Tricking, parkour and more

Jennifer Poff Cooper
Contributing writer

Breakdancing, running up walls, dropping from six to eight feet up: all of these activities are possible at a new gym called Blue Ridge Motion.

The brainchild of sole owner Elijah Bowen, Blue Ridge Motion opened in early December on Kiwanis Lane in Christiansburg. Its sports are non-traditional, what Bowen referred to as “controlled chaos.”

Bowen’s favorite is called parkour, which came out of France, and in which the principles of exercise are based on natural movement and the whole body is engaged in activity. Having already been involved in martial arts, Bowen at age 15 was introduced to parkour and was impressed with the “amazing stunts” such as scaling buildings.

Free running is more disciplined than parkour and incorporates fancier moves such as tumbling and flipping off walls. Blue Ridge Motion also offers tricking, a martial art that includes gymnastics and aerobatics. Obstacle courses leave it up to the participant’s imagination as to how to get over obstacles that most people would just go around.

Bowen loves that in these sports you compete only against yourself.

“You get out of it what you put in,” he said.

There is also a lot of freedom for self-expression through these movements.

“It is getting close to flying without actually having to fly,” Bowen said.

Previously a gymnastics instructor in both Christiansburg and Floyd, Bowen had been working toward having his own facility for about three years. Though his operation in Floyd was successful, with over nine percent of the grade school market taking advantage of his services, he opted for a Christiansburg location because of the sheer available population and the idea that perhaps more people would be interested in what he was doing.

Sure enough, Blue Ridge Motion draws from the entire New River Valley and even has clients from as far away as Roanoke. If he could garner nine percent of this current market, it would be huge.

The clientele is largely kids ages 10-16 as these extreme sports have become prevalent on YouTube and through the show American Ninja Warrior. Bowen also works with folks in their 40s and 50s, and open gym on Wednesday evenings is a hit with the college crowd.

Health consciousness is one of the reasons for the popularity of these sports, because they strengthen the body more than something like plain gymnastics. Also, they are new and different than anything that has been offered in this area. And they are just plain fun, said Bowen.

Classes are the most common way individuals get started at Blue Ridge Motion. Classes are divided by level, with curriculum based on physical ability. Beginners just need to get their bodies used to moving, said Bowen. He also offers private appointments and classes, as well as summer camps and birthday parties.

While Bowen is the only certified trainer at Blue Ridge Motion, there are four other employees who have “extensive experience.”

The timing of the opening was unfortunate, Bowen said, with the holidays consuming people in December. However, things are “slowly picking up” now with the business having 15 consistent students, teaching 6-7 in private instruction, and adding 2-3 new students per week.

Marketing began with Facebook and Google ads to kick things off, but since them has been mostly word of mouth. Bowen is convinced that if he offers the best services around, people will spread the word.

It is mostly about educating the parents, Bowen said, because the kids have learned about these sports through social media.

Partnering with the local schools is a possibility. A school program called “Let’s Run” is thinking of bringing its kids into the gym, and a special class may develop to help children with autism.

The business name “Blue Ridge Motion” encompasses Bowen’s hope that the gym can eventually become a “multi-movement facility.”

In addition to planning for a more spacious gym, Bowen is building relationships with other physical activity businesses in the area in hopes of finding synergy. He has talked with Crimpers Climbing Gym and Xtreme Springs Trampoline Park, both in Christiansburg, about working together to offer many programs in one spot. Dreaming big, Bowen is even thinking about offering circus arts at some point.

“I’d like to have the Wal-Mart of movement facilities,” said Bowen.

Blue Ridge Motion is offering the first of what Bowen hopes are many obstacle course challenges on Jan. 27. The crew will rearrange the gym and host three age brackets, with each one being incrementally harder.

Winners will get one month of free open gym, 50% off one month of classes, as well as company paraphernalia and a picture on the wall of fame.

For more information or to register, go to blueridgemotion.com.