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Why Indoor Rock Climbing ROCKS
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ShareConquer your fears, problem solve and get a rock hard body with this hot fitness trend
1. Conquer your fears: A lot of people are scared of heights. Most of us are scared of falling. None of us want to die. When you climb, you have to push these fears out of your head. It takes focus to be 40 feet high and pulling up on two fingers or balancing on your toes while trying to get higher up the wall; you have to use that focus to breathe through the climb and push past your fears.
2. Solve puzzles: There’s a huge problem solving factor to climbing; it’s like a giant physical algorithm or brain teaser that you solve by knowing how to use your body as your mathematical tool. It’s like your body is a flexible puzzle piece and the wall is a puzzle. You have to figure out how to fit your body into the wall, how to twist, turn, stretch, grab, hang, push to climb up the wall hold by hold. It takes spatial reasoning, body self-awareness, balance, and fine motor-control.
Some say rock climbing is like being inside a real-time video game.
3. Stay fit: Lifting your own weight repeatedly, and using all your muscles at once, your body becomes strong and evenly toned. Depending on the route, it can be a total balancing act, a cardio-heavy endurance challenge, or a series of pull ups. Yoga is a great complement to climbing to keep your core strong, your breathing steady, and your strength and balance intact.
You don’t need to be a natural athlete to be a good climber. You do need to be persistent, obsessive, and determined to solve problems. Here’s what you’ll need to start indoor rock climbing:
1. Climbing shoes.
2. A harness.
3. A belay lesson. You’ll need to know how to tie a couple of basic knots and learn some safety measures. A seasoned friend could teach you in half an hour, or you could take a class at your local gym.
Climb for fun or to add spice to your fitness routine. It’s a great way of clearing your mind, focusing only on the task at hand, and - for many – taking you right out of your comfort zone. And that’s a nice place to be once in a while.
By: Kerry Hale
