PRINTChecklist for parkour beginners
June 17, 2009 | 12:00 p.m. CST
1. Understand the philosophy
Parkour is as much a test of strength and fitness endurance as it is a mental outlook.
2. Decide if it is for you
While Zabel says that parkour is for everyone and Damros says he has seen “a 200-pound man do a back flip,” both admit that it “helps to be in physical shape.” Might we also suggest you resolve any lingering issues with heights?
3. Correctly judge your physical fitness
If you are a former high school gymnast, run regularly and are generally active, then you’re probably a good parkour candidate. If your idea of exercise is a round of tennis on Wii, then you might want to rethink the idea.
4. Find a local group/trainer
We did that part for you. Dambros and his crew are willing to train and mentor beginners. The group meets every other Sunday at the St. Louis Gymnastics Center in Webster Groves and charges $30 per two-hour session.
5. Practice
You are NOT Spider-man, your life is NOT a movie, and you WILL die if you attempt to jump between balconies of your fifth story apartment right after reading this. Calm down MacGyver, and start out lower to the ground.
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