Ninja franchise makes Florida debut in Fort Myers

Construction is wrapping up on a new type of gym for children in south Fort Myers.

Ultimate Ninjas Academy will be the first in Florida for the Chicago-based franchise. The center on College Parkway will include obstacle courses for kids ages 10 months to 10 years old and offer classes emphasizing balance and fitness. The 3,000-square-foot space will also feature a rock-climbing wall.

The owners of the Fort Myers Ultimate Ninjas Academy are Jim Stewart and Cordula Reichardt, who also own neighboring Anytime Fitness and have for the past 10-plus years. Their long-term goal of establishing more health and fitness-oriented businesses is being realized with the opening of Ultimate Ninjas Academy in late February, according to a statement.

To staff the new facility, the couple is hiring college-age, fitness-oriented individuals. They expect Ultimate Ninjas Academy to generate 10 positions.

Kristen Gustafson, who was a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness next door, will be the operations manager of Ultimate Ninjas Academy, guiding memberships, classes and events for the children, according to Reichardt.

Image via Ultimate Ninjas Academy of Fort Myers / Facebook

Ultimate Ninjas Academy in Fort Myers will be the second gym for the franchise, which has five locations in various stages of construction around the country. The flagship location is in Naperville, Illinois. 

“The concept was conceived to respond to an increased demand for pre-k and toddler programming,” according to a statement. The academy will offer instruction from beginning movement to independent skill-based obstacle classes.

Ultimate Ninjas Academy is under the same corporate umbrella as Ultimate Ninjas training gyms, which are larger and have offerings for adults as well as children. There are nine Ultimate Ninjas locations nationwide, with five in development.

The first day of classes will be Feb. 24 at Ultimate Ninjas Academy, 9281 College Parkway, Fort Myers.