Hot Moves: Parkour

Who didn’t like playing on the playground as a kid? Taking the playground to the next level, Cincinnati’s growing parkour and freerunning community is seeking a thrill and getting a workout in the process. Parkour, unlike gymnastics and other sports, has no pre-set moves that one learns. Rather, the emphasis is on teaching the mind and body to react to various obstacles (usually in urban environments) using proper jumping and landing techniques. It is challenging and fun, and uses public settings and objects ranging from actual playgrounds to buildings, picnic tables, walls, rocks and much more as natural obstacle courses. For a traceur (as they are called), the goal is to navigate an obstacle in the most efficient and safest way possible through practice and tips from more advanced athletes. Freerunning is a similar discipline that is less about efficiency of movement and more about creativity and flair. The local traceurs meet for an open gym every Sunday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information contact Matt Peveley at 513-259-1214 or visit www.cincinnatiparkour.org.