Do you want to learn how to make parkour moves but don’t have access to a gym or outdoor space? Or maybe you’re just looking for a new indoor activity to get you moving and improve your agility. If so, learning how to do parkour in your house is a great option!
Parkour is a form of physical activity involving moving your body creatively and efficiently to overcome obstacles. It can be traced back to the early 1900s but gained popularity in the 2000s thanks to movies like Casino Royale and District 13.
While easy parkour tricks are often associated with urban environments, you can do it anywhere – including in your home! This guide will show you how to do parkour in your house, with tips on everything from setting up your space to learning the basics.
What Equipment You Need When Doing Parkour at Home
One of the great things about easy parkour moves is that you don’t need any special equipment to start. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and some clothes that won’t restrict your movement.
That said, a few pieces of equipment can make learning parkour at home more accessible and fun. Here are a few things you might want to consider picking up:
Crash Mat
It will help cushion your landings when starting. Look for a rug at least 2 inches thick and made from firm foam.
Parkour Gloves
These gloves have padded fingers and palms to help protect your hands during jumps and climbs. They also improve your grip, which can be helpful when first starting.
Foam Roller
This is an excellent tool for stretching and massaging your muscles after a workout. It can also help prevent injuries.
Parkour Handbook
There are a few great books out there that can help you learn the basics of parkour. We recommend “Parkour Strength Training” or “The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook” by Ryan Ford and Dan Edwardes.
How to Do Parkour in Your House
Now that you know what you need, it’s time to learn how to do parkour inside your house! Here are a few tips to get you started:
Choose an Open Space
Parkour is all about creative movement, so you’ll want to choose a space in your house where you can move around freely. A large living room or basement is usually a good option. Just clear away any furniture or obstacles that might get in your way.
An ideal space for learning parkour at home would be:
- Safely away from any furniture or breakable items
- With various surfaces to practice on (carpet, hardwood floors, tile, etc.)
- Open enough that you can move around freely without worrying about hitting anything
Warm-up
Parkour is a physical activity, so it’s essential to warm up before you start. A simple 10-minute jog or jump rope routine will do the trick.
Start With the Basics
Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew when first learning parkour stuff. Start with the basics, such as jumps, rolls, and climbs. Once you’ve got those down, you can move on to more advanced techniques.
- Jumping: One of the most fundamental parkour moves, jumping can help you overcome obstacles and get to higher places. You can practice different jumps, like tuck jumps, split jumps, and parkour rolls.
- Vaulting: This move helps you clear low obstacles quickly and efficiently. There are many different types of vaults, so experiment to find the ones that work best for you and your space.
- Climbing: Climbing is a great way to build upper body strength and improve your agility. Start with basic climbs like the monkey bars or pull-ups, then move on to more advanced techniques like flagging and campus boarding.
- Balancing: Balancing exercises help improve your coordination and focus. You can practice balance by walking on a beam, standing on one leg, or doing a handstand.
- Running: It is a great way to build endurance and increase speed. You can practice sprints, intervals, and even distance running in your house.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The only way to get better at parkour is to practice regularly. Set aside time to work on your skills. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
Stay Safe
Parkour can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Always warm up before attempting new moves and start slowly before working your way up to more complicated techniques. If you’re ever unsure about something, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and not do it.
How to Make a Parkour Course in Your House
Now that you know the basics of parkour, it’s time to put your skills to the test by creating your parkour course in your house! Here are a few tips to get you started:
Choose an Open Space
One of the great things about parkour is that you can do it anywhere. That said, it’s helpful to have a dedicated space for practicing. This will make it easier to focus on your training and minimize the risk of accidentally damaging your furniture or walls!
When setting up your space, look for a room with plenty of open space and few obstacles. A carpeted floor will cushion your landings better than a hardwood one, but either will work. You might also want to clear away any breakable items from the area.
If you don’t have an empty room available, you can still do parkour in your house by getting creative with the furniture and obstacles around you. A coffee table can be used for vaulting, and a chair can become a balance beam, and so on. Be creative and have fun with it!
Get Creative
There are no rules for creating your parkour course, so let your imagination run wild! You can use household items like chairs, tables, and even stairs to create obstacles to overcome.
Some things you might want to include in your course are:
- Jumps
- Climbs
- Balances
- Vaults
- Runs
Make It Challenging
One of the best things about parkour is that it’s always challenging, no matter your level. As you create your course, include various elements that will challenge and help you improve your skills.
Be Safe
There is always a risk of injury when doing parkour. Practice safety first and foremost. Always warm up before attempting new moves and start slowly. If you’re unsure about something, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Have Fun!
The most important thing is to have fun with parkour! There’s no right way to do parkour, so experiment and find what works best. There’s no better feeling than overcoming an obstacle and conquering your course. Parkour is all about having fun and pushing yourself to your limits.
At What Age Should You Start Parkour?
There’s not an age that’s “right” to start practicing, as everyone develops at different rates and will have different levels of experience, fitness, and ability. That said, parkour is generally considered an activity for people aged 12 and up.
Of course, younger children are capable of learning and practicing some basic parkour movements. Still, the more complex and dangerous stunts or advanced parkour moves are best left to those who are a bit older and more physically capable.
Is It Illegal to Do Parkour in Public?
No, parkour is not illegal. In fact, many public spaces are designed explicitly for parkour and other free-running activities. However, it is crucial to be aware of your surroundings and get permission from private property owners before using it for parkour training.
If you’re looking for a place to do parkour in public, here are a few options:
Local Parks
Many parks have open areas perfect for parkour training. Be sure to check with the local authorities to find out if there are any specific regulations or restrictions before using the park for parkour.
Abandoned Buildings
While trespassing is technically illegal, abandoned buildings can provide an excellent training ground for parkour. Be sure to check for any signs of life before entering an abandoned building, and never enter a building that looks like it could collapse at any moment.
Roofs
The rooftops of tall buildings can be great places to train, but be sure to get permission from the building’s owner before using their property.
Public Stairs
Staircases are another common place to find parkour training spots. Again, get permission from the property owner before using their stairs for parkour.
Conclusion
With some creativity and a basic understanding of parkour principles, you can quickly turn your house into your training ground. Parkour is a great way to stay fit and active, and practicing at home saves time and money that would otherwise be spent on gym memberships or travel to parks or other public spaces. With a bit of imagination, anything can be turned into an obstacle to overcome- so get creative and start exploring your world in new ways!