
Draft a blueprint for your comprehensive course before you begin building to get a sense of how each obstacle should fit together. For a true test of endurance, save the Salmon Ladder for the tail end of the course.
