How to Build an Obstacle Course Training Wall — Spartan!

If you love obstacle course races and the NFL, then we built this Team Colors obstacle course training wall with you in mind.

We built the obstacle wall to not just be a DIY training partner, but to be ‘your inspired when you’re tired’ wall. Here’s how to build an obstacle course training wall for Spartan athletes.

What’s the story behind the obstacle course training wall?

Since I caught the obstacle course race bug earlier this year, training has become part of our lifestyle. A simple jog now includes some burpees or buckets (full of rocks, don’t ask) and jumping. And maybe a spear throw mixed in.

So before you yell “AROO”; before the smoke bombs signal the start of something great, grab some tools and some lumber. This is the DIYers crab-crawl, burpee, trail run wall-building get-it-done DIY training wall with color that means nothing other than finish line.

And, the finished obstacle wall is not just green, black, and silver. It’s Philadelphia Eagles green, black, and silver from Glidden Team Color paint. However, Glidden no longer offers team colors, but Valspar does. Head over to Lowe’s to get your Valspar Team Colors paint.

Chance favors the prepared mind. Duress, the prepared body. So fire up.

How to build an obstacle course training wall

Getting ready for an obstacle course race starts here with a little how-to on how to build this obstacle course wall.

Left and right posts

Called ‘channels’ to DIY aces, are a sandwich: The bread is 2×6 and the cheese is one 2×4. Note the 9 1/2-inch block at the base.

Build the center post sandwich

The bread is still 2×6. The cheese is a 2×4 ripped in half—a table saw is good for this—and centered. Line up the center of the ripped piece (1 3/4-inch from the edge) with the center of the 2×6 (2 3/4-inches from the edge) and fasten. Remember to add the 9 1/2-inch bottom block.

The parts

Left, right and center posts (channels); wall slats (2×10); grab blocks; left, right and center triangular bases.

Note: The center base is the last thing we install. Because it supports the wall from both sides (as opposed to the ends like the left and right bases), it’s easiest to install one side and the bottom, then connect the other side. You’ll see in the video.

Paint the obstacle course training wall

Glidden Team Colors on deck. (If you want to get Team Colors, check out Valspar at Lowe’s.)

No joke, Glidden Team Colors has great hide, flow and coverage. The semi-gloss we used has a nice sheen and dried evenly. I have used A LOT of paint. I could tell within five minutes this was good stuff.

Note: The design, how to and mud and guts race juju is all me. The color is all Glidden’s NFL colors, Glidden Team Colors to be exact. We were sponsored by the Glidden brand paint for PPG to write this post, but the design, thoughts and opinions expressed are ours.

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Mark

A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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