Topic: Kong/ Monkey Vault Help

[J Kyle Smith]

I have recently been trying to get into parkour, and I'm really determined to, but I keep on running into a common problem.

Every time I try to kong/ monkey vault I can't do to my lack of flexibility in my legs (mostly the hamstrings I believe) I cannot touch my toes nor touch my toes, which prevents me from being able to bend my legs high enough to clear a kong or monkey vault.

Is there any type of exercise that can help, or do I have the wrong idea in mind on how to properly attempt a kong/ monkey vault?

[Andy Keller]

Check out this Kong Tutorial for help and check out the other threads in Movement about kongs.

I'm moving this to the movement forum, btw.

[Sean Au]

If your hamstrings can't stretch, just like any other part of your body, keep stretching it to increase its flexibility. If you can't touch your toes, try and touch your ankles. Just stretch everyday and you'll see improvement. Before I couldn't touch my ankles for 5 seconds, now i can touch my toes anytime I want. Practice is the key

[Cheshire Parkour]

I've had the same problem, my cousin is always trying to get me to kong vault, and i just cant do it. He got it so easy, idk why i cant. I really liked that video though, that helped alot, and ill definantly stretch every day. Good luck to you man

[Seiji93]

I think toe touching is a frivolous goal. It's too easy. Palms to the floor is better.

[Dan Frank]

I think toe touching is a frivolous goal. It's too easy. Palms to the floor is better.

Everyone's different.

[Adam McC]

A lot of people seem to think monkeys are a flexibility issue, but I have trouble believing that. If you can squat down and touch your arms to the ground, in a -middle of monkey vault- position, then you have the flexibility to perform the monkey. If you can fit your legs between your arms, then you're good to go, its just a matter of committing, mentally. Andy's progressional tutorial will help you with that, but I don't think its flexibility. If you can squat down and touch your hands next to your feet, you can do a monkey.

[super dude]

here are some youtube vids hope they help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdJot8Naju4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvX3U7bXMeY&feature=related

[Sean Au]

here are some youtube vids hope they help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdJot8Naju4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvX3U7bXMeY&feature=related

I prefer not to watch expertvillage, Matthew Willis is awesome, but I think the way expertvillage wrote the series isn't that good. THe instruction is not very detailed. Urban Current has great tutorials, probably the best on youtube.

[Jose "ballzy" Baliño]

i would say to try it on a med. object
i just tried this today and i was afraid i would get my leg stuck on the bench and i ended up falling, good thing i reacted and put my hands in front of me.shoulda listen to Daniel Ilabaca and chosen not to fall

[Kevin Conti]

Your feet do not actually go past your hands, it's kind of an illusion.

Also, make sure to keep your head down, which will help your body get vertical, which will help you clear the obsticle.

I had the same problem, and even though I am new, I can now clear obsticles up to my chest

[J Kyle Smith]

Your feet do not actually go past your hands, it's kind of an illusion.

Also, make sure to keep your head down, which will help your body get vertical, which will help you clear the obsticle.

I had the same problem, and even though I am new, I can now clear obsticles up to my chest

What do you mean that it's more of an illusion?

[Andy Keller]

What do you mean that it's more of an illusion?

He means that you push off with your hands before your legs get to them. You legs never pass through your hands.

[J Kyle Smith]

He means that you push off with your hands before your legs get to them. You legs never pass through your hands.

Thanks that really helps a lot, I haven been trying to get my legs through my arms the entire time.

It's nice to have forums like these, haha.

[turtlekarma]

Thanks that really helps a lot, I haven been trying to get my legs through my arms the entire time.

It's nice to have forums like these, haha.

are you sure you weren't going for a kash then?  as long as it's efficient and fast (works for you), doesn't really matter what you do...I know you wanted help on Kong, but there's nothing wrong with a kash (which might be what you're talking about, a kind of kong and dash put together)...if you wanna get your legs through your arms that's a diff technique then what these guys have been helping you with.  Try to go through the apk descriptions of moves to understand the body mechanics before attempting them.