American Parkour

Wow, I'm so glad you got out of that situation ok.

I went to an outdoor sports store, and bought "dog spray".  It's a smaller, very potent version of a can of bear spray, and fits in your pocket or on a key chain.  In Canada, it cost me about 22 bucks.  The theory is that you defend against large, aggressive dogs, but I'm sure a shot of that in the face would deter any jerk with bad intentions.  I don't know what the laws are where you're from, so make sure it's legal, I guess.

Intensity and focus I strive for through parkour at least.


I'm all about wilderness survival as well.  Alternative fire starting techniques are my thing. 

To bring that to parkour:  fire starting = obstacle.  Alternatives: matches, magnesium and flint, potassium permaganate and sugar etc etc.

Wall = obstacle.  Alternatives etc etc

According to this topic, we are trying out these various obstacles, while under some sort of physical handicap.  Kinda like where survivorman tried to show how to survive a fake plane crash, and did most of his survival week with an arm in a sling to simulate a broken arm.

Wow, one metaphor = total thread derailment?  Why not address the guys question directly?

To original poster:  I like the idea that you have been training while not focusing on needing to pee really bad.  That one always breaks my concentration, no matter what the situation.

Also, training without the use of certain limbs, although examples of extreme situations, is probably the point of training in the first place:  to get out of emergency situations.  You will probably be well prepared for more situations than most. 

It reminds me of a game my cousins and I used to play in the pool called "shark".  It was basically tag, but whatever part the IT person tagged, it was "bitten off" and you couldn't use it to swim away.

Sorry for the late reply, but thanks so much for your responses.

Oh My Shit. Still? This is still happening?
What he said. Nice opinions.

But on a serious note:

Yeh, this can be true...if your training is based almost completely on what is interesting, which i was under the impression that it isn't for you.

 I strength trained long before i started parkour and have yet to be injured beyond minor things that can hardly be considered an injury. People, typically, don't just start hitting massive things because they can make the distance. Because they still don't know what will happen even if they do make it. I've seen plenty of beginners that have huge jump, that could easily hit larger things than i could. But i haven't once seen a beginner take off and hit, say a 12 foot rail precision, just because they could make the distance easily. Because in their head they think, "i could slip, what if i land wrong, what if i don't make it, what if i jump too far. i don't know what will happen. That scares me. Thats dangerous. I need to work up to that by doing some smaller ones first". The only thing that separates them from me is that when i look at it i think "yeh i can make that, i expect to stick it first try, if i come up short ill bounce back, if i over shoot ill just hop off"

You're forgetting a huge aspect of parkour training, and in my opinion the most important aspect. Control. I came into parkour already very strong, but i didn't just go out and try to hit the most massive things i could, because i still had no idea what would happen because i had no control. So i trained control on small things constantly. I spend almost 100% of my day every day falling over and over again. I made it so that i could adapt to any situation, so that i could put my body in any position i wanted when i wanted to and when i needed to. The more control i had, the bigger things i could do. It never mattered how strong i was, what mattered is how much control i had. What mattered is whether or not i could look at something and go "yeh i can do this, and if any thing goes wrong i can adapt."  Now i can do whatever i want because i have the control to do it. I know that if i don't hit it perfect i can adapt. I know what will happen in almost any situation that i end up in and that i will be able to adapt in each and every one of those situations and come out safely because i have the control to do so. This is why i haven't sustained any real injuries.

I train almost every single day. About 3 days a week i train twice a day. And i Strength train 6 days a week. I have yet to see my strength training degrade my intelligence to a point that i would injure myself. Just because i can go further doesn't mean that i will. It doesn't matter how far i can go if i cant control it when i get there.

This may seem long and slightly repetitive. Sorry if it is. Im out of this discussion. I just felt this was a huge thing that was being missed.

This may have been the best post EVER.  Thanks man.  You're bang on.

That sounds so sweet.  What a great idea.

what do you mean hack

Not good musicians, and they were trying to act all hardcore by spitting water on the audience.  They also tried to get people on the floor to run at each other, which other, better bands have done before.


Three Days Grace was so fun though.

