About charles

Charles is the co-founder and co-owner of the Rochester Parkour Gym - the first Parkour training facility in New York State. He holds a degree in Exercise Science and Fine Art from RIT and has worked as a personal trainer, strength coach, and Parkour instructor for almost a decade.

Weekly Curriculum – Feb 3 to 10

Final reminder for all students, Acro class has officially moved to Tuesdays 7-8pm and Time Trials has moved to Mondays 8-9pm. Is there a class idea that you have that you think we should consider adding to our weekly schedule? Let us know!

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Level 2 is Turn Swing circuits. Get those callouses prepped!
  • Tonight’s Acro class focus is Side Flips
  • Wednesday’s Movement Circuits is a Level Changes focus. If it’s anywhere similar to as fun as Monday’s was, then you’re in for a treat!
  • Thursday’s Level 2 is a kong class like you’ve never experienced before! No for real, we’ve never done this. I’m so pumped!
  • Saturday’s Level 1 is Pop Vaults. These are the foundations of Kongs, so if you want to learn how to best prepare for those, this is a great class for it.
  • Sunday’s Strength is ISO-Sore Day!

See you in the gym!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Footwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Time Trials: Fast Paced Weaving
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Turn Swings
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Side Flips
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Level changes
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Bracchiation
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Contralateral Vaults
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Kongs!
  • 7pm Strength: Max Rep Day
  • 8pm Mobility: Full Body Rolling
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Bilateral Vaults
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Vertical Jumps – Tacs and Plyos
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Tacs
  • 2pm Strength: ISO-Sore Day
  • 3pm Mobility: Long Holds
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Vaults
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Side/Front Flips
By |2020-02-04T17:24:16-05:00February 4th, 2020|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Feb 3 to 10

Weekly Curriculum – Jan 27 to Feb 3

Late post…Augh!! Reminder for all, this week is the final week to jump onto our Loyalty Program before prices increase on Feb 1st. If you already have a membership, there’s nothing else you need to do. If you’re not on membership, you have to Friday to start one to get jumped into the RocPK Select discount tier.

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tuesday was backflips. I know… WAS backflips. Sorry again for this late post!
  • Wednesday’s Level 1 is Lazy Vaults. Gonna be a lot of bar movement.
  • Thursday’s Level 2 is back to Wall Passes. Full progression work up with a focus on getting height, less focus on climb ups.
  • Saturday’s Level 2 is Acro Vaulting. Which ones? You’ll see 🙂
  • Sunday’s Level 1 is Pop Vaults. Get dynamic!

Let’s get to it!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Add On
  • 8pm Time Trials: Slaloms
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Tacs
  • 7pm Level 2 Acro: Backflips
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Level changes
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Lazy Vaults
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Traveling Step Vaults
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Wall Passes
  • 7pm Strength: Strength Circuits
  • 8pm Mobility: Shoulder Focus
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Underbars
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Acro Vaults
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Pop Vaults
  • 2pm Strength: Volume Circuits
  • 3pm Mobility: Neglected Joint Focus
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Footwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Time Trials: Fast Paced Weaving
By |2020-01-29T11:51:21-05:00January 29th, 2020|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Jan 27 to Feb 3

Weekly Curriculum – Jan 20 to 27

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE!!!

Acro class will be switching with our Time Trials class. Instructor Will has an unfortunate scheduling conflict starting on Mondays this semester. We apologize for whatever inconvenience this may have on your normal schedule.

