Comfortable athletic clothes that allow a full range of motion. Leggings, athletic shorts, or sweatpants all work fine. Avoid jeans or anything restrictive. Layers are fine in cooler weather — you'll warm up fast.
Shoes matter more than most parents expect. We recommend lightweight, flexible sneakers with a flat sole — think running shoes or cross-trainers, not basketball shoes or boots. The goal is grip and feel, not cushioning. Many experienced parkour athletes eventually prefer minimalist shoes, but any athletic sneaker works for a first class. Avoid sandals, Crocs, or anything without a secure heel.
No jewelry. Hair tied back for longer hair. That's it. No special equipment needed — Bolt provides everything else.
Water bottle. Everything else is provided. Our facility has padded floors, all the equipment your child will need, and a waiting area for parents who want to watch. There's no need to bring a mat, gloves, or any gear — we have everything set up before class starts.
The first 10 minutes are a warm-up — movement games, light stretching, and a chance for the coach to observe how students move naturally. No one is put on the spot. The warm-up is designed to be fun and to help new students feel comfortable before anything technical starts.
The bulk of class focuses on 2–3 foundational skills at ground level. For new students, this typically means balance work, basic vaulting technique, and precision landing drills. Nobody does anything scary on day one. The point isn't to impress anyone — it's to start building the movement vocabulary that everything else builds on.
The last few minutes are usually a short flow — students string together what they've learned in a mini obstacle course. It's the most fun part, and it gives kids a taste of what parkour actually feels like as a connected practice rather than a series of isolated drills.
You're welcome to watch from our parent viewing area. Some kids do better when parents aren't visible, especially younger ones who may want to perform for you rather than focus on the coach. Use your judgment — coaches can let you know if it would help your child to have you step back.
Your child will probably be sore in muscles they didn't know they had. Forearms, calves, and inner thighs are common spots. That's normal and a good sign — it means they used their body in new ways. The soreness usually fades after the first two or three classes as their body adapts.
Most kids who walk in nervous walk out wanting to come back. The coaches at Bolt are experienced with first-timers and will meet your child where they are. Nobody is pushed to do anything they're not ready for.
If your child is particularly anxious, let the front desk know before class. We can make sure they're paired with a coach who's great with newer or shyer students. We've had kids who stood against the wall for the first 20 minutes of their first class and were jumping off boxes by the end of week three. Every student has their own timeline.
Most families decide within the first class whether parkour is a fit. If it is, enrollment is easy — you can sign up directly through the portal for ongoing weekly classes. If your child wants to try one more session before committing, that's fine too. We'd rather have you enroll when you're confident it's right than sign up out of obligation and drop out a month later.
Ready to book? View our current class schedule and enroll directly through the portal. First class is a trial — no commitment required.
View the schedule and enroll directly — no phone call needed.
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