LA fitness news

Road Less Travelled.

April 28, 2010

 

Since featuring in the film Casino Royale, Parkour – l’art du deplacement – has received a good deal of media coverage of late. If you’ve missed it, take a look at our Bond clip to the right.

Originating in France (name’s a giveaway isn’t it), Parkour is the art of getting from A to B in a way that negotiates all of the obstacles in the way – trees, buildings, benches, railings etc. - in the most efficient manner. Along the way traceurs and traceuses need to use a range of jumping and climbing movements.

Now that the summer is approaching, we know that a lot of our members will be keen to give Parkour a go – perhaps on the way to the gym even – so here are a few suggestions on getting into shape: You’ll need to work on leg strength (leg press, squats, lunges, calf raises etc.) and some upper body work like press ups, chins, dips etc. would also be helpful. Core strength is vital – low back and abdominal work to the fore – and balance is also important (if you haven’t used it already, try the Bosu ball).

If Parkour doesn’t light your fire, the same exercises are great for summer sports like tennis, golf and mountain biking.