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Acro class will be taught by Josh and is centered on crazy rolling
  • Tuesday’s Time Trial’s isn’t necessarily lava themed, but true to form, as time goes on, more and more lava may be finding its way into the gym…
  • Wednesday’s Level 1 is climbing focused. This is typically a nice low-impact option for those that want that
  • Thursday’s Level 2 is one of my favorite skills! Underbars! We’re going to freakin’ fly!!!!
  • Saturday’s Level 2 is Bar Swings. Go be a monkey
  • Sunday’s Mobility is going to incorporate sliders. You know, those things I force you to use in Strength sometimes that makes you wonder why you go to that class. But for real, it’ll be amazing 😛

I still think I want that Front Bar Cage to go away… I’m just still not sure what I want to do with it yet. Ideas? Let me know!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Constant Motion
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Acro Rolling
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Creative Challenges
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Open Format
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Vaulting
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Static Climbing
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Traveling Step Vaults
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Bar Dynamics – Underbars
  • 7pm Strength: Power Exercises
  • 8pm Mobility: Hip Focus
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Acro Vaults
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Bar Swings
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Horizontal Jumping
  • 2pm Strength: 5 x 5 x 5
  • 3pm Mobility: Slider Activations
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Add-On
  • 8pm Level 2 Time Trials: Slaloms ***SCHEDULE CHANGE***
By |2020-01-20T13:59:03-05:00January 20th, 2020|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Jan 20 to 27

Weekly Curriculum – Jan 13 to 20

Triple digit people walked through our doors yesterday for the Grand Re-Opening! That’s never happened!!!

We’re so excited for what’s to come in 2020. Thanks to everyone who made it out and moved around. Also, for those who missed it, 1v1 Lava Tag WAS INCREDIBLE!!! That was a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to do it again and maybe have more time devoted to matches.

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Acro is happening right now because I’m posting this late 🙁 Have fun doing Bkicks and Btwists!
  • Tuesday’s Time Trial’s will be slalom themed with very few actual flags. Lot’s of opportunity for quickness
  • Wednesday’s Movement Circuits is groundwork. Prepare for hip rolls!
  • Thursday’s Level 2 is Muscle Ups focus. If you still need work getting your first muscle up, don’t miss this. If you do have a muscle up, don’t miss it. You’ll be tasked with a movement line that incorporates it.
  • Saturday’s Level 2 is Bilateral vaults. Probably kongs. But maybe dashes? Who knows?!
  • Sunday’s Strength is a 10 to 1. Get wrecked!

Cheers,

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Level Changes
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Bkicks and Btwists
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Contralateral Vaults
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Slaloms
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Groundwork
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Wall Passes
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Creative Games
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Muscle Ups
  • 7pm Strength: Intensity Circuit
  • 8pm Mobility: Shoulder Activations
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Contralateral Vaults
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Bilateral Vaults – Kongs or Dashes
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Shoulder Rolls
  • 2pm Strength: 10 to 1
  • 3pm Mobility: Full body rolling
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Constant Motion
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: TBD
By |2020-01-13T20:03:41-05:00January 13th, 2020|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Jan 13 to 20

Important Changes to RocPK Memberships 2020

Dearest RocPK Members,

I’ll cut right to it: It’s been almost 5 years since we last made changes to our pricing structure. Much has changed in that time frame, from doubling our staff, expanding our service offerings, investing in some incredible new equipment, and obviously, moving into our amazing new location. 

In the same way, our expenses have also changed. Minimum wage, for example, was still $9.25/hour when we last changed prices and just underwent a final annual increase to $12.50. Our health insurance premiums have increased nearly 35%, liability insurance premiums have risen 31%, and our rent has increased 58%. Inflation is also a reality that we are all subject to. Through all of that, we’ve managed to grow without upping our prices. 

There’s really no easy way to write letters like this, so let me just say, I think we’ve come up with a win-win for all of us in the Rochester Parkour community. With these price increases, we’ll also be initiating some updates on how memberships function to improve usability. These changes will be initiated on February 1st 2020.

We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and our community in the last 5 years and we think there’s some simple changes that can be made to make the Rochester Parkour Gym more affordable and accessible to all use-cases. 

First, some of you may have noticed we no longer advertise “Upgraded Memberships”. Part of our pricing changes means making our available options more streamlined and less confusing. We now only offer three types of monthly membership plans: Open Gym, Basic, and All Access Membership.

