Lache Movement Co. has classes in parkour, trampoline, pole fitness, trapeze and other aerial arts, such as lyra and silks.
“We recognize the power it has for someone to really figure out what their body can do because most humans don’t really use their body,” co-owner Allison “Sonnie” Boyson said. “It’s important for us that anybody can come and try it and then excel if they want to.”
Co-owner Dmitri Gonzalez, who has been doing parkour for 13 years, said he wanted to open his own gym focused on parkour. Then he met Boyson, who has experience in pole fitness and lyra, an aerial metal hoop often seen in Cirque du Soleil. The duo paired their interests and in 2017 opened Lache Movement Co. to offer different fitness options than traditional sports.
“Both of us had different paths toward really appreciating this concept of movement that gives you courage, and there’s plenty of growth, but it’s not competition-based or score-based, and you’re not going to have someone yelling at you,” Boyson said.
The gym’s parkour classes teaches students how to land and jump as well as fall without injuring themselves.
“In parkour there’s a lot of plyometrics and swinging, but it’s a lot of body awareness and where you are in space and how far you are from the ground and how you react when you hit something,” Gonzalez said.
Although he has been injured doing parkour, Gonzalez said his biggest injury was while riding a bicycle when he broke his arm and required surgery.
“It’s kind of a joke when parents ask, ‘Isn’t parkour dangerous?’” he said.
Besides classes and an open gym, Lache Movement Co. hosts private parties and team-building events.
The two owners said anyone interested in trying out a new class just needs to bring an open mind and willingness to learning something new.
“You don’t get stronger to join a parkour class,” Gonzalez said. “You get stronger by joining a parkour class and practicing.”
Lache Movement Co.
8868 Research Blvd., Austin
512-662-1483
www.lachemove.com
Hours (open gym): Mon.-Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
