Parkour Progress

For my friends who may occasionally check in here to see what I am up too I wanted to post a quick update on my progress with parkour. It has been around six or seven months since I started getting into shape and training the various basics of the parkour discipline (for more information on parkour). Over that time I have gone out training at least once a week including during these winter months. Additionally I go to the gym for cardio workouts. I have also occasionally attended gym training sessions at a gymnastics gym in Cambridge.

My overall confidence has improved greatly and I am now able to execute the fundamentals with an average level of skill. Confidence is something that I grew through success and by taking only small leaps forward. The tenets of parkour dictate that safety is first and with that in mind it is easy to be a traceur no matter what your current level of athleticism or your weight. Just as muscle grows with use so to does confidence.

Physically I am much stronger than last summer due to my training regime. When I first started my friend had me attempt to do a wall climb and then pull myself up onto the roof. I was able to do the wall run and grasp the ledge but I could not lift my weight over onto the roof. Today I am able to climb up both with and without using my feet although it is not pretty to watch yet. I am going to be going in for another fitness test at my gym in the next few weeks to measure my progress. Initially I had about 28-29% body fat, two months later it was 25% and I am curious what the figure is going to be now three and a half months later.

As soon as I am able I will post pictures and video of myself to give you an idea of what parkour is and why I would put so much effort into it. For now I’ll just say that none of the minor injuries have slowed me down and I foresee myself continuing as a traceur as long as I am physically able. Good night and good luck.