What is parkour and can I train it?

What are parkour and circus?
Parkour is a physical discipline and sport where practitioners aim to move from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible. It includes running, vaulting, jumping, climbing, rolling, and other techniques to overcome obstacles. That’s how parkour was traditionally described, but today it has evolved, incorporating elements from dance, skating, and gymnastics.

Our circus classes focus mainly on acrobatics, such as floor acrobatics, aerial acrobatics, and partner acrobatics. In children’s classes, participants also get the chance to explore juggling.

Can I train parkour or circus?
Yes, parkour and circus are for everyone! We offer classes for children (both young and older), families, youths, and adults. Our sessions are designed to create a safe and welcoming environment where anyone can join! No prior experience is needed, as we don’t have skill requirement tests or levels in our classes (except for the parkour kids AKTIIVI groups).

Our professional and experienced coaches will help you adjust the challenges to match your skill level. You never have to attempt anything you’re not comfortable with. If you have any questions, our coaches are always there to assist!

What classes do we offer?

What classes are available?
Our schedule is packed with classes from Monday to Sunday, with participants as young as 4 years old. We offer a wide variety of classes for both kids and adults, so you can choose the ones that suit you best. If you miss a class, no worries—you can make it up in any other session that fits your age group. You can check the current schedule here.

We also have free gym sessions on Saturdays and Sundays. Non-members can join for just 5€, and if you’re already enrolled in our classes, these gym sessions are included at no extra cost.

 

What about events and birthdays?
What could be better than a parkour-themed birthday party? If you’re interested in hosting one at our gym, you can get in touch with us here. We also organize free events for kids and families, like the World’s Longest “Floor is Lava” course. You can find the dates for these events here.

Every year, before the next semester begins, we offer trial lessons where anyone can join in without the pressure of signing up right away. You can just come, try out the classes, and have fun! Information about the trial lessons can be found here.

Where is the gym located?

How do I sign up?
You can find information about our age groups and the current semester here. If you’re ready to join right away, you can sign up here (in Finnish). For any questions about our classes, camps, or billing, feel free to email us at vallila@parkourakatemia.fi!

We also organize camps for kids and youths during the summer, autumn, and spring breaks. You can find more information about these camps here (in Finnish).

Where is the gym?
The Vallila gym is located in central Helsinki, at Teollisuuskatu 16. You can find detailed entrance instructions here (in Finnish). Completed in 2021, the gym is divided into two sections: one for parkour and one for circus.

In total, there are 320 square meters of training space, along with a weightlifting area next to the waiting area. The ceiling height is around 8 meters in the circus area and 6 meters in the parkour area, providing plenty of space to move and practice.

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