Where would the session be?
A suitable location near central London. I live near Waterloo, so anywhere that is within distance for me on a bike (up to 10km is no problem!). Depending on where you are, we could find a suitable place locally — somewhere with a couple of walls, some steps, benches, or similar where people won’t mind us. We can be quite creative, sometimes one wheelchair access ramp with railings is all you need!
Is parkour for me?
Yes. If you can walk and are up for giving parkour a go, it is absolutely for you. Any body shape or body type, any experience and ability, any age or gender.
No, but really, I am not sporty at all…
Parkour is just about moving around with outdoor obstacles. It can be easy and simple: just as toddlers walk before they run, we would start with movements you are comfortable with. I have worked with people with mobility impairments and people who are middle-aged and haven’t exercised in years. What’s really going on here is your perception of what parkour is and mental discomfort because you don’t think you fit that — it is not the case that parkour is not suitable for you!
Parkour is sort-of like a mixture between yoga and dance, except that we are doing it with outdoor equipment. And we know that anyone can give those a go!
What would the session involve?
Well, there’s a huge amount of variety in parkour, and we would adapt to your ability and the environment… but to give some ideas:
- Vaulting, meaning getting over a wall or a bench or railing
- Jumping, whether that’s going up some steps, jumping between some walls, etc.
- Going up walls, whether with a wall run technique or some climbing
- Swinging on bars, if we can find them
- Techniques on the floor, such as rolls and cartwheels
It would include a mixture of learning techniques and practicing them as part of a sequence or route.
What should I wear?
Nothing special needed, just make sure you have weather appropriate clothing. Any trainers are fine — I can talk for a long time about footwear options, but the minimum requirement is just ‘something on your feet that isn’t slippy and is suitable for outdoors’. Tracksuit trousers, leggings or sweatpants are all fine, have a few layers on your top half and make sure you aren’t wearing something that restricts movement or might get torn (some coats). Make sure you’re wearing something you don’t mind getting muddy or grubby.
Any other questions — get in touch if so!