Q: What’s parkour?
A: Parkour is an art of movement in which you train the body and mind to overcome obstacles.
Q: What should I expect at parkour class?
A: Expect a challenging, fun workout based around the natural movement of the human body. Our classes begin with a thorough warm-up. Next, we move on to the introduction and/or practice of fundamental techniques, as well as new skills and challenges. Finally, we end with a short workout, stretch, and discussion of key concepts in parkour.
Q: What do I wear?
A: Anything you feel comfortable moving in! Most people prefer to train in athletic wear such as sweats, leggings, gym shorts, t-shirts, hoodies, etc.
Q: What about shoes?
A: Shoes with grippy tread/rubber are best. You also want to look for a relatively flexible, light shoe. Most people prefer light padding, especially when learning new high-impact skills, but avoid shoes with excessive cushion. You need a good feel of the obstacle underneath you––ideally, you want to be able to curl your toes around the edges of rails and walls. We also recommend zero-drop, minimalist footwear because they promote stronger, healthier feet.
Q: What else should I bring?
A: Bring a water bottle and a post-workout snack if you’d like.
Q: I’m so sore the day after class, what should I do?
A: Even though we all did parkour as kids, you probably haven’t moved like this for years. Expect to be sore at first; it’s a completely normal feeling for someone new to parkour! To help relieve soreness, we suggest you do some light movement like walking, biking, stretching, etc. Yes, it might hurt, but it will help quicken the recovery process. Don’t give up, your body will adapt as time goes on.
Q: When backflips and roof gaps?
A: When you can do 20 muscle-ups in a row and deadlift at least 2.5x your bodyweight 🙂 But in all honesty, parkour isn’t about big jumps and flashy flips. We don’t promote going on rooftops or taking big drops. However, as you master the fundamentals and develop a strong foundation of fitness, we will progress to harder, bigger, and more exciting skills.