Topic: places to train "suburbs"

[guitarhero_zrock]

I basicly live in a suburb and I dont know where i could train we got some benches and a brick old folks home houses and some have fences a few trees what could i do?  I cant really leave there either.  I think this is the right forum

[Nom]

The suburbs pose an interesting conundrum since what there is tends to be spread out.

Tips/Ideas
Privacy Fence:   cat leaps, tic tacs
Front Stoop:      train drops
Lawn:               rolls, anything you want a softer landing than concrete for
Driveway:          use the lines to practice precisions
Balcony/Railings: vaults galore
Picnic Table:      vaults, palmspins, drop training
Trees:               underbars, pullups, wallups, tic-tacs
Benches:           vaults, precision walking, cat walking, precision from bench to bench if available

Don't forget you can condition anywhere too. Be creative with what you have and you'll be fine.

[guitarhero_zrock]

ok thats cool

[Worm]

I started doing parkour in college, so I experienced this problem when I was home for the summer.

Schools are usually your best bet.  The lower grades have playgrounds, which offer a ton of conditioning possibilities, and there are usually at least a few fences/low walls to vault or climb.  Look for other stand-alone playgrounds as well, and be creative in finding new ways to fit through and climb up the equipment.

You know those green transformer boxes that are scattered everywhere?  They can be good for working on your pop vaults, climb-ups, and rolls (after jumping off).  I first learned to kong by starting on the smaller kind.

Tree climbing is great for improving coordination and body awareness, as well as fluidity and upper body strength.  You can practice laches from branch to branch--just stay safe and don't do anything risky at significant height.

If everything seems too spaced out, just remember that you can always incorporate a mile+ run/jog into your training.

[Nom]

I would suggest not playing on transformer boxes.

[guitarhero_zrock]

lol yea prpbably not the best idea.  You know if you dont completely like that shock. lol!

[GANinja443556]

I have a worse problem, during the summer, I'm stuck at my house, unless I'm working. My yard has sweet gum trees... and is on a slope... concrete is a softer, safer landing than the countless sweet gum balls throughout my yard... not to mention the fire ants... also a big pain.

[Jordan "Sirlig" Nelson]

If you can find a park bench, you can do LOTS.  If you can find a tree, you can do LOTS.  If you can find a low wall, you can do LOTS.  If you can find a playground, you can do LOTS.

Essentially, I would recommend looking at some videos of experienced, respected traceurs and see what they do on one object.  For example go to this post (2nd video in the thread): http://www.americanparkour.com/smf/index.php?topic=9911.msg125655#msg125655
and pay particular attention at :29 seconds.  Look at all he does on that one little wall!  If you trained similar movements even on just one object, you could develop some serious flow!

Look around...it's there; you just have to discover it.

[Worm]

I would suggest not playing on transformer boxes.

Despite those scary stickers that say "do not play on or around," there's nothing dangerous about vaulting or standing on one of these.  Aside from urban legends about harmful radiation, the only stories I've ever heard about anyone getting hurt is when they touched the exposed insides, which 1) usually isn't even possible, and 2) flies in the face of all common sense. 

Besides, do you think they would put them in people's yards if they weren't well-insulated?  They're great training obstacles, and you shouldn't shy away from them unless they look damaged or open (again, common sense).

[Nom]

Generally, I'll agree with you. Vaulting every so often over one is fine, I've done it and no harm done. But the point of this topic is places to train in the suburbs and while those are neat and oft times safe, prolonged stress from vaulting can cause dents and possible cracks.