I have always dreamed of doing parkour ever since I saw videos from David Belle on youtube. It is hard to describe the feelings when I see him effortlessly overcoming any obstacle in his way - a mixture of awe, envy and the burning desire to be at least as half as good as him at some point in my life.

Unfortunately, I haven't even started my journey yet

I honestly have no clue where or how to begin - training to strengthen the joints/knees? Focusing on how to roll/fall? Or directly imitating the various (jumping)techniques in areas with little danger?

Any other traceurs on tl.net? How did you guys start and how did you overcome your initial fear of falling/injuring yourself?

Boblion

France8043 Posts

November 17 2009 20:22 GMT

Go to a gym with mats first.
Starting in the street isn't the best idea.

Hot_Bid

Braavos36372 Posts

November 17 2009 20:22 GMT

kvilx

Poland198 Posts

November 17 2009 20:28 GMT

On November 18 2009 05:22 Boblion wrote:
Go to a gym with mats first.
Starting in the street isn't the best idea.

This. Otherwise, you will be like:

+ Show Spoiler +

CrimsonLotus

Colombia1123 Posts

November 17 2009 20:30 GMT

Get some really good health insurance?

Catch]22

Sweden2683 Posts

November 17 2009 20:35 GMT

Hahaha Hot_Bid.

Tonyy

United States86 Posts

November 17 2009 20:36 GMT

www.americanparkour.com

http://www.americanparkour.com/content/view/3972 << After you click on to get started

BrTarolg

United Kingdom3574 Posts

November 17 2009 20:45 GMT

When i started about 4 years ago, i went on the foramz, saw there was a big "jam" in london with about 120 people going and i went.

Then i went again the next week

And the next week

And then i did that for about 3 years.

Now i train occasionally with some people in southampton

Husky

United States3362 Posts

November 17 2009 20:54 GMT

Start off by finding two buildings and jumping from the top of one to another.

Seriously though just start off super small. Going to a gym with mats and finding people who are also learning is probably the best. There is lots of low risk things you can do without training though.

eshlow

United States5210 Posts

November 17 2009 21:03 GMT

#10

Only ground level training. Training in a gym is a good idea... don't go big.

As stated, american parkour has good tutorials so hit them up.

If you go on the forum you may be able to find someone in your area.

Equaoh

Canada427 Posts

November 17 2009 21:31 GMT

#11

Just start messing around at a school or somewhere with lots of rails and some different sized platforms in the evening. Then when the cops show, the real parkour begins.

BrTarolg

United Kingdom3574 Posts

November 17 2009 21:39 GMT

#12

Make sure you find people you can train with all the time outdoors.

Gym is more supplemental than anything else

I would say you see the people who are best at parkour are usually the people who have trained in such a way that they make themselves good at all things physical as a result

My mate bobby fundamentally is a parkour person, but from his training it has made him amazing at bouldering, gymnastics, running, cycling, general fitness etc.
It's not really about being able to do this vault, this move or drilling one particular movement - having confidence in your body will lead to you being able to control yourself in all environments that require similar physical stress.

In bouldering it is no surprise that many freerunning/parkour practicioners almost seem to have a "natural talent" when they start bouldering - it is because they are very aware of their bodies and how to push it in the right ways which regular people seem unable to do

thopol

Japan4560 Posts

November 17 2009 22:54 GMT

#13

On November 18 2009 05:22 Boblion wrote:
Go to a gym with mats first.
Starting in the street isn't the best idea.

This is good for doing tricks and such, but it is not good advice for an aspiring traceur. You just need to get out and do it. Look online for jams in your area and go have a look. Most traceurs I have met have been extremely helpful and friendly.

I would say that the first things to work on are jumping, vaulting, and climbing. For jumping you need to build a great deal of control and balance. I used benches with armrests at each end, which you can find in pretty much any urban area. You jump from one armrest to the other, turn and go back.
For vaulting you just need a bunch of rails. Find a handicapped entrance to a building. One with a ramp with a switchback in the middle offers enough rails in a small area to start chaining vaults together, which is pretty sweet. I would recommend trying a couple of simple vaults first and moving on to more challenging ones for beginners (like konging shit).
For climbing, you really need to look around. If you can find two parallel walls next to one another you can chimney up. If you can find brick walls with old mortar you can work on climbing with your fingers. You need to assess your environment and try things that you are comfortable with.

I would also suggest doing exercises to build strength, like trying to muscle up a bar or going for long runs.

Parkour can be very rewarding and it is surrounded by a great community. Good luck.

synapse

China13814 Posts

November 17 2009 23:29 GMT

#14

jump in place (like ass touching back of feet -> as high as possible) like 200 times a day and you will become a ninja

Mooga

United States575 Posts

November 18 2009 02:23 GMT

#15

Most big colleges probably have a parkour club so join them if you're in college. If you're not, then yeah just go outside and mess around. Don't try free running tricks outside though, most people have to start in a gymnastics room with tramps and maps so they don't try a backflip and land on their neck.

tarpman

Canada718 Posts

November 18 2009 06:11 GMT

#16

very important to find people to do it with, for guidance and safety. if you go to school there's a decent chance it has a parkour club, so look them up.

other important things are fitness and flexibility. core strength is huge, so do lots of crunches, pullups, and similar. find someone who can teach you how to roll (and fall) properly; don't try figuring it out on your own because it's easy to get in a habit of doing it slightly wrong which is NOT a good thing.

I've always been very attached to the ground and I have a really hard time doing vaults and such, but practicing parkour has been great in helping me address that a bit. best advice I can give you is to start small, practice lots, and challenge yourself while doing things as safely as you can.

good luck and have fun!