SEARCH
PARKOUR CLASSES AND TRAINING
Indoor and outdoor Parkour classes and training run frequently in Brisbane appropriate for all ages and absolute beginners to the quite advanced.
Classes for schools and other organisations or groups can be organised and private training is also available. For further information contact the Brisbane Parkour Representative.
Safety is a top priority in all our classes. Students are never asked to do anything they don't want to, anything which is beyond their capabilities or anything where there is a great amount of risk involved. There are first aid qualified instructors at every class.
Australian Parkour Association Instructors are required to meet strict criteria before they are considered competent to represent the Australian Parkour Association as an Instructor. To learn more about our Instructors click here.
DETAILS
For detailed information about the different kinds of classes offered use the links below:
LOCATIONS
Outdoor classes are run in the City at various locations. Indoor classes are held at the Somerville House Sports and Aquatic Centre. For further information visit the locations page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- > What is Parkour?
- > What will I learn in a class?
- > Who can attend a class?
- > Do I need to book or register before coming to a class?
- > Who will be teaching me in a class?
- > What else do I need to know about classes?
- > How much do classes cost?
- > When and where are the classes held?
- > When will you be teaching us how to do flips and tricks?
- > I’m really sore after class, is this normal?
- > How do I treat this post-exercise muscle soreness?
- > When do I get to do rooftops and big stuff?
- > Should I train outside of classes?
- > I’m very unfit and/or old should I come to a class?
What is Parkour?
Parkour is a non-competitive discipline originating in France, encompassing a set of principles combined with a way of moving within your environment and overcoming obstacles of any kind, be they physical or mental.
The physical aspect of Parkour involves practical movement techniques guided by the notions of escape and reach. For example, Parkour teaches you ways to move that can be used to gain ground on a pursuer during an escape.
Parkour methods involve running, crawling, jumping, climbing, and other methods of catching yourself, grabbing and hanging, rolling and balancing, applied to all environments both urban and natural. The Parkour practitioner aims to become highly proficient in all the above methods so they can be used in an emergency situation.
A Parkour practitioner is defined not by the way they move, but rather the application of movement with regards to the philosophy and purpose of parkour.
More detailed information can be obtained from the Parkourpedia.
What will I learn in a class?
What you will learn will vary significantly depending on kind of class you go to. Everything from fundamental techniques to advanced movements are taught, the philosophy behind Parkour is taught, every class will comprise some kind of strength and condition training and stretching.
Who can attend a class?
Anybody can attend a class, but you must bover 12 years of age for Basics Classes and over 16 to attend Basics Plus Classes. You can be at any fitness level to start coming to classes.
Use the navigation items to the side to check specific details relating to each kind of class.
Do I need to book or register before I come to a class?
You don't need to book for indoor classes, but you must book for all outdoor classes.
Who will be teaching me in a class?
Australian Parkour Association instructors are amongst the most talented and experienced practitioners in Australia. Instructors use methods shared throughout the Parkour community in Australia as well as knowledge and techniques sourced from around the globe.
What else do I need to know about classes?
You will need to wear comfortable clothes and suitable shoes, closed shoes e.g. running shoes.
Bring a bottle of water or two – more if the weather is hot. Some classes are held outdoors so bring sunscreen if you need it.
Arrive on time. If you cannot arrive on time, notify an instructor. If you do not notify the instructors of your late arrival, the class may move from the meeting place without you.
How much do classes cost?
The cost of classes varies depending on whether it is indoors or outdoors. $15 for all indoor classes, plus an insurance fee of $10 per semester or $30 per year, payable after your 2nd week of training. $10 for all outdoor classes.
When and where are the classes held?
Check the home page's calendar for specific up-to-date details on class times. Check the locations page for details on where classes are held.
When will you be teaching us how to do flips and tricks?
Flips and tricks are not part of Parkour. For this reason, they are not covered under our insurance policy and they will not be taught in classes. Secondly, while many instructors are capable of acrobatics, few are qualified to teach them. If you wish to learn about L'art du Deplacement or Freerunning read this in the Parkourpedia.
Should you wish to learn these other arts your most effective way to achieve this goal is to learn Parkour initially, your grounding in Parkour will give you the right spirit and training techniques for your further training. From there you can go to a gym and learn flips in a safe environment from people who best know how to teach them. You can then combine the two out on the street.
Details of Gyms in your area can be found here.
I’m really sore after Class, is this normal?
It is perfectly normal to be experience muscular pain after classes. The pain is caused by sudden changes in physical activity and muscular loading and usually lasts for 3-7 days. As your body adapts to the training and becomes stronger and your conditioning increases, you will feel less and less discomfort after classes. This muscle soreness can be reduced with a thorough warm up and warm down before and after activity.
Remember, this pain signals that your body is adapting and getting stronger.
How do I treat this post-activity muscle soreness?
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness generally subsides in less than a week (and up to two weeks), but there are several ways to reduce the discomfort:
- RICE treatment (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) of the affected area.
- Gentle stretching, gentle low-impact exercise, and gentle massage.
- Some anti-inflammatory medications can temporarily reduce discomfort.
If pain does not show signs of improvement in 7 days, consult a physician.
When do I get to do big stuff?
The Australian Parkour Association discourages dangerous drops. The classes will not take students to do big rooftop jumps, or other dangerous activities. The classes are about teaching you the basics, not putting lives at risk. The APA does not endorse dangerous behaviour and will not tolerate it during classes. If you insist on performing dangerous stunts, you will be asked to leave the class..
Should I train outside of classes?
This is strongly encouraged. If you only isolate your training to classes you will take a long time to learn and improve. Classes are here to guide you and give you a base to start from. Ideally we want you to reach a point where you no longer need classes and have learnt to teach and train yourself. The best way to do this is train as much as possible outside of classes.
I’m very unfit and/or old. Should I come to a class?
Yes you should. We have had people in their fifties and older who attend classes and enjoy themselves, and excel in some areas. Unfit people attend as well. Initially you may find some difficulty with being unfit but if you persist and take what you learn and train outside of classes you will become fitter and more confident. The best way to get fit for Parkour is to do it!