The Allegiant-Style Workout That Turns the City Into Your Gym

In the world of dystopian young-adult fiction, Veronica Roth’s Divergent series stands out for one reason: The Dauntless faction, joined by Tris Prior, portrayed by actress Shailene Woodley in the films. Filled with tattooed daredevils who cavort across Chicago, the group’s freewheeling movements—shimmying up steel beams onto the El tracks, cat-clawing their way into the train car, then leaping and rolling off onto rooftops—can only be described as post-apocalyptic parkour.

In real-world New York City, by the East River Park Amphitheater, more than a dozen men and women gather to hone similar skills each week: New York Parkour, the longest-running community in the U.S. to practice the fluid, obstacle-clearing art form that originated in France. Or, put another way, a training style that turns the cityscape into your personal gym.

Mainstream interest in the once-obscure practice can be traced back to 2006’s Casino Royale, which featured a memorable chase scene by free-runner Sébastien Foucan and sparked a wave of parkour-influenced moments in pop culture, from The Avengers to video game Mirror’s Edge and, of course, Divergent, whose third installment, Allegiant, premieres this weekend.

Vaulting your way across the city is a full-body workout that seems destined to find a strong foothold among fitness enthusiasts, and though the elaborate maneuvers may appear impossibly difficult, New York Parkour founder Exo tells me it’s more approachable than it appears. “Parkour was about building with what you had to be strong, to be useful,” he explains. “If your family is in danger, can you save them? If you’re being chased, can you get away—are you strong enough? That was the whole point.” It’s that mentality that appeals to the new wave of fitness fans, who, inspired by these films, are seeking out parkour in growing numbers.

On a Thursday night, I meet Exo at Hudson River Park for a quick traceur lesson by the stone running paths. “The beautiful thing about parkour is everything can build from something,” he says, easing out of his leather jacket and swinging his arms to warm up. “You start small—jump one step, then two, then up to six—and you get stronger!” We begin with a simple move: A 360 under-bar, in which I grip a cold metal railing with both hands and twist my body underneath with ease. Next, I create a basic combo by hoisting my right leg over the bar and flipping my hip across, before using the momentum to swing back below. Though the movements themselves are uncomplicated, after just five repetitions, my arms feel sore (different muscles are being worked, which Exo tells me is common), and I notice small things my body fails to do—the placement of a foot or shifting of weight. “With time, you develop leg strength, sure, but you also develop an acute awareness of your connection to your body,” Exo says.

Next, we head to a row of picnic tables, which serve as rudimentary jumping boxes, to try the Monkey-Up. After I place both hands squarely on the bench, Exo tells me to push up with my hands and leap upward in one solid motion, landing where my hands had started. It is impossible—I can’t even attempt it from fear. “Listen to that voice!” Exo says, laughing at my frozen expression. “It’s how you keep from getting hurt.”

Instead, I mimic the pattern along the pavement, a series of forward-leaping squats that work deep into my quads and calves. What I’m doing is straightforward, and yet the physical and mental exertion is incredible—the kind of challenge that comes through in boxing or other martial arts, bringing inner focus and fulfillment. Watching Exo jump onto the tabletop with ease, his legs lightly lifted in the air, would motivate anyone to keep working at it—though it would take six days a week, three to five hours a day, to see those results.

It’s clear why New York Parkour believes in its work—and why, after 10 years of experimenting with different teaching methods, the group plans to expand its reach this season with additional classes and a new roster of teachers to hit a wider audience. “It’s more than just showmanship or ‘Oh, I can do a flip,’” Exo explains. “There is such a deep, soul-stirring gratification from practicing the art—physically, mentally, and spiritually.”

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