2020 Membership prices are as follows:

Open Gym Membership

$40monthly

Basic Membership

$90monthly

All Access Membership

$120monthly

Drop in prices and packages will see no change.

Open Gym Drop In

$10Daily

Class Drop In

$20Each

10 Class Package

$180Once

Rather than just increase prices with no change in membership function, we’ve decided to revise the membership experience and make it more adaptable to varying schedules. 

Notable Usability Changes:

Open Gym Plan members will now be considered as full-fledged members and will gain access to Member discounts on events and services. Additionally, Open Gym Memberships will now qualify for Family Member Discounts**.

**Please note: Open Gym Memberships are designed for adult use. We will continue to deny access to an Open Gym Membership to anyone under the age of 18 who has not been an active enrollee into class based services.

All Members will now be given the option to join additional classes for just $10 rather than the $20 that it was previously. An Open Gym Member can join any class service for just $10. A Basic Member could join a 6th class for just $10. 

Strength and Mobility Classes will still be classified as “Fitness Classes” and will be subject to the original Drop In class rate ($20/each). However, Open Gym Members will be able to attend for the new 50% off rate of $10/each.

Basic and All Access Members will gain access to all Strength and Mobility classes for free. Basic Members will no longer use one of their five classes by enrolling into any Fitness class.

The Zen Planner mobile app was recently updated to make the workouts function of the software easier to access. All members are now able to use the ZP mobile app to search through our database of exercises, skills, techniques, and gym challenges. Additionally, links to videos for each exercise, skill, technique, and gym challenge have been fixed and are now clickable through the app.

Over the next couple months, RocPK Staff will be at work updating and creating our ZP Workouts database to include nearly everything that is possible in the gym with a corresponding video. We believe these changes will help our members feel more empowered and feel less aimless during their open time at the gym.

Although membership prices are increasing, the value proposition and benefits are still clear. Basic tier members who come to 5 classes and 4 open gyms per month are still accessing a value of $140/month for only $90. All Access Members who come to 8 classes and 4 open gyms per month are accessing a value of $200/month for only $120 (and some members are even getting more value!).

Additionally – and maybe even more importantly – we want to acknowledge the fact that ever since the beginning of Rochester Parkour, anytime we’ve implemented pricing changes, we’ve offered our current enrollees the benefit of grandfathered rates. As a thanks for your continued patronage, whatever price you were paying before the price jump would stay so long as you kept your membership active. Some of you have quite literally maintained your original membership for over 7 years!

We think it’s high time to just codify these benefits in stone and call it what it is:

The RocPK Loyalty Program

Membership is a partnership between us as a business and you as the community it serves. Discounts are a way for us to say, “Thanks for making our lives easier when we buy equipment, sign lease contracts, or hire employees.” Memberships are what gives us a small glimmer of stability in an unstable world. 

Most businesses in the fitness industry force that stability with annual contracts. Our approach is to earn that stability with our amazing service and environment. We refuse the practice of these legally binding annual contracts. 

Instead, we’re going to start granting discounts to any member who chooses to maintain their membership payments for extended periods of time. Here’s what it looks like:

New Member

$0Monthly discount

RocPK Select Member

$5Monthly discount

RocPK Sustaining Member

$20Monthly discount

There are some limitations that need to exist in order for us to offer these discounts. As a rule, we only allow one discount to be applied per membership, which is to say, these loyalty discounts can only be applied on full priced memberships. Add-On Memberships for families don’t apply, but will still receive our incredible 25%, 50%, and 75% discounts. Placing your membership on hold or cancelling for any reason will reset your loyalty status back to 0. More information on how this program will operate is set to come out in an upcoming blog post, so be on the lookout for that. 

To finish up this long-winded letter, as a show of gratitude for all of you current RocPK Members, we’ve decided to initiate this new Loyalty Program retroactively. Anyone who has a current membership by January 31st, 2020 will automatically be bumped into the RocPK Select tier and receive their $5/month discount. Any member who has been on membership for 2+ years (by January 31st)  will automatically be placed into the RocPK Sustaining Member tier.

