Training Centre
Below is a list of various things found in the Monkey Vault Training Centre. All obstacles were put in place very specifically, and they all connect to make one giant route throughout the gym. We call this the 'medicine route'. Don't ask why. Obstacles and goals are usually broken up into areas like below; to be worked on separately to enhance the greater goal. Obviously though, words do not do the training centre or obstacles justice. You will have to come experience the atmosphere of playing here, to really understand the spirit behind this place.
Gymnastics Floor
2 layers of plywood, 1500 glued on polyethylene spring blocks, 4 rolls of 2-inch thick gymnastic carpeting, and 3 days of fun work! The floor turned out great and is big enough to do light tumbling, and springy enough to take a fall without it feeling like concrete. This area of the training centre also has blocks, mats and other objects to move around and use.
Foam Pit
Sitting 5 feet deep, the foam pit is our most popular 'obstacle' in the gym. We use it to precision jump, warm-up, vault into, teach people flips and spins, and for all kids workshops and parties. We dug it out by hand and this was the biggest and hardest project in this training centre. It turned out great and it was well worth the effort.
Catleap Corner
Hidden in the back from when you first walk into the gym, Catleap Corner is filled with different level boxes drilled into the wall along with some grips above them. Catleaps, climbups, tictacs, dynos, grip work, and more are all done in this area. It is also the beginning, or end, of the mega-route throughout the gym and very taxing on your hands.
Rock Wall
Since bouldering shares a lot of similarities with Parkour, it was a no-brainer to build a rock wall. The wall has 6 faces, all with different slopes. No running shoes are permitted on the wall, but for those that don't have climbing shoes and still want the benefits of climbing, we have created a special 'hands-only' route. We suggest buying a pair of climbing shoes to take full advantage of the wall.
Strength and Conditioning Area
No machines in here, just the bare essentials. 2 squat racks, a glute-ham bench, dip station, pull-up bar, kettlebells, medicine balls, ropes, bands and more. The brunt of our Parkour conditioning program is done in this area. Although 'body weight' training is very popular amongst Parkour practitioners, we see strength training with weights as a superior method to enhance your Parkour.
Wall Climb Markers
Along the left hand wall of the training centre, we have the main focus of our big route. Placed along the wall are several planks of wood with different level heights to them, and 'bricks of wood' that run up the side of the stairs. The levels start at 8 feet for beginners, and run all the way up to 12'6 which is very tough to get. Before you claim to have a 15 foot wall climb on a forum, come pay us a visit first.
Beam and Bar
The beam and muscle up bar area is slowly becoming a favourite around the training centre. The muscle-up bar is the beginning, or end, of the main route and leads along to the ladder, beam, underbar area and finger grip board. For those that are afraid of heights, spending 10 mins up ontop of the bar will work your way to conquering that fear. The beam is 4.5inches wide, and is suspended 9 feet in the air.
Workout Board
This board is used when there is a special event, or during the weekend PKTO meets. It is also used in some classes and workshops. The board on the left has the workout of the day that is to be completed. The board on the right contains peoples times as they finish it, amount they finished, or where they gave up. All workouts are logged and stored for future use in order to see if the athlete has improved.
The Green Room
The Green Room aka 'Do Not Climb' Room, is just a lounge built at the front of the training centre overlooking the gymnastics floor. It contains an lcd tv, ps3, surround sound system and a bunch of games/inspirational movies. NOTE: In order to go up there and play/watch a movie, you MUST complete a workout. If you come to the training centre just to play video games, you will be blacklisted.
