What is parkour?
Parkour is the physical discipline of using one’s body to navigate over, under, around, or through any structure or barrier in one’s path using movements such as vaults, wall runs, climbups, bar swings, and other methods. It consists of using one’s environment like an obstacle course, getting from one point to another as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What is freerunning?
Freerunning uses the fundamental movements and elements of parkour while focusing more on an artistic approach to movement using flips, tricks, and style. One would use their environment more like a playground where there is no destination, just a canvas to explore the different ways that your body can move.
Isn’t this dangerous?
Any sport or activity that requires athletic abilities can be dangerous, but parkour is all about longevity and keeping your body fit and healthy by learning how to connect one’s coordination, balance, agility, strength, power, flexibility, and control over all of their movements. You learn how to fall properly, roll, and safely bail out of injury prone movements that could sometimes happen in everyday life. Improving upon ones attributes through parkour will also help with so many other sports and activities. As long as the individual stays within their own safe and progressive pace, parkour can be much safer than most other sports.
Why isn’t there more padding on the structures?
Learning all of your movements on strictly soft padding causes you to be a bit more reckless in your progressions, and not focus on the correct ways to level up safely. When taking the movements that you’ve learned in a fully padded gym to the hard surfaces of the outdoor world, you will encounter many mental blocks that will prevent you from achieving those same movements. By learning the movements on wooden structures at a progressive safe pace (with the assistance of carpeted flooring, moveable mats, and dedicated instructors) one can take their movements out of the gym in a much more confident and progressive manner.
What kind of shoes should I wear?
Make sure you wear TIGHT LACED sneakers, NO SANDALS or CROCS! The best types of shoes to wear are any shoes that have relatively flat based bottoms with good rubber soles. The bigger the treads are, the more likely they are to catch on structure edges and trip you up. There is also more negative space in between the treads that has no use in this type of environment. Good rubber will help you grip to all types of surfaces, whereas foam based bottoms will likely slip on everything. We do sell designated parkour shoes here at the gym for you to check out, try on, and purchase.
Is there chalk available to use at the gym?
Please bring your own chalk if you need it to dry your hands during open gyms. PLEASE do not make a mess of the chalk around the gym. Keep it contained and do not clap it into the air.
Why are there less sessions for juniors?
The 7-8 year old juniors are generally less attentive during the more technical lessons. We like to mix it up with the junior classes and include some ninja courses, basic parkour movements, and games in one class with a more fun based structuring. The 9+ year old range is broken up into separate classes where individual skills are repetitively drilled and rely on more focus and commitment to the movements.
Can my younger child (7-8 yo) join his/her older sibling in the ‘Kid’ classes (9+)?
It is ok if an older participant wants to join in with the younger participants in our younger junior sessions, but not ok for a younger age to join into an older class range or open gym. In the 7-8 year old sessions there are separate rules and some sections that are off limits. Also in the older sessions there are much larger adults and teenagers training in the gym and it becomes much more dangerous for smaller children with larger weight differences.
Can a 5-6 year old participate in anything at the gym?
While our minimum age for any regular sessions at the gym is a very strict 7 years old, we have just started offering private classes again, and now you may have your 5 or 6 year old join one of those. They may not take a private class with any other sibling or friend since we will need to stay with them at all times and spot them more carefully with their height difference to the structures and obstacles. See our private class info on the EVENTS page toward the bottom.
Does a parent have to stay at the gym?
If the participant is under 9, the parent will need to stay present during the session. For anyone 9 to 17, it is not mandatory for the parent to stay but always recommended. Plus, if you watch your child during their session, chances are you're going to want to try it yourself!
If I am completely out of shape, is it pointless for me to try this type of training?
Absolutely not! The entire premise of this gym is to get fit through movement at your own pace and fitness level while having tons of fun. Our classes are based on beginner level and variable on an individual fitness level basis. You will be able to lose weight, get fit, increase strength and confidence in your movements just by learning to play again!
If I am new to this type of training, how will I know what to do if I just come in for an open gym?
We always have at least 1 or 2 instructors monitoring the gym during open gyms and giving helpful advice, tips, ideas, and other safety practices. Anyone new to the gym will be given a small orientation to the safety rules and regulations of the facility. And of course, we’re usually around to show you a few advanced moves to strive for and a few of the different progressions to get you started! But obviously, if you are brand new to this training we would highly recommend taking some classes to really keep you safe in your new journey toward fun fitness.
Do you sell Gift Cards?
Come on into the gym and purchase that perfect gift for anyone to come in and enjoy fitness through movement. Put any amount onto our custom gift cards with holders and envelopes (minimum of $25). They are also available to order online through our EVENTS page towards the bottom.
Are there lockers?
We have lockers in the gym for any valuables. Just bring your own combo lock with you and use them at your convenience. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items that are left sitting around.
Why can't I reach anyone on the phone?
Without a permanent desk person, it is hard to get to calls, and there are many calls a day just trying to find out information that can usually be found here on our website. Please be sure to check our Frequently Asked Questions page and read carefully through the Prices and Schedule page to see if your questions can be answered first. If you still have questions please send us an email and we will try to get back to you promptly. Thank you.
Can I use my passes for other people? What is the best way to sign in multiple participants?
Yes, you may use any of our pricing options and packs (except monthly open gym memberships) to sign up for others. Just see our online signups section of the website, and note the number 7 step on there that describes how to sign up for others. Just be sure to follow the steps carefully.
Can I bring a large group to an open gym as a party situation?
Please do not bring more than 7 as a group to open gyms to allow enough spots for other individuals and members. We have party slots on weekends that can be reserved for those larger groups so please check out our parties page for that information.