Parkour doesn't necessarily have to be about expression. What they're doing now is a little closer to what we would have to do in a real life predicament. So, they're going the practical route instead of the 'creative' route.

Why are you debating me?  I'm just expressing an opinion.  Are you critiquing my review?

http://exercise.about.com/cs/healthclubs/a/gymetiquette.htm

The Basics

While it's perfectly acceptable to sweat, grunt and make mean faces while working out, there are a few behaviors that aren't acceptable. Here are just a few rules for getting along with your fellow exercisers:

    * Share. If you're doing multiple sets on a machine, it's common courtesy to let others work in during your rest periods. This may not always be practical, but offer to share whenever you can.
    * Clean up After Yourself. My biggest pet peeve is someone who walks away from a machine, leaving a slimy pool of sweat behind. Thanks! Always bring a towel with you and wipe the machines down when you're finished. Most gyms offer wipes or sprays strategically located around the gym for this purpose.
    * Leave no trace. My next biggest pet peeve is the person who leaves six million pounds on the leg press machine. I don't know, maybe I look stronger than I am. The point is, always put your weights back when you're finished.
    * Don't hog the treadmill. Many gyms have time limits on cardio machines during busy hours. There's a reason for that, and you should obey it. And no, throwing your towel over the display doesn't fool me.
    * Keep it down. Most gym-goers I know have seen That Guy. The one pumping away on the treadmill while screaming into a cell phone. Unless it's an emergency, save your chat-time for after your workouts.
    * Cover it up. I respect the confidence that allows some people to walk around the locker room naked. Know what else I respect? Seeing you wearing a towel after your shower to keep the locker room a comfortable place for everyone.

Aside from practicing good manners at the gym, you also want to make sure your workouts are safe and effective. Use the following tips for navigating the confusing world of gym workouts.

How to Workout at the Gym

There are days when I cringe watching people workout. I see people flinging weights wildly, dropping heavy weights on the floor, hanging onto treadmills for dear life and just generally using bad form with their exercises. Here are a few tips for getting an effective workout without hurting yourself:

    * Use good form. Good form is different depending on what exercise you're doing but, in general, good form includes the following:
         1. Don't swing your weights. Unless you're doing a sports specific workout, use slow and controlled movements. If you have to heave the weight up, it's too heavy.
         2. Don't drop or throw the weights down. That's a great way to break a toe--yours or someone else's. If you're using a heavy weight, have a spotter nearby to help you.
         3. Don't lock your joints. When you get to the end of a motion--like a squat--keep your joints soft to avoid hurting yourself.
         4. Don't slump. Keep your abs engaged during all of your exercises and stand up straight to avoid injury and get the most out of your exercises.
    * Let go of the rails. It's tempting to take your treadmill speed/incline up so high, you have to hold on for dear life. I'm not sure why that's tempting, but it apparently is since a lot of people do it. You'll get a better workout if you let your arms swing naturally. Unless you need the rails to keep your balance and stay safe, keep your speed and incline at a level where you can comfortably let go.
    * Learn how to use the machines properly. I've seen people doing crunches on a leg press machine. If you don't know how a machine works, either look at the diagrams on the machine or ask someone to show you how it works. Most gym-goers are happy to help.
    * Learn how to set up a good workout for your goals. Rather than just showing up at the gym and randomly picking machines, have a plan before you walk in the door. This might mean hiring a trainer or educating yourself about the basics of exercise. Or visit my Workout Center for ideas.
    * Learn how to monitor your intensity. Since I started training, I've seen more than a few people puke after working too hard on the cardio machines. Beginner's often aren't sure of how much they can handle and end up working too hard, exercising too soon after eating or exercising without having eaten at all, all of which can cause stomach problems. Educate yourself on how to monitor your intensity and the right way to begin a cardio program.

Being a newcomer to a health club is tough for anyone, even veteran exercisers, especially when you're not sure how things work. Things will typically go much more smoothly if you take the time to follow the rules, be a pleasant gym-goer and, most of all, learn how to set up a safe, effective program. You'll be much more more likely to keep showing up for your workouts and make some new friends with like-minded people.

Why'd the turtle cross the road?

To get to the Shell station.


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