If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided in this post, you can call us at 585.204.7537, write to us at info@rochesterparkour.com, or you can find us in the gym and ask in person. 

Operating the Rochester Parkour Gym has been a huge honor for all of us who work here. We want you to know that this gym can only brag about being one of the longest running Parkour gyms in the nation because of the amazing community here.

None of this would be possible without you. 

None of this would be worth it without you. 

Thanks. 

By |2020-01-09T16:04:24-05:00January 4th, 2020|News, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Important Changes to RocPK Memberships 2020

Weekly Curriculum – Dec 30 to Jan 6

parkour step vault

It’s here! 2020 is knocking at the door!

Reminder, in honor of the new year we’ll be CLOSED Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Don’t party too hard and stay safe out there!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Vaults
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Front Flips
  • CLOSED
  • CLOSED
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Shoulder Rolls
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Palm/Rail Spins
  • 7pm Strength: Bring on the 20’s!
  • 8pm Mobility: Long Holds
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Creative Combos
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Climbing Dynamics
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Horizontal Jumps
  • 2pm Strength: Intensity Circuits
  • 3pm Mobility: Hip Focus
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Groundwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Acro Combos
By |2019-12-30T14:03:37-05:00December 30th, 2019|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Dec 30 to Jan 6

Weekly Curriculum – Dec 16 to 23

Just a quick reminder for everyone that this is the last full week of classes in December! Christmas and New Years are both falling on Tuesdays/Wednesdays this year, so please plan accordingly.

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Acro is being taught by me again (Charlie) and we’ll be running through Back Flips again with extensions available for flipping off things
  • Tuesday’s Level 2 has a games focus. Games will be as much conceptual as they are physical. What does that mean? Show up to find out!
  • Wednesday’s Movement Circuits is Level Changes! Get up, get up, to get down!
  • Thursday’s Level 1 focus is bar swings. If you need to get some good ol’ hanging in on those shoulders before the break, come to this class.
  • Saturday’s Level 2 is back to Acro Vaults. I’m not sure what Josh has planned so now is a good opportunity to make requests so he can prepare.
  • Sunday’s Strength is ISO-Sore Day! Please don’t make me regret telling you this….

2019 is almost to a close. Let’s make this last full week of services the best of the year!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Add-On
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Backflips (off things?)
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Games!
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Slaloms
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Level changes
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Lazy Vaults
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Bar Swings
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Creative Courses
  • 7pm Strength: Parkour Skill Circuits
  • 8pm Mobility: Activations
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Underbars
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Acro Vaults
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Dash Vaults
  • 2pm Strength: ISO-Sore Day
  • 3pm Mobility: Full body rolling
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Footwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Side Flips
By |2019-12-16T14:21:48-05:00December 16th, 2019|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Dec 16 to 23

Weekly Curriculum – Nov 25 to Dec 2

First thing’s first – We’ll be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Go spend time with loved ones and take stock of all the good things that fill our lives!

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Movement Circuits is going to led by Nicole
  • Tuesday’s is geared up to be a crazy night! Level 2 is a giant Balance Challenge Course followed by Time Trials with a focus on fast paced planning. I’ll be changing the course objectives every run and students will only have 60 seconds to plan their path!
  • Wednesday’s Level 1 is Shoulder Rolls. If you’ve never learned them or need a refresh, this is the class to go to.
  • Thursday you should eat good food and laugh a lot! It’s required!!!
  • Saturday’s Level 2 is Parkour Golf with Josh.
  • Sunday is going to be excellent for anyone looking for a Triple Header – Challenging Footwork drills with Nicole, Volume Circuits in Strength, and Full Body Mobility Flows to finish

