Why Is Parkour Dangerous? Let's Talk About It

Parkour has a bit of a reputation—it’s either seen as an extreme, reckless activity or as something completely safe (at least, if you ask experienced practitioners). The truth, though, lies somewhere in the middle. Yes, parkour can be dangerous, but probably not in the way you might think.

The level of danger in parkour depends entirely on how you approach it. Some athletes push their limits with jaw-dropping feats, like flipping across the Manpower Gap (a famous rooftop jump with a very intimidating drop below). Others, however, use parkour as a way to stay strong, agile, and capable—both now and well into old age. 

Movement itself carries an inherent risk, and parkour is no different. But let’s dive into what makes parkour dangerous and why that danger isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Parkour Is Dangerous—And That’s OK

Let’s get one thing straight: parkour is dangerous. But before you run for the hills, let’s break down what that actually means. 

Danger vs. Risk

Danger refers to something that poses a threat to safety. For example, jumping between rooftops has an obvious risk of falling. Risk, however, is the likelihood of that danger causing harm. Risk is influenced by things like preparation, skill level, and environmental conditions. 

Imagine this: falling off a building would definitely hurt if you fell, but if you’ve trained for that jump 10,000 times in a safe setting and know your limits, the risk of falling is much, much lower. 

In his video Parkour Is Dangerous, But It’s OK, Rene Scavington of Origins Parkour puts it into perspective by comparing parkour to riding a bike. Riding a bike is inherently dangerous—you could fall, or worse, get hit by a car. But we wear helmets and take precautions because we consider the benefits of biking “worth the risk.” 

Parkour works the same way. The benefits are huge: better strength, mobility, confidence, and problem-solving skills. But just because high-level athletes perform daring stunts doesn’t mean you have to. After all, you don’t need to be a BMX pro to enjoy riding a bike, right?

Everyday Examples of Accepting Danger

We accept danger in everyday life all the time. Take cars, for example: driving is one of the most dangerous things we do regularly. According to the CDC, car crashes are the leading cause of death globally for people aged 5-29. Yet we still drive, because we need to get to work, pick up the kids, or take a road trip. 

The point is, danger is a part of life, and we often deem it “worth the risk” in exchange for the benefits. Parkour is no different—it’s about managing risk, not eliminating it entirely.

Why We Need Danger

Here’s the twist: danger isn’t just something to fear—it’s actually one of parkour’s greatest strengths. 

In today’s world, we’ve removed so much challenge, inconvenience, and danger from our lives. But that doesn’t mean we’re safer. In fact, avoiding challenge often leads to other risks down the line. For example, training your balance by carefully walking on a rail might seem risky, but it helps develop the skills you need to stay steady when you trip on a crack in the sidewalk or hike on uneven terrain. 

By engaging with danger in a controlled way, you also become better at assessing risk. Parkour practitioners are experts at this because they:

- Understand the environment: They analyze surfaces (e.g., is the wall stable? Is the ground slippery?).

- Evaluate personal ability: They know their own limits and train to expand them.

- Plan movements: They can visualize each step of a jump or climb before attempting it.

- Test the setup: They often perform smaller, safer movements to get a feel for the surface or distance.

In short, parkour teaches you to approach danger intelligently, not recklessly. 

How Does It Compare To Other Sports?

One of the biggest misconceptions about parkour is that it’s more dangerous than traditional sports. The truth? It’s hard to say for certain, but while it may or may not be less dangerous, it doesn’t seem to be any more dangerous. However, comparing injury rates across different sports and studies can be problematic because:

- Different studies use varying definitions of "injury"

- Data collection methods aren't standardized

- Some studies focus on competitive athletes while others include recreational participants

- Parkour research is still relatively limited compared to established sports

What does seem to be the case, is that injury rates go up along with the intensity of practice. So whether you’re playing football or practicing parkour, if you train hard and do hard things, you’ll be more likely to get hurt.

How to Practice Parkour (More) Safely

If you’re intrigued by parkour but worried about the risks, here’s how to reduce the chances of an injury:

1. Follow the Three Pillars of Safety:

   - Technical Difficulty: Is the movement within your skill level? Can you stick the landing or recover if something goes wrong?

   - Physicality Required: Do you have the strength, power, and stamina to perform the movement safely?

   - Height: Have you practiced similar movements at ground level? Does the height make you nervous? Only progress when you’re confident.

   *Pro Tip: Don’t push your limits on more than one of these pillars at a time. For example, if a jump is technically challenging, make sure it’s at a safe height.

2. Train with a Community: Learning from experienced practitioners or coaches helps you progress safely. 

3. Master the Fundamentals: Start with basic movements like rolls, landings, and precision jumps before moving on to advanced techniques.

4. Warm Up and Strength Train: Proper preparation reduces the likelihood of injuries.

5. Start Small: Begin at ground level and gradually increase height and complexity as your skills improve.

6. Listen to Your Body: Rest and recovery are just as important as training.

The Reality of Injuries

Let’s be real: no matter how carefully you train, injuries can happen. Even professional athletes with top-tier trainers get hurt. But that’s true for every physical activity, whether it’s parkour, football, or even walking on a flat sidewalk. 

The key is to accept that risk is a part of life—and to approach it with preparation, discipline, and respect for your limits.

Why You Should Try Parkour

Parkour is demanding, both physically and mentally, but its dangers are often exaggerated. The discipline thrives on preparation, calculation, and gradual growth—it’s not about recklessness. If you’re curious about parkour, start slow, train smart, and enjoy the process of discovering what your body and mind are capable of.

So go ahead—embrace the challenge. You just might surprise yourself.