Parkour, also known as freerunning, is a physical discipline that involves training to overcome obstacles in an efficient and fluid manner. It is a form of training that combines elements of gymnastics, martial arts, and acrobatics. While parkour may seem like just a fun and challenging way to stay active, it has many benefits that go beyond physical fitness.
Let’s find out how useful Parkour is!
What is the point of doing parkour?
Parkour is a physical discipline that involves training to overcome obstacles in an efficient and fluid manner. It can be used for fitness, recreation, and as a performance art. Parkour can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and overall cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, practicing parkour can help develop discipline, focus, and problem-solving skills. It can also be a fun and challenging way to stay active and push oneself physically and mentally. However, it is important to note that parkour can be dangerous if proper training and safety precautions are not taken.
Benefits of parkour
Another benefit of parkour is that it can be done by people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, parkour provides a fun and challenging way to push yourself. Additionally, parkour can be done both indoors and outdoors, making it a versatile form of exercise that can be done in any weather.
Moreover, parkour has a lot of mental health benefits that are often overlooked. It can help in the development of self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-discipline. Additionally, parkour can be a great stress reliever and can help in the management of anxiety and depression.
Additionally, parkour is also a great way to connect with others and make new friends. Many parkour communities exist worldwide, and they provide a supportive environment where people can come together to train and share their experiences.
Is parkour a good workout?
One of the most obvious benefits of parkour is the physical fitness it provides. Practicing parkour can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and overall cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, parkour training can help to develop discipline, focus, and problem-solving skills. These benefits make parkour an excellent way to stay active and push oneself physically and mentally.
How does parkour build strength?
Parkour builds strength in several ways. One of the primary ways it does so is through the use of bodyweight exercises. Many parkour movements, such as vaulting, climbing, and jumping, rely on the strength of the individual’s own body to execute. These movements typically involve using multiple muscle groups, including the arms, legs, core, and back, which helps to build overall strength and muscle tone.
Additionally, parkour often requires repetitive movements, such as running, jumping and climbing, which can lead to muscle hypertrophy (increase in muscle size), endurance and power. Also, parkour training typically involves practicing movements at different intensities and resistance levels, which helps to build strength and endurance in the muscles.
Parkour also involves movements that require balance and control, such as walking on narrow ledges or rails, this helps to build strength in the stabilizer muscles which are important for maintaining balance and preventing injuries.
Finally, parkour training can also include strength training exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, and squats, which can help to build strength in specific muscle groups.
Is parkour good for cardio?
Yes, parkour can be a great form of cardio. Many of the movements involved in parkour, such as running, jumping, and climbing, are high-intensity and can provide a cardiovascular workout. The dynamic nature of parkour and the constant movement also makes it a great form of cardio.
Parkour training typically involves performing a variety of movements at different intensities, which helps to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance. When performing parkour movements, the body uses energy from the cardiovascular system to supply the muscles with oxygen and nutrients, which can help to improve cardiovascular fitness.
Additionally, parkour training often involves running, jumping and climbing, which are high-intensity activities that can provide a cardio workout and help to increase the heart rate. This can help to improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and overall cardiovascular health.
It’s important to note that parkour training should be progressive and tailored to the individual’s fitness level and goals. It’s also important to seek guidance from experienced practitioners and to warm up properly before starting any training session.
Should parkour be taught in schools?
There is a debate on whether parkour should be taught in schools. Some argue that parkour can be a valuable addition to physical education programs because it provides a unique and challenging form of exercise that can help improve fitness, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, parkour can be a fun and engaging way for students to stay active and develop a love for physical activity.
On the other hand, parkour can be dangerous if proper training and safety precautions are not taken. It requires a significant level of skill and physical fitness, and many schools may not have the resources or trained staff to teach it safely. Additionally, parkour can be hard to incorporate into traditional physical education programs, as it often requires specialized equipment and facilities.
Personally, as someone who teaches physical education in schools, I believe it would be popular with many students of all ages. Traditional gymnastics isn’t for everyone it (unfairly) carries a stigma of being mainly a girls sport.
Parkour on the other hand is more contemporary, there are videos on YouTube with huge amounts of views and it is something more relatable for the younger generation.
Overall, whether or not parkour should be taught in schools depends on the specific school’s resources and the ability to provide safe training and facilities. If a school has the resources and trained staff to teach parkour safely, it could be a valuable addition to the physical education program. However, if a school lacks the necessary resources or trained staff, it may not be feasible to include parkour in the curriculum.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, parkour is more than just a fun way to stay active. It offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits and is a versatile form of exercise that can be done by people of all ages and skill levels. If you’re wondering whether it’s hard to learn check out this article here. Whether you are looking to improve your fitness, develop discipline, or just have fun, parkour is definitely worth considering.