In a sense, parkour is the art of using your environment as an obstacle course. In fact, it began as a training discipline from military training but has since evolved into its own sport -- with its own culture. The goal of parkour is to move from Point A to Point B using the quickest and most efficient route possible. The most advanced parkour athletes today have trained since childhood or early youth and did it regularly for several years. Excelling at the sport will depend on your mind, body, and spirit. Read on to discover what it takes to become good at parkour.
1. Get in shape.
Parkour relies on endurance. As such, you need to work on basic calisthenics such as squats, sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups. These are the foundation for practicing parkour. According to experts, you need to be able to perform 50 full squats, 5 pull ups, and 25 push-ups before you officially get started with parkour.
2. Practice landing and rolling moves.
Parkour involves plenty of vertical movement, particularly high jumps that require the ability to fall safely or land properly before ending with a move. Start small, preferably with a jump between 1/2 to 1 meter, landing on the front side of your feet. Perform a forward roll if you jumped from a higher distance. Remember to roll on your shoulders when landing (rather than on your back), or else you risk seriously injuring yourself.
3. Practice jumping, vaulting and climbing maneuvers.
These maneuvers are more advanced and are designed to help you move up and around the urban landscape. As you progress, you will soon develop your own moves and learn how to use them efficiently.
4. Practice regularly.
Like with any other sport, regular training is important for parkour to become effective. Practice 2 or 3 times a week, ensuring that you maintain your basic skills as you advance to more difficult maneuvers.
5. Use self-exploration.
The only way to develop your own personal style in parkour is self-exploration. Start drilling the techniques you have acquired and then find new ways to move through experimentation. Look for new routes and environments to practice in, using your inner self to establish what works best for you.
6. Pick a point and find the most efficient way to get there.
Begin with slow, safe paces. Repeat over and over until you master the new territory, gradually increasing your pace and endurance. This process can take hours, days, or even years depending on your natural ability, the path you choose, and a number of other factors. As long as you don't quit, no matter how small your progress is, you'll be alright. This is the essence of parkour.
