In this article we take a look at a few reasons why training Parkour could the perfect option for building all round fitness. We also take a look at the benefits that training in a class or group with friends can have to our wellbeing and mindset.

The most evident reason that Parkour can be a great exercise for building all-round fitness, is that the movements in the discipline helps improve a variety of traditional training fundamentals. For example, the aspect of Parkour of moving from A to B naturally usually involves running over a fair distance. This leads to you collecting a substantial step count per training session. In this way Parkour can be used as a tool to help build your cardio-vascular fitness.

On the other hand, Parkour can also be a great way to improve your strength and build muscle. Aspects of training Parkour such as vaulting over obstacles and pulling your body weight upwards to reach a new destination, inadvertently uses many of the same muscles as doing traditional body weight exercises. For example, it is widely acknowledged in the Parkour community that Calisthenics exercises such as pull ups and push ups can improve your ability in Parkour and vice versa.

Furthermore, training Parkour is also likely to improve your co-ordination and balance. For example, through practicing jumping from one obstacle to the next. Additionally, the positive impact that Parkour can have to your wellbeing is enhanced by the social aspect that comes from practicing the discipline in a group or by attending a class. Surrounding yourself with other people that have similar interests to yourself, all supporting each other to achieve your goals, is a great way to relieve stress and be sociable. Furthermore, by attending a class at one of our indoor Parkour gyms you also benefit from having a qualified trainer help and encourage you to reach your goals. In this way the reduced time in which you can pick up new skills can also be a great boost to your confidence.

Parkour is a fluid discipline that differs substantially depending on how an individual chooses to approach their training. One week you could choose to do more running, whereas another week you could choose to focus on building strength by doing more vaulting. In this way, adapting your Parkour training is a great way to achieve specific fitness goals as well, depending on how you choose to focus your approach. The examples mentioned in this weeks, article are by no means a comprehensive list of all of the ways that Parkour can improve your all-round fitness. But hopefully has provided some useful examples that demonstrate the numerous benefits that training the fluid discipline of Parkour can have to your overall health and wellbeing.

It can be easy for someone who is new to understanding the Free Running and Parkour Movement to overlook the practice to be just vaulting over obstacles or doing flips. However, over time it becomes evident to anyone who has trained Parkour that dedicating oneself to progressing in the discipline brings skills and benefits far beyond just this. Indeed, training Parkour and Free Running provides an amazing foundation of skills that can help you achieve good wellbeing regardless of your age and current ability. For example, skills such as coordination, balance, self-respect and confidence all come as a by-product of training Parkour in a safe environment and guided by an experienced coach.

However often finding safe places to train can be difficult to find, particularly in colder climates across the world in the winter months. Safe places to train and safe education on the best practices is essential to anyone looking to progress in Parkour and especially to beginners who are starting out. Therefore, communities and federations such as the WFPF academy become critical to the safe growth and expansion of the Parkour/Free Running movement as they provide worldwide infrastructure for a sport that continues to grow.

Since the formation of WFPF in 2007:

“WFPF is dedicated to the safe and responsible advancement of the parkour/freerunning discipline throughout the world, providing leadership, products and services that keep barriers to entry low and grass roots enthusiasm high. Together with our athlete partners, we strive to faithfully bring this philosophy of movement to the growing numbers of young people who believe that through camaraderie, self-expression and service to others, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.”

To help achieve this the WFPF Certification Program was carefully developed to encourage the creative, grass roots nature of parkour, while also establishing safe practices and a common vocabulary of movement for progressive instruction to students of all ages. As of 2019, WFPF has certified approximately 900 instructors around the Globe. The WFPF Certification Program, the only parkour certification developed in partnership with a major insurance underwriter, is the gold standard for the safe and practical instruction of parkour.

Furthermore, the WFPF also offers the opportunity for gyms to become a ‘A WFPF Parkour Academy Gym’. Providing, these gyms with:

• 8-Level Parkour curriculum, including our trademarked Parkidz and Ninjas
• Children’s Program, for students age 4 and up
• NO UPPER AGE RESTRICTIONS!
• Monthly curriculum and marketing updates for all programs
• Exclusive eligibility to host WFPF Sanctioned competitions
• Ongoing equipment consultation to fit your growing program
• Right to use WFPF and Parkidz and Ninjas branding in all promotional and business materials
• Regular Exposure on WFPF and USA Parkour social media platforms

Furthermore, WFPF Academy Gyms also Receive Discounts on:

• WFPF Instructor Certifications

• Preferred prices on WFPF and KO Parkour Shoes and Apparel

To find more extensive information on these services and relevant contact details please use the links below:

1) Where is my closest ‘WFPF Parkour Academy Gym’?:
https://gym.wfpfparkouracademy.com/locations/

2) More information on becoming an Academy Gym:
https://wfpfparkouracademy.com/become-an-academy-gym/

3) More information on WFPF Certification Program:
https://wfpf.com/parkour-certifications/

In this article we look at some of the most creative and unique cross-referencing of Parkour and Free Running with other movement related disciplines.

• Freestyle Football and Free Running/Parkour –

In this video pro Free Runner Mike Wilson combines soccer/football tricks with beautiful acrobatic flips and calisthenic bar work, showcasing an incredible display of movement and creativity. A video like this would do well for a World Cup Advert campaign we reckon…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUYTfndyYeo

• Skateboarding and Parkour

San Francisco provides a beautiful setting for this incredible expression of movement incorporating two of the most popular urban sports in the modern day. The creativity of filming in this piece is a masterpiece, 2.2 million views for a reason…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIkWDLHOD9w

• Capoeira and Free Running

Throwing it back to 2011 with this one… Fabio Santos combines the worlds of Capoeira and Free Running together showcasing a spectacle of unique movement and even throws in a bit of diving in this epic showreel too…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgcVQmtyEqw

If you have your own favourite examples of mixing Parkour/ Free Running with other disciplines that we haven’t covered here, then feel free to add them to the comments below to share with this community we’re building…