We’ve all seen YouTube videos of nimble people free running (also known as Parkour) – leaping from building to building with acrobatic ease.
Cool as it looks, jumping around on a derelict skyscraper is certainly not for the faint hearted! I’m not encouraging complete beginners to seek out their nearest multi-storey carpark and take a leap of faith (in fact, please don’t do that!).
But, as with most extreme sports, there are ways to tone it down for complete beginners. Or take adventure to the max!
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Free running is a kind of urban acrobatics. Basic skills include jumping, vaulting, rolling, spinning, flipping and climbing, which you can learn and practice without being on a rooftop.
So, how about dipping your toe in the water with a gymnastics lesson at your local gym? You’ll be able to learn all of the basic skills to apply outside later on.
A little more Free Running…
Have you mastered your jumps and rolls but aren’t quite ready for cold hard concrete? Check out a trampoline park for a little more bounce!
Trampoline parks are really popular now, so there’s likely to be one in your nearest big city. They are essentially warehouses full of huge trampolines. Great fun for all ages and ability levels.
Maximum Free Running adventure!
If you’re ready to give free running a proper go, you can look for a professional free runner and arrange a coaching session. In the UK, you can find professional coaches at Parkour UK. If you’re living elsewhere, check out the World Freerunning Parkour Federation instead.
Good luck, and I expect to see your awesome free running videos on YouTube soon!
Free Running not for you?
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