Gravity
Gravity: The Ultimate Challenge Sport
Overview:
Gravity is an innovative sport that combines the obstacle-based challenges of Ninja Warrior with the fluid, efficient movement of Parkour. The aim is to create a seamless flow of movement through various obstacles, testing participants’ physical strength, agility, mental resilience, and strategic thinking.
Objective:
The main goal in Gravity is to complete a course filled with various obstacles as smoothly, quickly, and creatively as possible. Unlike Ninja Warrior, which emphasizes strict obstacle completion, or Parkour, which focuses on efficiency, Gravity rewards both flow and functionality. Participants earn points not only by completing obstacles but by showing mastery of movement, adaptability, and creativity.
Course Design and Obstacles
Dynamic Terrain
The Gravity course includes a mix of urban and natural-inspired environments: walls, rails, ropes, ledges, obstacles, and platforms. This setup demands flexibility in adapting to both grounded and aerial challenges, pulling from both Parkour’s adaptability and Ninja Warrior’s intense obstacle complexity.
Fluidity Challenge
Certain parts of the course emphasize flow and transitions, requiring smooth landings and linked movements. These sections test Parkour skills, with points awarded for fluidity and minimizing pauses.
Strength and Precision Obstacles
Inspired by Ninja Warrior, the obstacles demand strength, focus, and technical precision and reward those who can master body control, especially in upper body and grip strength, and help ensure the sport remains challenging.
Freestyle Zones
Here, participants can showcase unique skills like flips, spins, or creative ways to move over obstacles. Judged based on style and creativity, they add a freerunning element, making each performance uniquely expressive.
Scoring System
Time and Efficiency
Like Parkour, faster completion of the course earns higher scores, but penalties are given for stumbling or excessive pauses, encouraging smooth, controlled motion.
Flow and Creativity
A panel of judges scores each athlete on their ability to move fluidly from one obstacle to the next. Creative and efficient path choices earn additional points, as do unique moves in the Freestyle Zones.
Strength and Control
Certain strength-based obstacles are scored separately to reflect the importance of power and precision. Clear, controlled movements and finishing without falling earn extra points.
Endurance Bonus
Longer courses include an endurance bonus for those who finish while maintaining a steady, strong pace from start to finish. This reinforces the mental and physical stamina aspects, making it a well-rounded challenge.
Training for Gravity
Gravity demands training in multiple areas:
- Functional Strength – with an emphasis on grip, upper body, and core strength.
- Parkour Skills – to build speed, fluidity, and confidence when navigating various obstacles.
- Balance and Precision – honed on narrow surfaces and uneven terrain.
- Creativity and Adaptability – building confidence in improvising movements based on the obstacles in front of them.
- Endurance and Focus – both mental and physical endurance play critical roles, especially on longer courses.
The Spirit of Gravity
Beyond physical performance, Gravity emphasizes adaptability, creativity, and a “flow mindset,” encouraging athletes to be resourceful, overcome fear, and express themselves through movement. The ultimate aim is not just to conquer the course but to harmonize with it, making Gravity a balance of mental and physical mastery.
In Gravity, athletes not only defy physical boundaries but create a sport that unites athleticism with artistry, bringing out the best of Ninja Warrior’s endurance and strength with parkour’s efficiency and flow.
Our Recreational Training Programs (Gravity)
White
Fresh, clean slate. Ready to absorb knowledge with an open mind and willing attitude.
Begin at the beginning with a focus on safety, building strength, balance, and full body awareness while applying the fundamental movements of Parkour.
Orange
Spark of inspiration. Igniting what will soon be a bright passion for movement.
Students make the transition to more technically challenging Parkour movements, with a focus on developing the basic vaults.
Yellow
The increased light of information that only continues with practice and dedication.
Students at this level will now begin to explore more advanced Parkour vaults, and work on developing bar movements.
Green
Growth from beginner to intermediate.
Working now on smooth transitions and speed of movements, including strength-based climb ups.
Blue
Wave of increased knowledge in the athlete’s understanding.
Students at this level Advanced Parkour movements are introduced to basic flips and tricks utilized in Freerunning.
Red
Signifies the strength of physical abilities as the student moves towards mastery of movements.
Students will begin to expand their movement vocabulary by integrating new movements including more advanced somersaults and tricks.
Purple
Signifies “Dawn” as the student transitions from intermediate to advanced.
Having mastered the principles of safety and presence, purple level students dedicate themselves to the most advanced Freerunning skills, identifying their “lines” and executing competition level runs with high levels of difficulty, flow and creativity.
Black
The search for more profound skills and self-mastery, with the goal of embodying the Parkour motto, “Be Strong to Be Useful”.
Students accomplish competition level movements as well as an understanding of how to link those movements to a high level of competency.
© WFPF Parkour Academy