Parkour is an urban action sport that involves running, jumping, and vaulting over obstacles while adapting your movement to the environment.
The practice of parkour centres around the use of the individual's environment – it's incredibly accessible, requiring no additional equipment.
What’s considered 'pure parkour' involves a group of specialised techniques used to complete challenges. The original philosophy of parkour was to develop and become the best version of one's self. The term "Être fort pour être utile" (be strong to be useful) has been used since the early days of parkour to summarise its philosophy.
After arriving in the UK over twenty years ago, individuals draw on influences from outside of the sport to develop their own style and approach to training.
While Parkour is primarily trained in an urban environment, there are specialised gyms and classes that cater to parkour athletes and participants of all ages.
Parkour is a sport that has grown alongside the internet, which means there are lots of resources available online that documents the history of parkour & it's progression over the years.
It can be challenging to know where to start, but we recommend the video "What is Parkour?" by Lorena Abreu.
Parkour is for everyone. The sport is incredibly inclusive and it's community welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures.
If you want to get started, we suggest reaching out to your nearest parkour gym. Parkour gyms cater to a diverse crowd of practitioners and often provide specialised classes for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
During training sessions, practitioners find enjoyment in solving movement challenges and exploring various ways to overcome obstacles. Parkour can be done anywhere, and will encourage you to look at your space and environment differently.
Unlike other sports, parkour doesn’t impose a specific set of movements or strict rules. Practitioners are free to move creatively and express themselves in their own unique ways.
Although it may appear that practitioners spontaneously string together different jumps and vaults as they navigate an environment, parkour lines are typically carefully planned. Each line is broken down into individual movements, which practitioners then combine and execute in a single flow.
While parkour can be practiced in any environment, urban settings are often the most suitable. A good parkour spot offers a variety of challenges and movement opportunities, with some spots becoming well-known and recognised by practitioners around the world.
Parkour emphasises the ability to adapt and respond to diverse environments. As with other urban sports, the setting shapes how training evolves.
Communities around the world approach parkour in various ways, influenced by the unique features or limitations of their surroundings. This adaptability fosters resourcefulness, flexibility, and the development of skills tailored to the specific environment in which training takes place.
Parkour demands precise and confident control of the body during movement. Developing control is fundamental to mastering the sport. This control not only improves performance but also minimises the risk of injury and builds confidence in your physical abilities.
Parkour challenges the mind as much as the body, cultivating resilience, focus, and problem-solving skills. Each obstacle or spot presents a distinct puzzle, requiring both physical and mental engagement.
A critical aspect of this process is risk evaluation: understanding the potential dangers of a challenge and taking steps to ensure safety while committing to the challenge. This balance of calculation and courage is central to the discipline.
Parkour is more than just a sport—it’s a philosophy of movement, adaptability, and self-improvement.
Whether you’re drawn to the physical challenge, the creative freedom, or the supportive community, there’s something in parkour for everyone.
If you’re curious, the best way to understand it is to give it a try. Find a local parkour gym, join a community session, or simply step outside and start exploring your environment in a new way. The world is your playground!
