Topic: So...I'm a total newbie

[Falcon.]

And I'm just looking for tips.  I'm a girl, so I was rather intimidated to actually start in the first place.  But I'm finally getting out there and would love some advice.  What workouts are good for starting out?
Thanks so much.

[Jason C. Astor]

First step. Empty out any pre concieved notion of Parkour. Big Jumps and crazy flips are down the road so don't even worry about them yet.

Step two- Basic Conditioning. Leg workouts seem to be the best thing due to the need for explosive jumps. Squats-Dead lifts- Pistols are great. Running for Cardio and speed. Upper body work, Push ups are okay to start, Pull ups. Check the General Fitness Board and the Women Board for lots of helpful stuff and maybe start a training log. People here are very helpful

Step 3-Mobility, spacial awareness and balance are also super important. Look up or create a dynamic stretching program and warm up, this will help keep you safe from injury and is usually a good workout. QM (Quadrapedal Movement), Rolls, Rail walk (or the thinnest AND LOWEST thing you can find). Practice precission jumps by drawing a line on the ground and landing on it. Start touching everything, sounds weird I know, but this improves awareness of your own space.

The fact that you're a girl isn't that important to the true reason of parkour- To be better today then you were yesterday. To grow.

And most important, be safe and Have fun

[Falcon.]

Thank you so much for those tips!  I really appreciate it!  I find push-ups and pull-ups extremely challenging, but I am going to continue working on those.  Thank you for your advice. 

[7Erik7]

Do not underestimate the drop jump!

It's really important for parkour to get good, solid landings in the beginning. Do drop jumps in repetitions from low level. Knee-height or a little bit lower is generally a good height - but let the quality of the landing decide that - quality is always more important than height.
You can for instance do them in sets, for example, 8 reps in three sets. When you repeat small drops in a controlled manner you'll slowly work on you your neuromuscular efficiency, aswell as strengthening muscles, tendon and ligaments. Since landings are used in almost every movement I have found it to be very important to get them right in the beginning.

This video explains how to land properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU0QhBb_5bE

[Jason C. Astor]

Do not underestimate the drop jump!

It's really important for parkour to get good, solid landings in the beginning. Do drop jumps in repetitions from low level. Knee-height or a little bit lower is generally a good height - but let the quality of the landing decide that - quality is always more important than height.
You can for instance do them in sets, for example, 8 reps in three sets. When you repeat small drops in a controlled manner you'll slowly work on you your neuromuscular efficiency, aswell as strengthening muscles, tendon and ligaments. Since landings are used in almost every movement I have found it to be very important to get them right in the beginning.

This video explains how to land properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU0QhBb_5bE

^ this is good advice. However, Even from knee height you can hurt yourself or pull something if your body isn't prepared for it. Be sure to exercise your ankles and knees and the rest of your body to "Receive" the ground. Before you jump from 3 inches off the ground, make sure you can jump and land from flat ground. Also
Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21rwl0oWwuY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21rwl0oWwuY</a>

[Falcon.]

Thank you both so much!  That video is really helpful, and I'll be sure to keep it in mind.  I really appreciate it!

[Ryan A. Vetter]

Avoid me, that is all.

[Falcon.]

Seeing as we live in two separate states, I don't think that will be much of a problem.   

[Sam Dutton]

Eat right. You need lots of nutrients to help with muscle recovery and we will get stronger faster. We have a section about diets, I suggest checking it out. Also, I'm not sure how much you train, but make sure to have rest days, I reccomend at least 2 a week to begin with.