WINDSOR, Colo.—A.J. Johnson slips on a helmet and stares across the blue padded mat at a certain Travis Steele. At the signal, Johnson rushes toward him, fighting through giant rubber tubing to finally tackle the man—who, in a week, would become his brother-in-law.
“He’s marrying my sister, so I’ve got to beat him down,” joked Johnson, signaling a mischievous smile at Steele’s bachelor party. “That’s all there is to it.”
Taking cues from the “American Gladiator” television show and featuring such games as “Jousting,” “Aerial Kung Fu” and “Human Jenga,” owners of the Xtreme Challenge Gladiator Fusion Arena are looking to give area residents the chance to become well-trained athletes, better-communicating employees or simply rowdy bachelors.
The business moved to Windsor in June, after about six months in Fort Collins. It is the first franchise to spin off of former “American Gladiators” contestant Kyler Storm’s flagship business in Thornton. Chuck Richards, owner of the Windsor franchise, said a third venue was scheduled to open soon in Littleton.
With the rights to many of the popular games seen on the show and 150 to 200 Xtreme games total, including a rough-and-tumble version of “Tug O War” and a human-powered go-cart race (where tackling is encouraged), the business allows people the chance to get a tough physical workout while having more fun than they would on a treadmill.
“It is harder than it looks,” said Johnson, out of breath.
Yet, simply put, according to Richards, the games are a physical workout best described through a physics lesson. Pointing out a game wherein three people sit on straps connected to the ceiling while running in circles—being flung into the air in the process—Richards sounds more like a science teacher than workout instructor and businessman.
“We’re creating centrifugal force, we’re creating angular momentum, seeing weight distribution,” Richards said. “And all that time you’re laughing the whole time you’re doing that.”
Through this fun, yet physically intensive exercise, Richards hopes to lure more than just athletes looking to train. He wants to interest children and adults celebrating birthdays and bachelor parties, teachers looking for a way to relate classroom materials to everyday life and even business associates.
“Corporate environment—a lot of the people just don’t talk to each other,” said Richards, describing a game wherein participants are forced to get from one end of the venue to the other only through using giant, inflatable balls. “So it forces the communication, it helps them, it’s a strength thing—it’s very unique.
“It’s not paint ball or laser tag, but it’s a lot of talking back and forth about how do we do this, how do we get across these obstacles.”
Back amid the nonalcoholic bachelor party, Johnson is looking a little more tired—still sweating from his latest bout on “Breakthrough.” For him, however, the Xtreme physical excursion is worth it.
“Any way to break each other legally is good,” Johnson said.
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