Parkour indoor training builds confidence—but taking those skills outdoors requires awareness, adaptation, and some courage. 

Parkour is a very unique discipline. Unlike other sports, parkour is more about combining flow, athleticism, and the ability to adapt to the environment. Athletes curious to begin their journey in parkour will start indoors. In places like gymnastic studios and training facilities, athletes will learn the basic moves of parkour in a safer environment and improve their level of fitness and technique.
However, at some point, every athlete will have to make the transition to the streets. No more controlled spaces, and letting the unpredictability of the urban landscape take the big stage.
We spoke with several experts in the parkour industry, and they told us more about this transition, what it means for an athlete, and how you can do it more safely. 

Start with Mastery, Not Just Repetition 

Just like any other sport, big improvements will appear at the very beginning, and later as you progress, improving will take time and effort. According to Davide Rizzi, a professional athlete from the parkour team KRAP in Italy, many beginners will notice early on which areas they are good at and try to repeat the same movement over and over again. He thinks this is a mistake. “Beginners need to master each basic skill before they focus solely on one,” he said. 

In controlled environments like a gymnastic facility, and with the support of landing airbags, you have the opportunity to train your body for every situation. You need to prepare yourself for every scenario, not only the one where you know the movement because of repetition at the same spot. 

Lukas Steiner, coach at the 4 Elements Academy in Austria, also agrees. “Parkour is not just about one movement in a perfect spot. It’s about applying what you know in the outside world.” 

Indoor Tools Build Confidence—But Know Their Limits 

 One of the best tools for building early confidence is an airbag. “Airbags are perfect for beginners,” Lukas said. Bagjump airbags are specifically designed to adapt the level of softness to your skill level. This means an athlete can decide how soft or how hard they want their landing during practice. 

This is a great option for beginners trying to transition from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment, but also expert athletes trying new and riskier movements. Using airbags the right way means understanding their role in the learning process. Airbags are there to give you the freedom to fail without serious consequences. But they shouldn’t be the limit you set for yourself. “We get some athletes who get afraid of transitioning to the hard ground,” said Lukas. “At the same time, having an airbag is a game changer for an athlete who wants to develop their skills.” 

Adaptation is Key 

According to Davide, a true parkour athlete is one who can adapt to every environment. It is not about performing perfectly at the gym, but about the ability to take on different angles, surfaces, and unpredictable situations. It’s about being aware of your surroundings and keeping your athletic level intact. 

Indoor spaces give you a clean and predictable takeoff and landing. Outdoor areas rarely do that. To bridge this gap, Lukas recommends making a transition plan once you are feeling too comfortable on the airbag. “Start with the airbag, then move slowly to foam mats, and then finally transition to the hard ground,” he said. 

Know When You’re Ready 

It takes self-awareness to understand when you are ready to move to the street. It will also require good mental support and feeling ready for that step. Don’t rush a move just because another athlete is progressing faster, or because you want to prove your skills on social media. Ask yourself: Am I in full control? Have I tested this skill enough at the gym? If the landing fails, how can I try to prevent an injury? 

It is natural to feel more scared when you try a new skill outdoors for the first time. However, with the right preparation, it should be a very smooth transition that will give you more confidence and affirm your progress. 

The Path to Specialization 

As athletes progress, they often begin to find their identity in specific types of movements and styles. According to Davide, this is the time to return to the gym, develop further, and go back to the streets. The more you understand parkour, the more you find the balance between training indoors with an airbag and outdoors on hard ground. 

Davide was also clear about mastering your skills. “This shift towards specialization does not happen at the beginning. It is the result of trying everything, building a solid foundation, and eventually recognizing your strengths.” 

We would even say: Training indoors lets you experiment safely. Training outdoors lets you define your path. 

Develop Your Skills, But Don’t Rush It 

Indoor and outdoor parkour both have their place in the sport for athletes at any level. One teaches technique, the other teaches awareness. The transition between them is not a milestone—it’s a process. 

Bagjump has been developing the most advanced airbags on the market to help athletes feel more comfortable at any stage of their progress. Gymnastic studios like 4 Elements Academy understand the value of having a Bagjump in their facility, and they are perfect places to learn and develop your skills. Remember, it’s not about doing the most impressive move. It’s about doing it when, where, and how you’re truly ready.