How to Get Involved in the Sport of Parkour
In 2004, the world had it’s eyes opened to the sport/art of Parkour. Now, every single day, thousands of people try to get started with it. So, how do you do it?
One of the best things about Parkour is that you can do it pretty much anywhere. You do not need special access to a gym, or special place to practice. That is what it is all about. Freedon of movement. So, no matter where you live, you have someplace to practice.
There is more to it then just a location when you want to learn how to Parkour. Everyone loves watching the videos on YouTube where people are jumping from roof to roof, or off roofs, flipping off walls, and other crazy tricks. Take a minute to watch some of the Parkour Fail videos. It can be very dangerous, and people have died. This is usually because they try to do things that their body, or their mind, simply aren’t ready for. In order to get started with Parkour the right way, you need to have a strong physical base. Strength, speed, flexibility, agility, and endurance are very important in keeping you safe during Parkour. Nothing will guarantee that you will not get hurt, but believe me when I say that you want every advantage on your side that you can get. The mental strength will come when you progress you skills, starting with the basics of course.
Finding a group to train with is also very important, and there are a few reasons for that. First of all, there is safety in number. If you are out practicing and you get hurt, you want people to be around to help you. This is why you never practice Parkour alone. Second, the more people that you train with, the more ideas that are being shared. It is also a great way to meet new people. There are plenty of groups out there. A simple search online may help you find one in your area. Facebook is a great place to find area groups.
Before you go trying the crazy moves that you see online, take the time to learn the basics. I suggest starting with the roll landing and basic vaults. By mastering these first, you will give yourself a strong foundation for your Parkour. These will help you not only get from point A to point B in the fastest way possible, which is typically what Parkour is about, but some of the vaults are pretty easy to learn, and they will look great when you start making your videos.
