American Parkour

Hahaha @ "banks that gave out successful loans to open a parkour specific gym..."

you really have to have an in on that one man.  no matter how solid a business plan you think you've come  up with, in this economy nobody is going to give a stranger to their bank a loan to open a niche training facility based around discretionary income. 

Insurance is easy to get once you know what you want to offer.  Call a broker. 


Look up how similar models in our industry work-  mark2rock and ryanford use to be over here http://board.crossfit.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

sorry to sound like a dick but the reality of it isnt pretty.

without a wicked strong model you would probably end up just being an "employee" in that gymnastics or martial arts school...

Some are able to get their foot in the door with "workshops" and other one offs that allow for profit sharing type arrangements but chances are you'll probably end up with a wage unless youre bringing a whole lot to the table (equip/training/coaches/insurance/an established clientele/yadayadayada)

Dude, you should probably talk to people who have already done it.  Joe Torchia and Nick Kelly in Ohio started an "official" school recognized club at Ohio State University almost 4 years ago.  Its been done so go ask how and try to recreate their success. 

No need to reinvent the wheel. 


I would also try getting help from these guys or other "leaders" in the game directly.  No big call outs for help and a union of collaboration, just make a phone call or look up an email.  You will definitely get more real usable help that way.

head to the PK Loft to meet up, get info packet/register, and then one of the local leaders will start taking groups out to local spots for small sessions as people start coming in.

the full schedule (with detailed directions and meeting times) is going to be posted in the next two days. 

The PKGens guys at ADAPT today mentioned that Finland Parkour Association has an online database for exchanging/stealing awesome lesson plans from the better coaches in the community.  We need this.  Free.

if you have a lot of forward momentum with little downward drop you can usually flow back to a smooth run by kicking a little behind with the first foot into that split foot landing.

However, any significant amount of downward force or drop will "shear" your knee right off using this technique, so its kinda specific to the situation.

I checked out the mission a goals of the Rochester Parkour gym and was wicked stoked.  It sounded like the dream most of us go for when trying to form that community hub.  But I also saw the blog post where the gym might not make rent in the months to come due to lack of the necessary start up funds.  I think the model you are trying to create is admirable to say the least but it is also a very bold move.  I also felt that your post was trying to negate the, IMO, very accurate scenario that Chad was presenting.  PkVisions was started with about the same amount of cash flow that you mentioned so we know it can be done,  but that kind of business plan is likely to be scoffed at by any loan officer or business major.  Number one reason for start ups of any kind failing is the lack of proper start up capital,  so to encourage it just goes against what I've been taught since day one.   Didn't mean to offend you personally cause it is even harder for you in your situation ( even more stress and sacrifice), but that the idea presented is very unsafe/risky business.  Like I have mentioned in other forums I am wicked stoked that you guys exist and had the cajones to even try,  but I think the purpose of this thread was to present what it takes to make a successful business plan and attempt to figure out actual ongoing operating costs and get a loan from somebody other than a benefactor or "lucking out".

I'm a very blunt guy definitely to a fault.  But I'm honest.  You guys are trying to something wicked awesome and hold you in high regard and I whole heartedly apologize of you felt I was attacking you, your commitment to your community, or your goals.

Open housing spots are filled until we get more local volunteers.

Here are some good local hostels if you are interested though

Adelaidehostel.com - downtown hostel union squareish

Greentortoise.com - downtown north beachish - super good food and strip clubs

Dakota Hotel - hostel but called a hotel?  its downtown union squareish no website of their own but you can book on hostels.com or call them

These are the only ones i have been to and can personally vouch for. They are all pretty cheap and centrally located for BART/MUNI access.

Parking will be a bitch though.

IF more spots open up I will let you guys know.  See you in two weeks!!!

Yes it definitely helps to be a PART of a community if you want to try leading your own.

The monthly jam with about 50 people was 15 min from you this weekend where were you?  How are you mod of this forum and nobody around where you live has ever met or heard pf you??

You need to get back out there bro.

Well, here's the thing with that. APK does not allow posts for paid products or services. If we did, this place could potentially turn into nothing more than an ad farm. Believe me, I delete far more than any one person should have to know about.

Second, in fairness to APK, were are a business and we need to eat too, so things like advertising for a service that someone else is making money from is something that we should also make money from. That's fair.

So, you will see NEWS Like a new gym opening, but not posts about services, etc.  For example, I have no removed Chad's post about his new gym because that is new, but he will not be able to make ongoing posts advertising his classes, unless he pays for advertising on APK.  Of course APK academies have the privilege of posting info, etc because they are actually a part of APK, so they are entitled to the value of reaching our members.

Hope that all makes sense and sounds fair to everyone.

Bummer.^