The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook [Paperback]

Dan Edwardes (Author), Parkour Generations (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2009

Join the movement

Combining the core elements of running, jumping, and climbing with the discipline of the martial artist, the grace of the gymnast, and the virtuosity of the skateboarder, parkour—or freerunning—is more than simply an elegant noncompetitive sport. It's an art form, a philosophy promoting fitness, imagination, community spirit, and ethical, healthy living.

The Parkour and FreeRunning Handbook is your guide to becoming part of this urban revolution. With standout features on fitness and training, global cityscapes and using the space of the urban environment, and tips on how to avoid mistakes and injuries, this is more than just a user's manual. It explores the techniques, culture, clothes, and community of freerunning, showing just what it takes to hit those handstands, kong vaults, and wall hops. This essential handbook is the only guide the fledgling traceur will ever need to get jumping!

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: It Books (August 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061783676
• ISBN-13: 978-0061783678
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Extreme Sports
  • #70 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Running & Jogging

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me an even greater appreciation for those who practice parkour..., July 17, 2010

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook (Paperback)

No, I'm not planning on taking up a new activity that would likely land me in the hospital within a week (if not sooner). But I *do* find the videos of parkour fascinating. When I saw the book The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook by Dan Edwardes show up at my local library, I figured it was worth a quick read just to find out more about the sport. This is the perfect book for someone curious about parkour and how practitioners are able to leap and dive over obstacles with ease. And if you were actually interested in getting started, there's enough information here to learn the basics while getting a solid grounding in how to keep from killing yourself in the process.

I think what surprised me most is that its really more of a philosophy and life attitude, akin to something you might find within the martial arts. It combines play, lifestyle, discipline, and methodology. Those who are serious about parkour start to view it as the foundation of all movement, the ability to flow with the environment and use the body to overcome barriers that normally block our paths. I can easily see how it could become the basis of an entire fitness regimen, as it combines strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular activities into a single sport. That's probably why the videos you see of parkour always seem to have people who look incredibly fit and ripped.

The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook was a quick read for what I was looking to get out of it, and it will change the way I view parkour videos from here on out. The "wow" factor will remain, but it will also be joined by a solid appreciation of what it takes to get to that level.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Beginner Guide to the Discipline, November 15, 2009

By 

Scott - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook (Paperback)

Brilliant guidebook for those interested in starting to train. Explains perfectly the history, various movements, and philosophy of parkour.It even throws in fitness training suggestions as well. Incorporating great photography and surprisingly helpful tutorials, this is the definitive guidebook for fledgling traceurs.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beginner's guide to Parkour, March 12, 2010

By 

Michael A. Duvernois (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook (Paperback)

This is from the Parkour Generations folks who have a number of videos and educational programs online. They've taught everyone from school children to Hollywood stuntmen and stuntwomen. The book is thin, but has good photographs and a solid step-by-step technique building program. The core stance on the book is practice, practice, and practice with an eye towards grace and silent, smooth execution of technique. This could be a good motivational book for someone new to Parkour or freerunning, but it's hard to imagine pushing too far into this without good instructors as well.