The parkour books most worth reading are Julie Angel’s Breaking the Jump for the story of how parkour began, Dan Edwardes’s The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook for illustrated technique, and Ryan Ford and Ben Musholt’s Parkour Strength Training for the conditioning behind the moves. Add Vincent Thibault’s Parkour and the Art du Déplacement if you’re curious about the philosophy. Books won’t replace coaching, but they make a thoughtful gift for anyone who trains.
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We haven’t reviewed these books ourselves. The descriptions draw on publishers, booksellers and the World Freerunning and Parkour Federation’s list of must-read parkour books, which includes most of the titles below.
History and Philosophy
Breaking the Jump by Julie Angel
Who it suits: anyone curious about where parkour came from. Published by Aurum in 2016 and running to 304 pages, according to Blackwell’s, it follows parkour from the streets and rooftops of Paris to London and New York, and profiles the early practitioners who trained at night. If you enjoyed our parkour documentaries list, start here.
Parkour and the Art du Déplacement by Vincent Thibault
Who it suits: a reader who wants the ideas behind the movement. Baraka Books describes it as a philosophical look at the practice rather than a how-to manual, covering themes such as fear, effort, courage and community. It’s 160 pages, translated by Casey Roberts, with a foreword by Dan Edwardes.
The Parkour Roadmap by Max Henry
Who it suits: both newcomers and experienced traceurs. The WFPF describes it as covering parkour’s history, society and technique, drawing on top athletes and coaches.
Technique
The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook by Dan Edwardes
Who it suits: a beginner who likes to learn from a book as well as in class. HarperCollins published this illustrated guide in 2009. It covers technique, philosophy and culture, and teaches skills step by step. Edwardes is associated with Parkour Generations, one of the best-known parkour coaching organisations.
The Ultimate Parkour & Freerunning Book by Ilona E. Gerling
Who it suits: a visual learner. The WFPF notes its diagrams and step-by-step breakdowns of basic techniques, along with indoor and outdoor workouts and background theory.
Strength and Conditioning
Parkour Strength Training by Ryan Ford and Ben Musholt
Who it suits: a traceur who wants to get stronger for the moves they already do. The WFPF calls it a beginner-friendly guide to drills, training principles and programming. A review on Obstacle Racing Media notes that it breaks down parkour movements, then gives photographed exercises for the key muscle groups and the mobility those movements need. It’s built to develop strength, not to teach the moves themselves.
Overcoming Gravity by Steven Low
Who it suits: someone who wants to plan their own bodyweight training. Subtitled A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength, it focuses on programming, goal setting and building plans to reach those goals, according to the WFPF. It’s detailed, so it suits a committed reader more than a casual one. For a shorter introduction, see our article on whether weight training helps parkour.
Mindset
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Who it suits: a reader who likes the mental side of parkour. It isn’t about parkour at all. The WFPF includes it as a self-help book that uses Stoic philosophy and historical examples to show how adversity can be turned into an advantage, which fits parkour’s habit of treating obstacles as something to work with. Our guide to overcoming fear in parkour covers the practical side.
What to Check Before You Buy
- The edition. Several of these have more than one edition or format, so check you’re getting the one you want.
- Paperback or Kindle. Illustrated technique books are easier to follow in print.
- The reader. A history or philosophy book suits someone who loves the culture. A training book suits someone who wants a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you learn parkour from a book?
You can learn a lot about technique, conditioning and how to progress, but not the feel of a movement. Use a book alongside practice, and a coach if you can. Our guide on how long it takes to learn parkour explains what to expect.
Which book should a beginner read first?
For technique, The Parkour and Freerunning Handbook. For the story behind the sport, Breaking the Jump.
Where to Go Next
For more gift ideas, see Gifts for Parkour Lovers. For the history in brief, read Parkour vs. Freerunning: The Real History Behind the Split.
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