If you’re looking for a full-body workout that’s as beneficial to your mind as it is to your body, look no further than rock climbing.
Climbing strengthens your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, back, abs, glutes, thighs and calves. In addition, it improves flexibility, reduces stressand tests your problem-solving skills and endurance.
Figuring out where to go next when you’re hanging on a wall is a whole new kind of challenge, and many climbers compare rock climbing to a very physical game of chess, where you’re always thinking about your next move.
Of course, as exciting as it is, climbing is also safe, provided you know what you are doing and are supervised by qualified supervision. Most people learn to climb at indoor climbing centers, where there are always expert instructors on hand to show you the ropes (literally).
Most centers provide all the accessories and equipment you need, although you may need to buy a good pair of climbing shoes. It’s worth visiting your local sports or fitness store to purchase them for advice on how to choose the right shoe for you. Climbing shoes are different from normal sneakers because they are adapted to help you hold on to rocks and stand on small holds.
If you’re not sure about taking up climbing as a hobby because heights aren’t your thing, then you might consider taking up bouldering. Bouldering is basically climbing on a smaller scale – the walls are usually around 10-15 feet.
When bouldering, you don’t need safety equipment like helmets, harnesses, and ropes. Instead, you climb on top of a protective mat. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t injuries, so be sure to follow your climbing center’s safety rules.
You can find your nearest indoor climbing center here – and to get a better idea of what to expect from indoor climbing, watch the video below.
