Parkour: How the hell do I get into it?

[klewless]

I need to find a place to do it.  I already do a little bit of it whenever I can like hopping fences and jumping down stairs and such but I cant find anyone else who is willing to.

Add me to the list

[Ad Bot]

[Vertzer]

Go on some videos on youtube, find something that you think you could do or want to learn, then look up tutorials on youtube.
After you got that part down, go outside, find an object that what you wish to practice could be practiced on, and go for it.

Me and my friends used to run around the train tracks jumping random buildings and climbing random things, then we got caught by the cops several times and decided to take it to the next level.
So we went around our neighborhood and tried out some parkour things that we saw in videos, eventually got better and better by practicing and moving on, and now are simply doing flips to add to the fun.
I don't really see parkour as a professional sport though or a profession, it just a hobby that keeps me busy during the summer. :)

Oh and practice somewhere with other beginners or away from the public. If someone is watching you it's a good idea to do something amazing. :P

(when jumping off of really high objects, landing crouched and absorbing the impact with your hands will hurt your hands, so a roll is recommended.)

Do not need muscles to do parkour. Just need speed and dexterity.
EDIT: Parkour is not as hard as people make it out to be.

Actually, for certain things you do need muslce. My friend is really weak, he can barely hold himself up in a handstand and can't do more than one pull up, if that's the case, I do suggest working on your muscles since he can't do certain moves very well such as cat leaping, double kongs, certain under bars, etc.

[Azerath]

Do want. D:

[Vertzer]

Oh and good shoes. Don't try jumping from rail to rail in skateboarding shoes or flip flops or anything. I learned that the hard way.

And if you're going to be trying some flips, it's not a good idea to wear jeans.

[Radial543]

Start by running a mile. Yes running not jogging. Build up over time by running longer. After you can run about 4 miles I would look for a local gymnastics trainer. Do a good amount of pushups a day. I do about 100 a day. After you learn to do some tricky tricks on the mat then I would try some on the run. Then build up from there. I would watch some youtube videos also.

Oh and good shoes. Don't try jumping from rail to rail in skateboarding shoes or flip flops or anything. I learned that the hard way.
And if you're going to be trying some flips, it's not a good idea to wear jeans.

Agreed totally, I would try some running shoes or some anti-pronation shoes, they are great because you have a more cushioned shoe for landings and it helps you not break your ankles if you land wrong. As for pants I would try maybe a sweatshirt and some semi tight/loose sweatpants (not too tight :O)

[NickTheSushi]

Shoo this is never gonna happen for me xD

[Vertzer]

Jesus Christ Radial, you need to be strong but not a loving tank. You don't really need to run that much. I'd say if you can run around your block 3 - 4 times you're good. No need to sprint, either.
As for the push ups, you're gonna need triceps, biceps don't help that much in parkour so if you can pull your self up on a bar like this:


Or a ledge like this:


(with considerable speed)
That's more than enough. If not, work on it.

[Radial543]

:P I didn't think he has a pull up bar in his house. Of course he could go to a gym..

[Vertzer]

Also;

[Bones4]

Lovely illustrations, there.

[Spation]

No expense spared in making them.

[Beachbum790]

I do parkour with some friends over the summer. It's easiest for me to do it since I'm the strongest of the 4 and I took gymnastics courses for about 6 years as to build flexibility and muscle. I took a class on parkour here, and the first thing we had to do was learn the ethics of how to do the moves. Not doing them, but watching a professional do it. Once we knew the over all jist of it we were to do it on a hand bar that was about shoulder level and learn to pull ourselves up. Then the bar was raised a notch every lesson (1.5 inches I think was the height of each notch) and eventually, we were our body height over. For some taller people like myself that's a scary thought. When doing those classes, I was 10 feet above the ground.

Once you have the techniques learned, then it's time to start small scale. Don't go to the centre of your city, go to the outskirts or to places that aren't crowded. Once you can do simple things. Go to your local park, and train there. The first part that you want to master is the landings!


As for home training, you should do push ups every day. Sit ups every day. About 25-50 each. Then you should briskly jog 2-4 times around your block. Do not stop or slow down. Briskly jog the whole time. The reason for not running is because people will take running as their sprint, and lose all their breath right away. As for breathing techniques, I have no clue how to build better breathing. It will come naturally as your endurance builds.


To get the proper shoes for parkour, you may want some with shock absorbing technology. Nothing like Basketball shoes or Skate shoes, but actual shoes meant for kung-fu or parkour it self. Anything with shock absorbing technology in the soles should do fine.


If you have any other questions, pm me or post it here. I should be able to answer it.


Also. STRETCH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE you need flexibility if you cant do gymnastics stretching is the next best thing.

[Radial543]

truedat^

[Diargon]

D: I have scolliosis and spine biphida colta and growth horomone difficiency and ADD and i wiegh like 68 pounds and im 13 and sit on my ass all day. SO HOW THE GOD DAMN HELL AM I 65 POUNDS!?!?!?

[Bones4]

cool story br0