Parkour, sometimes called l’art du déplacement (“the art of movement”), is the discipline of moving through your environment in the most efficient and natural way possible. It was developed in France during the 1980s by David Belle and his friends, inspired by his father Raymond Belle’s experiences as a firefighter navigating obstacles under pressure with speed, strength and focus. The name “parkour” comes from the French word parcours, meaning “course” or “route.”
At its heart, Parkour is about practicality and resilience. Practitioners, known as traceurs, use running, vaults, jumps, climbs and balance to flow through the world around them. It’s not about performing stunts for show, but about developing useful strength, adaptability, and the mental discipline to overcome challenges both physical and psychological.
What is Freerunning?
Freerunning grew from the same roots in the early 2000s. While Parkour emphasises efficiency and purpose, Freerunning focuses on self-expression and creativity. Freerunners often add flips, spins and acrobatic movements — more performance-oriented, designed to showcase style and flair.
Both Parkour and Freerunning are branches of the same family of movement. One is about moving from A to B with efficiency, the other about exploring expression along the way. Many people train in both, finding their own balance between function and artistry.
Parkour in Sheffield and South Yorkshire
Parkour and Freerunning have grown rapidly in recent years, especially in urban areas like Sheffield. The Steel City, with its unique blend of concrete, steel, and surrounding green spaces, has become one of the UK’s strongest hubs for training.
Since 2005, Sheffield Parkour & Freerunning (SPKF) has introduced thousands of people across Sheffield, Rotherham and the wider South Yorkshire region to the discipline. From iconic railings and walls in the city centre to wooded trails and stonework in the countryside, our environment offers endless opportunities to train. Our community has also featured at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, contributed to local culture, and created a welcoming network of practitioners that blends play, discipline and friendship.
More than Movement
Parkour isn’t just about rooftops and huge jumps — though those can exist. It can be as simple as hopping between kerbs, vaulting a railing, or climbing a wall you once thought impossible. Training builds strength, balance, and awareness, while also sharpening focus and helping you see the world differently.
At its core, Parkour teaches you to overcome obstacles — physical and mental. It builds confidence, resilience, and community. Most importantly, it’s fun: a way to reconnect with play and creativity at any age.
Safety and Training
Parkour and Freerunning are physical disciplines that should be practised responsibly. Building a strong foundation of fitness and learning correct technique with experienced practitioners is essential for both safety and progress. At SPKF we prioritise safe, progressive training for children, beginners and advanced athletes alike.
Get Involved
If you’d like to try Parkour or Freerunning in Sheffield, we’d love to welcome you. Join our Discord, check out our socials, or come along to a session – and start discovering how movement can change the way you see the world.