What are the key considerations in designing, constructing, and sustaining inspiring gym spaces that foster exploration and play?

Andy Taylor discusses the intricacies of designing and building a great parkour gym. Along the way, we talk about what makes a gym inspiring, the evolution of build standards that are safe without limiting parkour vision, and how parkour has been instrumental in the development of a young autistic girl.

“When I sit down to design a gym, I try to call to the inner child that is in us that makes us wanna play.” ~ Andy Taylor (1:30)

This conversation deconstructs the intricacies of designing gym spaces that inspire creativity and exploration. Topics include the importance of tapping into a child-like desire to play, using thoughtful design to increase engagement, and ensuring safety without stifling creativity. Practical examples are shared, such as integrating features that naturally draw attention and encourage varied movements.

The discussion also touches on challenges unique to parkour gyms, such as meeting building codes, balancing budgets, and navigating regulatory hurdles. Andy and Craig explore how gym designs can range from expansive, multi-use facilities to smaller, community-oriented spaces. They emphasize the need for better standards and guidelines to support gym builders in creating safe yet imaginative environments.

Takeaways

Designing for play — Gym spaces should inspire a child-like desire to explore and interact.

Balancing aesthetics and utility — Effective gym design combines visual appeal with practical use.

Safety through design — Safety features must be thoughtfully integrated to minimize risk without diminishing creativity.

Regulatory challenges — Parkour gyms face unique obstacles with inconsistent building codes and standards.

Scale considerations — Smaller gyms provide intimacy, while larger facilities require diversification for sustainability.

Importance of standards — Developing shared guidelines for construction and safety is crucial for the parkour community.

Encouraging creativity — Well-designed spaces enable a wide range of movements and inspire new possibilities.

Support for new builders — Mentorship and resources are vital for those new to gym construction.

Inclusivity in design — Gym spaces can support diverse users, including those with special needs.

Resources

TeachBuildPlay Facebook Page — Andy’s platform for sharing ideas and connecting with the community.

Google SketchUp — A tool used for designing and modeling gym spaces.

Tempest Freerunning Academy — An example of a large, well-known parkour gym.

SCORE — A resource mentioned as a helpful guide for entrepreneurs navigating business challenges.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

---

— Hello👋 I’m Craig Constantine.

In the Movers Mindset podcast, I talk with movement enthusiasts to learn who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I’m interested in the nature and philosophy of movement and in exploring themes like independence, self-direction, and human excellence. My interests color each conversation and provide some structure to Movers Mindset. But since I like to take the scenic route, every conversation ends up going somewhere unique.

The purpose of Movers Mindset is to create and share great conversations with movement enthusiasts. Each conversation feeds my insatiable curiosity, but I share them to turn on a light for someone else, to inspire them, or to give them their next question.

I appreciate your time and attention, and I don’t take it for granted.

— Thank you!

My personal mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. And Movers Mindset is one of the things I do in service of my mission. Drop by https://craigconstantine.com/ for my weekly email, my other podcasts, writing and more.

The Movers Mindset project grew from conversations I started having as part of my personal journey rediscovering movement. The project started late in 2015, and it was initially simply a web site that shared others’ writing. The project grew, and in 2017 I started the podcast. I’ve worked extremely hard, but none of this would have been possible without so much help from so many people.

Thanks for listening!

ɕ