We've had the Ariake III's for about two months now, and the most common question I get is "Are they worth $150" - read more to find out ...maybe

This article is a view on Parkour as a sport written by Nathan Reed.

I have observed that there are many among you who are quite adamant in the assertion that parkour is not and should never be a sport, that it is a personal discipline and should not be practiced competitively.  I understand where you're coming from.  For the most part, you got into parkour because you were not satisfied with the organized sports offered you.  You didn't want some coach screaming at you, telling you what to do - you wanted to do your OWN thing, your OWN way, and parkour gave you the opportunity to hang out with and make friends of a similar mindset.  You like what you've found, and you fear that THAT which you love most about the parkour community, its inspirational and supportive character, will somehow be spoiled by an emphasis on competition.  You're not sure quite how that might happen, but you fear that it will be so.  Understandable.

But was skateboarding ruined by becoming a professional sport?  Does the fact that some people make big money playing football make just tossing around the old pigskin any less fun?  And what of lifting weights?  Some people do it competitively, but it is first and foremost a personal discipline...

This great article by Brandee of Parkour Visions was originally an APK forum post.

The first thing you need is a Business Plan. This will get you thinking about what you--realistically--need to open a gym. How will you pay rent? Nearly every landlord you'll come up against will expect you to have something concrete to back up your plan, whether money in the bank account, insurance, or a client base--and most likely all of the above. (Get on the insurance hunt yesterday, as it will be one of your biggest first challenges.)

Photo From Parkour Vision's Blog