r/Parkour•
lethalbeef

The r/Parkour FAQ: What questions do you hear the most?

Hey fellas, it's been a week since we've declared to make this subreddit a better place, and it's time to get all of that started. I want to lay some groundwork before we start imposing any new guidelines and things like that, and this will also help me get a feel for the population of traceurs we have frequenting here, etc.

So! What we're going to do is create an FAQ which will go on the sidebar. This will inform the other text and links on the sidebar as well. Based on what you've heard from newbies while training, what your mom or grandma asks you about parkour, what you read on forums or on this subreddit, leave an individual top-level comment for EACH question you'd like to submit (not replies to other comments). Please check through what's already been submitted so we don't get repeats. In a few days I'll compile the questions. If you'd like, upvote the questions you really want to see in the FAQ, leave relevant links and things as replies to questions.

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing what you've got.

edit: Don't worry about providing an answer (unless you have a really good one)! Just need to see what kinds of questions people need answered. I am a pretty smart guy and I will ask these questions to all my smart friends and we will write words that will make you smart

Posted Jun 8, 2012, 3:31 PM UTC · edited

1441
tjiggs•

how can i start/what to do to start learning techniques and how to start/get into it

9
csreid•

I see this one here at least once a day.

3
tjiggs•

so it should go in the FAQ

5
csreid•

Yes. Mostly, I was commenting because I thought it was interesting that the top several comments were questions I see much less frequently, while your very frequently asked question was further down.

3
tjiggs•

and then i flew to the top XD thank you kind sir. ill share an upvote :P

1
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

How safe is parkour? Will I hurt myself?

7
Magres•

I'd say that any athletic activity carries risks. However, the risks of parkour are greatly mitigated if traceurs and traceuses make efforts to parkour in a safe manner.

Same story w/ weightlifting - real easy to blap your back if you lift like an idiot, pretty easy to stay safe if you do things properly

3
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

Let's not worry about providing an answer! Just help us compile a bunch of questions.

5
Magres•

Oh, my bad

2
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

What shoes are good for parkour?

A lightweight, flexible shoe with decent grip is good for beginners.
Examples:
WFPF's KO, new balance Minimus, Onitsuka Ultimate 81, fiveten freerunners, kalenji eikeden 50.

Thin sole shoes are only good if you practice good technique, otherwise they can lead to injury.
Examples:
Feiyues, Vibram KSO.

5
ZacharyCohn•

So I would like to propose we steer people toward Option #2 to force them to focus on good technique.

2
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

My intent was to just give an unbiased answer and inform people on the pros and cons, not make a decision for them.

3
TJtraceur•

Agree with Shoes being a thing, don't agree with your list.

1
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

So what would you change? I only put down a few examples off the top of my head but I'd like to hear what your opinion is too.

2
TJtraceur•

"Thin sole shoes are only good if you practice good technique, otherwise they can lead to injury." That's a silly way of looking at it.

I'd remove the woofpoof KO bricks. And mention barefoot. I'm not familiar with the minimus so no comment there. Others are ok examples.

1
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

How strong do I need to be before starting parkour?

All physical activities require a basic level of strength. If you can do a few push ups, pull ups, squats, and run for a couple of minutes, you should be able to start right away. Just practicing parkour will make you stronger.

5
1_0step back from the screen and do a pushup•

Why can't I stick that landing/precision? I keep falling forward/backward.

Force yourself to come into a squat as you land. Heels up, and ass-to-ankles. Knees out and legs loose.

5
TJtraceur•

PIKE!

0
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

I am worried about getting in trouble. Where can you train without getting arrested/how do I deal with people who yell at me for climbing and doing crazy stunts?

4
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

What kind of equipment do I need/what clothes should I wear?

4
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

How do I find people around me to train with?

4
tjiggs•

http://www.parkourgenerations.com/community

best list ive found thus far. just set your country on the right to filter

2
TJtraceur•

Similarly 'I want to start a Team/Klub/Krew/Gang/Posse because I have no idea that you can just train with whoever whenever'

0
Yomkimme•

Should I regularly condition to improve my parkour?

4
antonfireLos Angeles, CA•

And what sort of conditioning should I do?

2
TJtraceur•

Don't get the question often, but definitely needs to be outlined in the intro/FAQ

1
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

How do I start a parkour club at my university?

3
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

Is parkour dangerous?

3
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

Are flips considered parkour?

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
SecondSophistic•

Shoes.

Rolls.

How do I start?

I'm a little overweight/out of shape, what do?

What workout/exercises?

Clothes.

What are basics?

That's all I could think of off the top of my head.

Edit: Less frequent, but... Parkour v Freerunning. Differences, and why?

3
IlluminatrMinneapolis MN•

Two that I hear ALL the time:

How do I get good distance out of my kongs?

I know I can make or throw this (jump, lache, sideflip, wall spin) but how can I get myself to do it?!

3
t_F_OC, CA•

How do you do those things? haha

0
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

Where did parkour come from/who started it/what does it mean?

3
TJtraceur•

People don't bother asking, but NEEDS to be included imho.

1
NarwhalKiller•

Is Parkour illegal

how do I get over fears

Can I do Parkour while its raining

Can stds or any other health problems affect Parkour

Why do my balls hurt

Does Parkour make red spots appear on genitals

Is Parkour making my dick fall off

3
PrettyRelevant•

The first 3 were good, don't know where the heck you're going with the last 4.

1
ArcOfSpadesFLPK - Florida, US•

Where can I practice parkour?

If you are just starting, find a local park with a playground and just play. Most urban areas are private and if you are asked to leave, do so without confrontation.
You can also look up a nearby gymnastics gym and see if they offer parkour. Also check the APK forums and search Facebook for a local parkour group, they will be able to help you get started.

2
SammyJ98Alaska•

College campuses tend to be hotspots too

2
Dat_Karmavore•

Without confrontation? Easy for a good Traceur, if there are scalable walls nearby.

1
[deleted]•

What are some ways women can compensate for their weaker upperbody? I mean, are there techniques? I don't want a bigger upper body. What are women naturally better at?

2
lethalbeefOPSFParkour / USA•

Oh, this is a great one. Thanks!

2