If jumping over fences, somersaulting benches, leaping onto walls or sliding down rails sounds something adventurous to you, then “Freerunning” could be your cup of tea.

What is Freerunning?

Freerunning is better known as the “art of expressing through motion”. Originated in France, freerunning involves a runner, also known as a ‘traceur’, who attempts to pass several static obstacles in the quickest and the most straight forward manner possible, using skills such as vaulting, jumping, spinning, rolling, climbing and flipping. Freerunners use these obstacles to enhance their motion and create a forward flow. This sport is mainly practices in urban areas which include plenty of structures, such as fences, buildings, walls and rails.

The Initial Stage

There are a number of freerunning organizations and clubs present with the new ones popping up all the time. Try looking for a club near your place or simply Google ‘freerunning’ for a list of such organizations that are available in your neighborhood.   New clubs welcome new members, who help them learn the basics well, provide proper guidance on fitness and exercise. Even if you cannot look for a local club, try collecting your friends together at a freerunning spot around your home or streets. This is the best part about this sport, that ‘It can be done just anywhere’.

Physical Fitness

It is essential to have a very good, all-round physical fitness level before even attempting your first free-run. The emphasis is done on both, the ‘stamina’ and the core ‘muscles’. Exercises such as stomach crunches, press-ups, chin-ups will help you build your arms, shoulders providing core strength. Running and jogging should be done on a very regular basis in order to keep the legs and joints in healthy condition. In order to avoid any type of injury or joint and muscle strains and sprains, you should always warm-up and stretch all parts of the body before a freerunning session.

Jumping and Landing

As mentioned, you need to use these obstacles for your run. Using these obstacles to make your path is what turns it into a ‘freerun’. A beginner should always start with small objects before onto the bigger ones. The small objects should be a couple of feet high and not more. Simple vaults over benches and low railings should be tried first. More the obstacles you try, more you’ll get to learn spotting better opportunities and challenging routes.  But it is strictly advised to not take on much too soon because accidents do happen. The sport should be played well within the limits.

Kit Requirements

Freerunning doesn’t cost you much, when it comes to the kit requirements. The sport generally involves wearing light and comfortable clothes. Loose clothes are much preferred, as the emphasis is on movement and whatever you wear shouldn’t restrict any kind of body movement by any chance. Athletics gloves can be added to the kit to provide a better grip and protection against rough and abrasive surfaces like concrete, bricks, etc. The most important part of the kit is the ‘pair of shoes’. A good pair of freerunning shoes is necessary for the surface grip, especially off the slippery rails and vertical objects. Plenty of such shoes can be easily looked-up on the web.