Running free: 4 fun parkour spots to try in Dubai

Delving into the UAE’s offbeat world of parkour…

You’ve probably seen them in dozens of action films swinging effortlessly from scaffolding, launching themselves off absurdly high concrete walls and doing flips off rooftops – welcome to the world of parkour. If you, or your little ones, would like to practice the art form of running, climbing, vaulting, leaping and generally covering ground in an active – and often spectacular – fashion without tasting concrete, here’s where you need to go…

XPark by Etisalat

Until recently, this concrete playground – located steps away from Kite Beach – has been the sole haven for the UAE’s skateboarding and scooter community. Now they’re sharing the space with parkour enthusiasts, with the quiet opening of a new urban playground. Here traceurs can explore the Path of Discovery, challenging themselves on the parkour loop, scaling new heights at the 20-foot climbing tower, or conquering the bouldering area safely with soft-fall. 

XPark by Etisalat, Kite Beach, Mon to Fri 2.30pm to 9.30pm, Sat and Sun 8am to 9.30pm, Dhs75. xdubai.com

Parkour DXB

With three state-of-the-art training centres around Dubai, Parkour DXB is the original and largest parkour academy in the Middle East. The lovely team is passionate about promoting the art and discipline of parkour in a safe and inclusive environment. With branches in Al Quoz, JVC, and Port Rashid, Parkour DXB offers classes, workshops, and specialised training for participants of all ages and skill levels. The expert coaches provide guidance and support to help individuals develop physical fitness, movement skills, creativity, and self-confidence through the practice of parkour. They also run fantastic summer camps for kids.

Various locations across Dubai. Tel: (800) 727 5687. parkour.ae

Pinpoint Fitness

Leap, dive and expertly fall into a future as a parkour expert at Pinpoint Fitness. With locations across town, including Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches and Al Furjan Pavilion, trainers offer structured children and adult parkour and obstacle training classes. During each class, students are guided through various obstacle courses and physical challenges as the coach teaches newbies the acrobatics needed to scale walls, as well as jumping, balancing and climbing techniques involved. Classes are open to four-year-olds and up.

Various locations across Dubai. Tel: (0)50 894 3194. pinpointfitness.net

Bounce X

Self-proclaimed as the world’s first freestyle terrain park, Bounce X at Festival City Mall is a 5,000 sqm attraction that takes the best bits from existing Bounce parks in Dubai, and connects them with other exciting parkour elements. Designed by Australian parkour athlete Sam Carter, the landscape at Bounce X features floating obstacles, slacklines, balance beams, circular trampolines, and sky-high stepping stones. While there are no structured coaching sessions, Bounce X is a great place for adults and children to practice independently.

Bounce X, Dubai Festival City Mall, Mon to Thur 11am to 10pm, Fri 11am to midnight, Sat 10am to midnight, Sun 10am to 10pm, Dhs90. Tel: (0)4 304 9333. bounce.ae

Images: Social and supplied