About The Grip Ninja
Built by ninjas, for ninjas. Training athletes of all ages since day one.
Our Story
What started as a backyard obstacle course with over 50 hand-built obstacles has grown into Southern Utah's premier ninja warrior training facility. The Grip Ninja was founded by two American Ninja Warrior competitors who wanted to bring world-class obstacle training to St. George — and make fitness fun for the whole family.
Meet the Founders
The ninjas behind The Grip.
Brian Beckstrand
Co-Founder & Head Coach
Brian grew up in St. George, Utah. He played basketball for Dixie High School before attending Dixie College and Southern Virginia University. Married to Holly, the couple has five children who all share his passion for ninja training.
What started as a backyard project — building over 50 custom ninja obstacles at home — became the spark that ignited The Grip Ninja. Brian competed on American Ninja Warrior in seasons 7 and 8, qualifying both years, and channels that competition experience directly into his coaching.
His mission is simple: make fitness fun through ninja training, and give athletes of every age a place to push their limits.
John Merrihew
Co-Founder & Master Builder
John is a certified rescue diver and sponsored semi-professional wakeboarder with an athletic background that spans multiple sports. He played football for Virgin Valley High School and was selected to compete in the Down Under Bowl with the Nevada State All-Star team.
His football career continued with the Salt Lake Blitz and St. George Blitz semi-pro teams. After training with Brian, John was selected for American Ninja Warrior season 8, bringing his own brand of power and grit to the course.
Off the course, John owns Gate Solutions, an iron fence and gate fabrication company in Washington, Utah, which he has operated for over 17 years. He designed and built every steel structure and obstacle at The Grip — earning him the nickname "Iron Man." John is also fluent in Spanish.
Come Train With the Best
Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned competitor, there's a class for you.