By Kaki at The Ninja Gym – Collierville, TN
We live in a world of instant everything — instant streaming, instant answers, instant results. Kids get used to things coming easily, and when something feels hard, frustration sets in fast.
At The Ninja Gym in Collierville, we see what happens when kids learn to push through challenges instead of avoiding them. They fall, they try again, they cheer for others doing the same. That’s what grit looks like, and it might be one of the most important life skills a child can develop.
What Grit Really Means for Kids
Grit isn’t just toughness. It’s the combination of perseverance and passion — the ability to stay committed to a goal even when it takes time, effort, and a few failures along the way.
For kids, grit shows up in the small moments: trying the same obstacle for the fifth time, holding a balance a few seconds longer, taking a deep breath before another attempt. These experiences teach patience, focus, and resilience.
At The Ninja Gym, we see this play out every day. A seven-year-old spends an entire class session working up the courage to run up the warped wall. They don’t make it the first few times, but with coaching, encouragement, and persistence, they finally grab the top edge. Their face says it all — that mix of relief, pride, and realization that they did something hard. That’s grit.
How Ninja Training Builds Grit Naturally
Ninja training is the perfect environment for developing grit because progress is visible, effort is rewarded, and setbacks are built into the experience.
1. Visible Progress
Kids can see and feel improvement. They learn that consistency pays off — that practice leads to results.
2. Safe Failure
Obstacles are designed for trial and error. Falling isn’t a setback; it’s feedback. Every attempt builds coordination, confidence, and determination.
3. Coaching that Encourages Ownership
Our coaches don’t jump in to fix every problem. They guide kids to figure things out on their own. That moment of “I did it” hits differently when it’s earned.
4. Community and Teamwork
Kids see others working hard, failing, laughing, and trying again. They learn that grit isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence — together.
As one parent recently told us,
“My son used to get frustrated and give up easily. After a few weeks in Ninja class, he’s learned that it’s okay to struggle. Now he looks forward to doing hard things because he knows he’ll get better.”
Why Grit Matters Beyond the Gym
The lessons learned on the floor go far beyond movement. A child who practices perseverance in class is more likely to stick with a difficult math problem, a long-term project, or a new instrument at home.
When kids experience hard work, frustration, and eventual success in a positive setting, they build real self-belief. They learn that effort is what creates confidence — not perfection.
At The Ninja Gym, we tell our athletes all the time: “You’re not training just to get stronger. You’re training to keep going.”
How Parents Can Help Build Grit at Home
Grit is a skill that grows with practice, and parents play a big role in reinforcing it.
- Celebrate effort, not just results. Instead of “You’re so good at that,” try “I love how hard you worked on that.”
- Model persistence. Let your kids see you struggle, try again, and eventually figure something out.
- Reframe frustration. When your child says “I can’t,” respond with “You can’t yet.”
A Collierville mom recently told us,
“Ninja has changed how we talk about frustration at home. Now when my daughter struggles, she says, ‘I just need more tries.’ That mindset shift is huge.”
The Takeaway
Grit isn’t something kids are born with. It’s something they build through challenge, encouragement, and consistent effort.
At The Ninja Gym, we create space for that growth to happen — one obstacle, one try, one victory at a time.
If you want your child to build real confidence that lasts, book a trial class today and watch them discover what they’re capable of.
In Health,
Kaki Carter, General Manager of Ninja Gym Collierville
Parent. Coach. Believer in Brave Kids.
