Parkour: The Ultimate Life Hack

Just because modern technology enables us to get food from the fridge rather than hunting it down or farming, doesn’t mean we should ignore our body’s ability to move.

Lifestyle VS Hobby

Movement is something we all do. Parkour is movement. So theoretically everyone does it, but not everyone understands the art of movement. Le Parkour is a french translation of “The Art Of Movement”. Thus, parkour is for everyone. Some view it only as a hobby, however many view it as a lifestyle. Sadly, there are some obstacles keeping parkour from being accessible to all.

Parkour is for everyone, however its inaccessible to many.

I’ve heard some people’s inquires into how to begin to practice parkour. Many parkour practitioners have responded with something along the lines of “just start moving” or “go to a park” or “look up some videos”. If you’re lucky there will be a community. If you’re even luckier, there will be a gym to learn at.

Not everyone is lucky enough to be close to a community or gym. I’ve heard of plenty people from the country wanting to get started, but the nearest community or gym is hours away. This is where videos come in. Sadly, learning from videos can still be rather unsafe if common sense and critical thinking doesn’t take place.

Here’s a list of known Parkour Gyms in the US & Internationally, collected by Ben Musholt

When you don’t live near a community, a gym, or have a way to make your own obstacles.

Issue #1: Finding Qualified Instructors & Safe Places To Train

While any place can be arguably made into a training spot, teaching yourself isn’t always the way to go. I know of plenty who are almost entirely self taught with minimal to no injuries, but I know plenty more who stopped there or got injured along the way.

Let’s prevent kids from doing this and send them to a designated park or gym shall we?

Learning from other people in the community can be hit or miss. Sometimes you get lucky and find a mindful training partner, sometimes you’re unlucky and find thrill seekers using parkour for an adrenaline rush.

When I bring up parkour, people often think of this… I understand most people are just trying to relate but it contributes to an incorrect, unsafe, and patronizing stigma of parkour.

Also, it can be discouraging to go to a gym to find out your instructor is barely qualified or doesn’t know how to adapt to your individual needs. Sometimes gym coaches are kids. Sometimes they’re adults. Thankfully there are plenty of gyms with qualified, dedicated and passionate coaches, but you may not always live nearby.

Issue #2: Debunking Myths About Parkour

A simple lack of understanding keeps many from even considering parkour for themselves. I’m not athletic, too old, too fat – you can become athletic, you’re never too old, and you’re never too fat. In all of these situations, you still have to physically move in your life.

You got to get that remote somehow…

If you’re physically disabled, you might not think that parkour is for you when it actually is great for you. Houston Press journalist Aaron Reiss talks about how parkour can be adapted for the physically disabled. Also, see the video below to see how James Blake Gallion practices parkour, despite having cerebral palsy.

As you get older, falling becomes more dangerous. Parkour doesn’t prevent falling, but parkour teaches you how to fall safely. Parkour has already been adapted for the elderly, see Matthew Jenkin’s article in The Guardian.