See you all in the gym!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Groundwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Flash Kicks
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Balance Course
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Open Format
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Footwork
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Shoulder Rolls
  • CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Bar Swings
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Game Day – Parkour Golf!
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Creative Footwork Challenges
  • 2pm Strength: Volume Circuits
  • 3pm Mobility: Mobility Flows
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Low Impact Level Changes
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Bkicks and BTwists
By |2019-11-25T14:02:26-05:00November 25th, 2019|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Nov 25 to Dec 2

Weekly Curriculum – Nov 18 to 25

Just a reminder to everyone that we had to cancel this month’s Challenge Night. I’m interested in adding in a new monthly event called Game Night where we just focus on one movement game. If we were to do that, what days work best for you? Either comment on the blog, our Fb post, IG post, or let us know in person.

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Acro is Side and Front Flips!
  • Tuesday’s Level 2 is going to include a TON of ascent work and changing levels. Good opportunity for a workout here! 🙂
  • Wednesday’s Movement Circuits is Perpetual Add-On which might be my favorite of all the class formats
  • Thursday’s Level 1 is Thief Vaults! This vault is one of the most fun and immensely applicable to lots of movement styles. Level 2 is Kip Outs! This WILL NOT be held on the AirTrick.
  • Saturday’s Level 1 is back to classic Parkour – jumps!
  • Sunday’s Level 1 is Wall Passes. If you need a refresh on the basics, get on this.

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Vaults
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Side/Front Flips
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Dynamic Climbing Courses
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Lava Open Format
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpatual Add-On
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Unilateral Vaults
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Thief Vaults
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Acro Vaults – Kip Outs
  • 7pm Strength: Movement Circuit
  • 8pm Mobility: Hip Focus
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Horizontal Jumps
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Climbing Dynamics
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Wall Passes
  • 2pm Strength: Animal Movements
  • 3pm Mobility: Shoulder Focus
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Groundwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Flash Kicks
By |2019-11-18T13:21:29-05:00November 18th, 2019|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Nov 18 to 25

Weekly Curriculum – Nov 11 – 18

AAaaaaand, suddenly it’s Winter I guess…

Fun things on the curriculum this week:

  • Tonight’s Movement Circuits is Footwork in the front bar cage. Expect nonsense (in a good way!)
  • Tuesday’s Time Trial’s is going to be in the back of the gym and will be a much longer course than normal. Great workout opportunity here
  • Wednesday’s Level 1 is bracchiation. Don’t know what that is? Don’t miss this class 😛
  • Thursday’s Level 2 is going to be heavily focused on flag tag. If you’ve never played, you’re missing out. Also, Ankle Stability Intensive for Mobility!
  • Saturday’s Level 1 is bilateral vaults like pops and kongs. These skills are super fun to play around with as Vince is demonstrating with his Kong-Cat in the gif up there
  • Sunday’s Strength is back to basics with strength intensity circuits. Come ready to work hard!

In random news, the Front Bar Cage might be on its way out and getting redesigned. If you have ideas for what you’d like to see in that space, hit us up!

Charlie

  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Footwork
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Capoeira
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Turn Swings
  • 7pm Level 2 Time Trials: Fast Paced Weaving (not tight spaces)
  • 5:30pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Level changes
  • 7:30pm Level 1 Skill: Bracchiation
  • 6pm Level 1 Skill: Jump to Cats
  • 6pm Level 2 Skill: Footwork/Strides/Pres – Flag Tag
  • 7pm Strength: 10 to 1
  • 8pm Mobility: INTENSIVE – Ankle Stability
  • 11am Level 1 Skill: Bilateral Vaults
  • 1pm Level 2 Skill: Vertical Jumps – Tacs and Plyos
  • 1pm Level 1 Skill: Underbars
  • 2pm Strength: Intensity Circuits
  • 3pm Mobility: Full body rolling
  • 6pm Level 1 Movement Circuits: Perpetual Vaults
  • 8pm Level 2 Acro: Side/Front Flips
By |2019-11-18T12:58:09-05:00November 11th, 2019|Curriculum|Comments Off on Weekly Curriculum – Nov 11 – 18

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