Parkour preparation training

ColorfulSouls

I'm looking to get into parkour and I have noticed that I definitely CAN NOT lift myself from a hanging position (i.e. pull ups)

Other than push ups and pull ups (which definitely is out of the question), what other exercises do you suggest we could do to strengthen the upper body?

I also need to work on my agility...

Considering food, I upped my protein and lowered the fat intake. I really want to be able to support my body with more than just my legs.

UpToAnyCool

BUMP

(sorry no tips for you, but interesting topic)

Barelmy

Check out this blog; http://nerdfitness.com/blog

You could try one arm rows [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej9XLPN3mPo ] or inverted rows [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu3h6Ai9O0Q ].

I'm currently still on one arm rows, and I try hanging off a bar three times a week (there's one near my running routes). I generally tense my arms for 5-10 seconds (lifting myself about an inch at this point), then lower, for a total of thirty seconds. It seems to help.

Planks, sideplanks, and tabletops might help too.

davejlee

A few things you could try:

Assisted pull-ups. Put your feet on a stool or chair underneath and slightly in front of your body as you do the pull-ups. That way you're not lifting your total body weight.

Probably the best, most common overall upper body exercises are pull-ups/chin-ups, push-ups, bench presses and any overhead presses or pull-downs.

Barelmy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYUxXMGVuuU

^ inverted rows on a table. Those are still tricky for me, so I do one arm rows with encyclopaedias for weights (about 5lbs).

ColorfulSouls

It seems like a good start. I'll start on it tomorrow :]

ColorfulSouls

Ooooooh, that looks painfully awesome.

xMedullaOblongatax

I know this is an old thread... but thank you guys for posting all the good stuff. I am exercising and preparing myself for parkour as well!