Parkour - why is it the sport of the future?

What exactly is parkour?

Parkour, also known as l'art du déplacement, is the art of efficient movement in urban and natural spaces. Its goal is to quickly, smoothly and efficiently overcome obstacles such as walls, railings or benches. For traceurs (parkour practitioners) it is not just a sport, but a way of thinking and living.

Parkour park in Krakow (Avia housing estate, Czyżyny)

Parkour or freerun? Two faces of movement

Although the two sports are related, there are two basic differences:

• Parkour focuses on efficiency - the traceur is focused on getting to the goal as quickly as possible using obstacles, i.e. walls, railings, benches.
• Freerun focuses on effectivity - here flips, tricks and creative sequences count.

Who builds parkour parks in Poland?

Although the essence of parkour is to take advantage of what urban space has to offer, in recent years more and more cities around the world have decided to create spaces dedicated to traceurs.

In Poland, the leader in the design and construction of professional parkour parks is FlowParks, part of the Techramps Group. The brand has more than 200 projects in its portfolio at home and abroad. These include.

• flowparks for parkour and freerun,
• street workout parks and OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) tracks,

• innovations in projects, i.e. 3D printing from concrete.

Examples of FlowParks' realizations

FlowParks has been offering comprehensive implementation of sports facilities since 2013. From concept and design, through obstacle production, to installation and certification in accordance with safety standards.

• Parkour Park in Krakow (Avia housing estate, Czyżyny)

• FlowPark made of 3D printed concrete in Warsaw's Ursynów district - the first such facility in Poland, the second in the world!

Where in the world is parkour most popular?

Parkour is growing rapidly around the world, but particularly strong communities and extensive infrastructure are found:

• France

It was here, in the Paris suburb of Lisses, that the movement started by David Belle was born. France has been investing in urban infrastructure to support parkour for years, and the leading parkour contractor in France is Playgones, which has projects across the country.

Beautifully located Flowpark in the town of Chambery

• In the United States

The US is one of the largest markets for urban sports. The multitude of large cities and perfectly developed architecture is a paradise not only for tracers, but also for all urban sports. Despite the large availability of urban obstacles, the US also has many dedicated parkour parks. A realization that is definitely worth mentioning here is the Parkour Park in Mount Kisco, which has been equipped with a unique in the world zone simulating balconies.

Parkour Park in Mount Kisco

• In Ireland

  Ireland has been rapidly developing parkour-related sports infrastructure in recent years - particularly in Dublin and Cork, where professional parks and training spaces have been established. Support is also being given to local traceur groups and educational initiatives to promote the sport among young people.

Parkour Park Dublin

Modern technology in the service of movement - innovations in the construction of flowparks for parkour

As the popularity of parkour grows around the world, so does the technology of parkour design and construction. Today's flowparks for parkour are not just a set of metal tubes or concrete blocks - they are the result of collaboration between engineers, athletes and urban architects. Increasingly , composite materials, sustainable technologies and even 3D printing are being used.

FlowPark made of 3D printed concrete - Ursynów as a showcase for innovation

In 2024, FlowParks completed a groundbreaking project - the first in Poland and the second in the world 3D printed concrete parkour park, which was built in Park Przy Bażantarni in Warsaw's Ursynów district.

Parkour Park Ursynów, Warsaw

What sets it apart?

• More than 200 sq m of space
• Arched obstacle systems that encourage creativity of movement
• Collaboration with the local traceur community in the design
• Extreme durability and safety thanks to 3D printing technology

It's a project that shows that parkour can be part of a smart, green city of the future.

Why should you start training parkour?

• Improves fitness, strength and agility
• Teaches creative thinking and quick reactions
• Builds self-confidence and mental toughness
• Doesn't require specialized equipment - all you need are good shoes and an open mind

Visit our website to learn more about the solutions we create to support traceurs and the development of parkour culture.