Parkour, also known by freerunning, is an athletic discipline which involves moving fluidly through space using a combination o running, jumping, climbing and flipping to overcome obstacles. Parkour requires strength and speed, agility, creativity, and creativity. This comprehensive guide will take you through the basics of parkour and give you tips and tricks to help you succeed in this challenging and exciting sport.

Parkour’s history

Parkour was created in France in 1980s by a group young men who were interested to do extreme physical exertion for self-expression. David Belle and Sebastien Folcan were heavily influenced from their military training, as well as their backgrounds in martial arts and gymnastics. Parkour began in Paris as a way to exercise and learn. Parkour practitioners inspire others today with their incredible feats and dedication to breaking down mental and physical boundaries.

Parkour has many benefits

Parkour has many benefits that go beyond the physical. Parkour can improve your mental and psychological wellbeing. It can increase self-confidence and self-esteem, problem-solving skills, focus and concentration, stress reduction, spatial awareness and coordination, and enhance creativity and self expression.

Parkour: Essential Skills

It is important to have a solid foundation in order to be able to tackle the challenges of parkour. These skills include:

Strength and Conditioning

Parkour requires a lot of strength and endurance to jump, climb and move through space. Start by strengthening your strength and conditioning with exercises like push-ups and pull-ups. Your core strength and upper body will be essential for many parkour movements.

Balance and coordination

Parkour requires balance and coordination. To improve your balance, practice exercises such as walking on a narrow beam and balancing on one leg. You can improve coordination by practicing footwork drills like cone drills, ladder drills, and jumping drills.

Jumping and Landing

To avoid injury, jumping and landing are essential parkour skills. Jump and land from higher heights. Try to land softly with your legs and absorb the impact. You should focus on landing correctly, such as landing on your heels and keeping your knees bent.

Climbing and Vaulting

Climbing and vaulting require you to use your body to overcome obstacles like railings and walls. You can practice climbing techniques like wall runs, cat climbs, or climb-ups. Practice vaulting techniques such as the safety vault and Kong vault.

Parkour: How to Get Started

Now that you have a solid foundation in essential skills, you can start practicing parkour. These are some tips to get you started.

Find a safe training environment

Parkour can be practiced in a safe place such as a park, gym, or urban training area. You should choose an area that offers enough space and obstacles to meet your training needs.

Start slowly

Parkour is a difficult activity that requires perseverance and patience. Start with the basics and work your way up to more advanced techniques. Before you attempt more complicated movements, focus on the basics.

Train with others

Parkour is a community-based activity. Training with others can help you learn quicker and stay motivated. Find local groups and communities that offer parkour training.

Stay Safe

Parkour can be dangerous if you don’t approach it with safety and caution. Warm up before you start training, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, and don’t attempt any movement that you aren’t comfortable with or feel unsafe doing.

Advanced Techniques in Parkour

As you improve your parkour training, you will be able to explore more advanced techniques. These are some of the most difficult and impressive parkour techniques.

Wall Spin

Wall spin involves running toward a wall, jumping towards it, spinning in mid-air and landing on the other side. This movement requires a lot of core and upper body strength, as well precision timing and technique.

Bar Hang to Swing

The bar hang to swing is when you jump up to grab a horizontal rod, swing your body forward and upwards, and land on a platform. This movement requires coordination and timing as well as strength in the upper body.

Rail Pre

The rail pre involves running toward a railing, jumping off one side, and landing on another side. This movement requires precision footwork and timing as well as the ability of your legs to absorb impact.

Parkour Gear and Equipment

Parkour does not require much equipment or gear, but you can use some items to help you practice safely. Here are some essentials for parkour:

Training Shoes

Parkour requires good training shoes. They provide support, grip, and cushioning. You want shoes that have a flexible and flat sole, good traction, and adequate padding.

Protective Gear

Protective gear like elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards and knee pads can help to protect your joints and lower the risk of injury. Protective gear should be used for advanced movements.

Training Equipment

You can practice parkour safely and efficiently with equipment like plyometric boxes and wall pads. You want equipment that is durable and sturdy.

Parkour Philosophy and Culture

Parkour is more than a physical discipline. It also has its own philosophy. Parkour’s philosophy emphasizes the importance to overcome obstacles both mental and physical, as well as achieving personal growth. Parkour culture encourages creativity, community, respect for the environment, and compassion.

Parkour Jam

Parkour jams are a gathering of parkour practitioners to train, demonstrate, and socialize. Parkour jams are held often in public spaces and everyone is welcome to attend or watch.

Parkour Clothing

Parkour clothing is lightweight, flexible, and durable. This allows for unrestricted movement. You should look for clothing made from stretchy and breathable materials such as compression wear or athletic gear.

Parkour Ethics

Parkour’s code of ethics emphasizes safety, respect, and accountability for your actions. Parkour practitioners are encouraged and supported to practice safely and in a controlled manner, to respect the environment and the property of others, and to help one another improve and learn.

Conclusion

Parkour is a challenging and exciting discipline that requires creativity, courage, strength, and determination. This comprehensive guide will help you get started, stay safe, progress, and enjoy your parkour career, no matter if you are a beginner or seasoned practitioner. Always approach parkour with positivity, respect for others, and a commitment towards personal growth and self-expression. Happy training!