Reclaiming Movement: How Parkour is Empowering Older Adults to Move With Confidence

Parkour, known for its dynamic and often extreme maneuvers in urban environments, is being reimagined to boost physical resilience and confidence among older adults. This innovative approach not only enhances physical capabilities but also fosters community and fun. Below is a recap of the webinar Reclaiming Movement: How Parkour is Empowering Older Adults to Move With Confidence held on July 15th, 2025.

Discovering Parkour for Older Adults

Parkour for older adults introduces an exciting movement class that's breaking new ground. Coaches Erin, Susan, Darcy, and Shelby have embraced a mission to incorporate creative movement techniques inspired by parkour, catering specifically to the older population. Far from the high-risk leaps and vaults that might first come to mind, this version of parkour focuses on safe, playful navigation through everyday environments, promoting fall resilience. As Erin shares, the motivation to teach these skills comes from witnessing the invigorating shift from traditional exercise regimes to something more engaging. Instead of the typical chair exercises and fall prevention programs—which often stress on avoiding falls—this program empowers seniors with the skills to navigate different scenarios with confidence.

Parkour for Older Adults Webinar with Coaches Erin Eleuterio, Shelby Copeland, Susan Frikken, and Darci Olsen

The Journey to Teaching Parkour

The journey began in 2022 when Susan and Darcy encountered a unique opportunity to learn parkour adaptations for older adults. What started as curiosity quickly turned into commitment. Together, they trained and began classes, not at a specialized gym but in accessible community spaces like colleges and parks, integrating students into the experience. Shelby, another pioneer in this movement, echoes the excitement upon discovering older adults joyfully engaging with these new practices. Working as a personal trainer, this experience has expanded her coaching repertoire and allowed her to connect with older adults in profound and enriching ways.

What Makes This Movement Approach Unique?

One of the critical aspects of this program is its emphasis on using the environment creatively. Instead of specialized equipment, ordinary objects like chairs, picnic tables, and walls become tools for movement, turning mundane spaces into adventurous playgrounds. This approach teaches participants to problem-solving physical challenges creatively—much like a child playing a game of "the floor is lava." Core movements such as vaulting, catch falls, and pulling are adapted to each participant’s ability level. Erin highlights how these movements have been tailored for senior living residents, from those using wheelchairs to those more physically agile.

Building a Community Through Movement

A hallmark of this program is the strong community it builds. Each session typically starts with a circle, creating a space for participants to share how they're feeling and to connect socially. These classes are not just about physical exercise; they promote a sense of belonging and mutual support. The coaches emphasize the importance of creating a space where individuals can safely push their limits. From creative ways to spot each other to sharing personal breakthroughs, this community supports learning and growth.

Inclusivity and Adaptations: Meeting Participants Where They Are

The instructors prioritize inclusivity and have designed the program to be adaptable. Participants are encouraged to engage with exercises at their personal comfort levels, with options to accommodate varying physical abilities. This flexibility is crucial in encouraging seniors to overcome fear and embrace movement, ultimately leading to improved confidence and health.

Encouraging a Parkour Mindset

The parkour mindset is about more than just movement—it’s about self-awareness, creativity, and playful engagement with the environment. Participants are taught to take personal responsibility for their actions, performing risk assessments, and celebrating individual expression in movement. The practice is non-competitive, fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.

Bringing Parkour to Your Community

For those looking to inspire older adults to stay active, bringing parkour into the community could be a game-changer. While the program intersects physical challenge with imaginative play, its true success lies in the enriched lives of the participants. Encouraging exercise as play and community-building, it's an excellent way for older adults to improve their physical resilience, have fun, and foster relationships. Whether it's in a parks and recreation setting or a senior living community, finding partners to support this endeavor can broaden its impact. Coaches and trainers interested in making a difference in the lives of older adults can consider this innovative approach to promote health and happiness.

Check out these links for low-cost and free resources to learn more about parkour movement skills: 

• YouTube Vaulting Masterclass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpcKZ1m3Mxw

• Tons of great video training resources: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkourGenerations

• Even more excellent tutorial videos from Parkour Visions: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkourVisions

• PKLG app and movement library. This app allows you to input ideas of what is in your environment and put together a movement line. https://www.pklg.org/

• If you want to learn more parkour adjacent movements and deepen your understanding of human movement patterns in a systematic way, check out a MovNat Certification: https://movnat.com/certification/

• If you want to take a deeper dive into parkour specific movements and coaching philosophy, check out ADAPT. https://adaptqualifications.com/

About the Presenters

Susan Frikken: My goal is to incorporate arts and nature into therapeutic practice, helping to change the way of health and wellness care in our country. I have been a physical therapist in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin since 2013 and a massage therapist since 1993. Since 2014 I have gotten to shepherd Ballroom Basics for Balance, a fun way to practice balance and falls resiliency through the basics of dance.  I’m honored to have been adjunct faculty and guest lecturer at UW for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Also, I’m a proud member of the Falls Free Dane, a coalition of Safe Communities, which builds partnerships with people and organizations, collaborating to reduce older adult injury and complications from falls.  I’m a certified facilitator of Stepping On, an evidence-based falls reduction program. Proudly, I am a founding member of the Madison Area Wellness Collective, connecting practitioners and community. Since 2023, I’ve had the extremely joyful opportunity to co-coach Parkour Senior.  Originally from metro Detroit, I live in Madison with my wife and animals.

Darcie Olson, Ph.D., OTR, is a retired occupational therapist with a lifelong passion for working with older adults. She holds a BS in Occupational Therapy from UW–Madison, a Master of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis, and a Ph.D. from UW–Milwaukee. Over her 40-year career, she specialized in outpatient care, hand therapy, and workplace ergonomics before transitioning to teaching. For more than 25 years, she educated OT and OTA students with a focus on physical rehabilitation and geriatrics. Darcie is actively involved in Ballroom Basics for Balance™ and Parkour Seniors. She volunteers with Falls Free Dane, AgeBetterToday’s home safety program, and the AARP CarFit initiative.

Shelby Copeland is a NASM-certified personal trainer and MovNat Level 2 instructor based in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the founder of Force of Nature Movement and leads movement classes for people of all ages, with a focus on playfulness, exploration, and trying new skills. Shelby has trained in a wide variety of movement disciplines and is passionate about helping others discover their confidence and creativity through movement.

Erin Eleuterio is a health and fitness professional committed to improving the lives of older adults through movement. She teaches parkour-based fall resilience classes in senior living communities and a local senior center and holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Erin is the founder of the Second Act Fit Pros podcast and community, which highlights innovative professionals who are helping adults over 50 thrive through physical activity, connection, and improved health.