My son is very young but really into parkour...

[jo]

Hi There,

I have searched and can't really find a definitive regarding the age you can start parkour. I am mum to Harry who is almost 6 and watches constantly videos of parkour and free running! There are mattresses all over my house so he can jump off things and around things. He is constantly trying to become more agile and quick! He loves to watch skateboarders and takes his scooter with him to try tricks. A walk to the shop is fantastic as it often involves leaping over peoples walls and stealth running through their gardens! A lot of the gymnastic classes where we live are oversubscribed and he is on waiting lists which would be an alternative at his young age.

So, I would really like to encourage him further, take him to see people doing parkour etc but I just don't know where and is he too young to be doing parkour? What can I do with him regarding protecting his joints etc and ensuring his diet supports the energy he is expending? Any help greatly appreciated.


Thanks


Jo

[shivimalik]

Its great to see that your son is so much into parkour and that too at this age. I don't think that there is any recommended minimum age to start parkour unless you don't injure yourself. Hope the following article helps:- thebestparkourgear.com/beginners-guide-for-parkour/

[PiPro]

Apr 30, 2015 11:28:38 GMT (at)jo said:

Hi There,

I have searched and can't really find a definitive regarding the age you can start parkour. I am mum to Harry who is almost 6 and watches constantly videos of parkour and free running! There are mattresses all over my house so he can jump off things and around things. He is constantly trying to become more agile and quick! He loves to watch skateboarders and takes his scooter with him to try tricks. A walk to the shop is fantastic as it often involves leaping over peoples walls and stealth running through their gardens! A lot of the gymnastic classes where we live are oversubscribed and he is on waiting lists which would be an alternative at his young age.

So, I would really like to encourage him further, take him to see people doing parkour etc but I just don't know where and is he too young to be doing parkour? What can I do with him regarding protecting his joints etc and ensuring his diet supports the energy he is expending? Any help greatly appreciated.


Thanks


Jo

Hopefully you will be able to see this. As a younger person doing parkour, it is important to lay the groundwork for good technique above all else.
Depending what area you live in, there are parkour classes in a lot of local gyms and many teach classes aimed at young children. They are fun and they get to meet new friends.

[njparkour]

Its great to see your son is trying Parkour/Freerunning out at a young age, if he keeps it up, he'll be able to do it for most of his life, if he wants to.
Keep him motivated, make him feel proud of himself, but don't overdo it.

I've been at Parkour for years now, and I highly suggest, you get him started, with some safe Playgrounds around parks,

Secondly, Seeing as you want to encourage him You could try to give him some ideas, alot of beginners, should practice with basic objects.

But, make sure, he has some sort of matress to land on. Unless nothing deems dangerous.
But make it as safe as possible. Seeing as he's training and young. 

Back to my point, basic objects, for example, He could try to jump off a bed onto the floor and practice safety rolls,
He could practice balanace on the curbs, and jumping from one to the other.
He could just take a wooden board and place it crooked on a wall, And do a instant wall flip.


Anyway, my main point is, Make sure there is a safe environment to learn in, and to keep him Motivated.
I'm not in the UK, I'm just here to answer questions.

[njparkour]

Not to spam, but I forgot to add some things, He should do excersizes regularly, To decrease joint pain, he should watch Safety roll videos, and practice them by jumping off low matresses, Just jumping off of a car, can't hurt him then, but it will hurt him later.
Also, go on google, Put your location into the search bar, then type parkour gyms. Even though if they make him wait, no true gym should ever do that to a kid.
Take him to a park.

I suggest redirecting him to the youtube channel "Ronnie Street Stunts"
Trust me, I've watched this guy for 4 years. Make sure he isn't tresspassing any restricted areas also