Retirees in Singapore are increasingly turning to parkour to stay strong and independent, with instructors emphasizing that learning to fall safely is just as important as mastering obstacles.
Parkour is usually associated with young people, adrenaline, and spectacular jumps from tall buildings, but in Singapore, this extremely demanding discipline is increasingly being practiced by retirees. Through climbing, jumping over, and overcoming urban obstacles, they aim to preserve strength, mobility, and quality of daily life.
Among the participants is Betty Boon, who is nearly 70 years old. She told Net.hr how parkour has brought her a new level of independence. "Now I carry my own suitcases and luggage. I do everything myself. Before, I used to ask my son and husband to carry my bags, but now I do it myself," Boon said.
No special equipment or gyms are needed for training. Stairs, railings, and other obstacles found in everyday environments are used, and exercises include running, climbing, and jumping. It is precisely this accessibility that makes the program attractive to older adults who want to stay active without going to specialized centers.
Patrick Goh, another participant, emphasizes that age is not a barrier to intense exercise. "If you're in your sixties and still want to exercise intensely, I think parkour is great. You train in a fun way, and safety is part of the training. We look out for each other," Goh said.
Although parkour sounds like a dangerous sport unsuitable for older adults, it is precisely this perception that instructors want to change. Tan Shie Boon, a parkour instructor and founder of the Movement Singapore program, explains that learning to fall properly is a key part of the training. "Parkour is a very intense discipline. You train your whole body, develop spatial awareness and reaction speed, and you constantly fall. If you make a mistake on a jump, you will fall. But when you fall, you learn how to fall better next time. It's a very practical discipline," he explained.
Such programs fit into broader efforts to keep older adults as active and independent as possible, especially given Singapore's demographic profile. More than a fifth of the city-state's population is over 65, which encourages the development of innovative approaches to maintaining health and functionality in later life. Parkour training, with its emphasis on safety and mutual support, has proven to be one way to achieve that goal.
