I tried rock climbing for the first time this weekend and although I’m petrified of heights, I loved it! I’ve already booked to go back for another session.
Although I got a lot of enjoyment out of the session, I also realised it was a full body workout because my body was aching when I got home, so it got me thinking about what the benefits of rock climbing are.
I don’t claim to be a professional as it was obviously only my first time, but I have compiled this list from my own experience, from talking to the instructor and from research online:
5. Improved communication and listening skills
Although you may not think of this as important in your health and fitness journey, these are two of the many vital skills to get through life. Whether you are the climber or the beelayer (the person who holds the rope) you need to communicate well with each other to ensure you both feel comfortable and happy with the situation. It is impossible to climb with someone who you don’t trust, and communication is vital to gain trust. In just my first session I learnt how important it is to listen and respond to each other’s needs during climbing so you feel totally safe at all times.
4. Increased flexibility
Although it may not appear as obvious as yoga for something that improves your flexibility, climbing is fantastic for this. No wall (or rock if you choose to go outdoors) ever has a straight path from the bottom to the top. There are times when you have to stretch to reach your foot or hand to the next hold and this can often be a further stretch than you’re perhaps comfortable with, which gradually increases your flexibility. Unlike yoga though, because you are focusing so hard on holding on and getting your hands and feet in the right places you aren’t often aware of the fact that you’re gradually becoming more flexible over time.
3. Improved cardiovascular health
Although rock climbing may not appear to be a typical aerobic workout, it definitely gets your heart pumping (particularly if you have the element of fear thrown in, like I did). It’s well known the increase in rhythm that your heart endures during a workout improves cardiovascular health.
2. Increased muscle tone
Because you’re using your entire body to pull yourself up the wall you are putting pressure on your muscles and therefore gradually causing them to grow each time you do a climbing session. Climbing is a fantastic full body workout which targets muscles in the arms, legs, chest and back. So you’re having fun while building lean muscle, what more could you want?
1. Increased confidence
The first time I tried to climb the wall I let my fear of heights get the better of me and only managed to go up about two metres (rubbish I know), but it made something inside me wake up and say I can do better than that. The second time I tried to climb I made it all the way to the top and touched the ceiling! By the end of that first session I was starting to try inclined walls!
It gives you such a huge boost in confidence when you finish a session being able to achieve far more than you could at the start. I made the decision to push myself just as hard as I do during a workout and it gave me the ability (both mentally and physically) to make it to the top. Even if you only improve your climb by one metre from the beginning to the end of the session you have still improved and achieved something. It’s a tremendous confidence boost.
I can’t wait to go climbing again and I strongly recommend it to all of you. Please obviously make sure that you get professional instruction from a qualified trainer first though.
It’s a great workout that leaves you feeling like you can conquer the world. Go for it!
Read more posts about making fitness fun:
5 reasons to add self-defence training to your weekly routine
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