A recent study by the social fitness network Strava revealed that most people abandon their New Year’s fitness resolution by January 19. If that seems fast, it makes sense when you remember that — for most of us — workouts are a chore rather than a source of fun or relaxation. The truth is working out is a great way to energize the body and mind and can have a whole list of positive impacts on your life. Now that the weather has turned to spring, why not reignite your interest in fitness by trying a new workout. Consider, for example, rock climbing. If that seems overly ambitious and more of an extreme adventure than a workout, you may be surprised to learn that it’s one of the fastest rising fitness activities of the past 20 years. Almost 5 million people participate in some form of climbing, including sport climbing and indoor climbing, which doesn’t need to involve a mountain peak.
Rock climbing is so popular for fitness enthusiasts because it is a complete workout. It is also an excellent activity for your mind, exercising your brain while you build your muscles and endurance.
Photo by Hu Chen
Hu Chen
1- Physical benefits of rock climbing
When most people go to the gym, they choose to focus their routine on cardio or strength training. Rock climbing gives you both workouts at the same time. Rock climbers develop muscle, build stamina, and elevate the heart rate in a single routine. The physical benefits include:
Burning up to 900 calories for every one hour of rock climbing.
Strengthening and toning most of your muscle groups, including core, biceps, lats, quads, and calve muscles as you balance and lift your body weight throughout the session.
Improving flexibility. Rock climbing will force you to stretch, reach and train your body to go in directions you might not think possible. The results over time will make you more nimble and agile.
Photo by Patrick Hendry
Patrick Hendry
2- Mental benefits of rock climbing
Rock climbing is not only about building physical strength. It also has a positive impact on your psychological health, including.
Relieving stress. Rock climbing is an exhilarating sport. As you keep climbing, you experience the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter in our body that helps in alleviating stress.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment. No matter how many times you've climbed, every session is a new challenge. You need to overcome fatigue, uncertainty, and fear. When you do, you’ll feel the satisfaction of accomplishment.
Solving problems. Rock climbing constantly requires the climber to practice focus, balance, and decision making. You need to navigate your climb without a map, all the while reaching, lifting, and balancing. This requires presence and anticipation and is incredibly healthy for your brain.
Photo by Hu Chen
Hu Chen
3- How to give rock climbing a try:
Start by visiting a climbing gym. Recreational climbing facilities are now fairly common all over the country. These facilities offer a place to learn the basics of rock climbing in a safe, controlled environment with trainers and climbing obstacles for climbers of any ability level.
Once you’re ready to try an outdoor climb, start with bouldering. This is the name for climbing on very low rock formations without a rope. Bouldering will give you just as good a workout as climbing but without the anxiety or danger of a climb at elevation.
Know your limits. Rock climbing is definitely a challenging form of exercise, and that’s part of why it’s so great. But check with your doctor first if you have a heart condition or if you’re afraid of heights.
Photo by Speckfechta
Speckfechta
If you are looking for an inspiring new workout to try this spring, give rock climbing a try. It’s an exciting opportunity to challenge both your body and mind as you achieve all the benefits of a gym workout — including strength training, aerobics, cardio, and toned weight loss — while enjoying the beautiful spring weather outside.
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News / Sports
Rock climbing: Your new workout for spring
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 9, 2020 1:53 PM EDT
A recent study by the social fitness network Strava revealed that most people abandon their New Year’s fitness resolution by January 19. If that seems fast, it makes sense when you remember that — for most of us — workouts are a chore rather than a source of fun or relaxation. The truth is working out is a great way to energize the body and mind and can have a whole list of positive impacts on your life. Now that the weather has turned to spring, why not reignite your interest in fitness by trying a new workout. Consider, for example, rock climbing. If that seems overly ambitious and more of an extreme adventure than a workout, you may be surprised to learn that it’s one of the fastest rising fitness activities of the past 20 years. Almost 5 million people participate in some form of climbing, including sport climbing and indoor climbing, which doesn’t need to involve a mountain peak.
Rock climbing is so popular for fitness enthusiasts because it is a complete workout. It is also an excellent activity for your mind, exercising your brain while you build your muscles and endurance.
Photo by Hu Chen
1- Physical benefits of rock climbing
When most people go to the gym, they choose to focus their routine on cardio or strength training. Rock climbing gives you both workouts at the same time. Rock climbers develop muscle, build stamina, and elevate the heart rate in a single routine. The physical benefits include:
Burning up to 900 calories for every one hour of rock climbing.
Strengthening and toning most of your muscle groups, including core, biceps, lats, quads, and calve muscles as you balance and lift your body weight throughout the session.
Improving flexibility. Rock climbing will force you to stretch, reach and train your body to go in directions you might not think possible. The results over time will make you more nimble and agile.
Photo by Patrick Hendry
2- Mental benefits of rock climbing
Rock climbing is not only about building physical strength. It also has a positive impact on your psychological health, including.
Relieving stress. Rock climbing is an exhilarating sport. As you keep climbing, you experience the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter in our body that helps in alleviating stress.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment. No matter how many times you've climbed, every session is a new challenge. You need to overcome fatigue, uncertainty, and fear. When you do, you’ll feel the satisfaction of accomplishment.
Solving problems. Rock climbing constantly requires the climber to practice focus, balance, and decision making. You need to navigate your climb without a map, all the while reaching, lifting, and balancing. This requires presence and anticipation and is incredibly healthy for your brain.
Photo by Hu Chen
3- How to give rock climbing a try:
Start by visiting a climbing gym. Recreational climbing facilities are now fairly common all over the country. These facilities offer a place to learn the basics of rock climbing in a safe, controlled environment with trainers and climbing obstacles for climbers of any ability level.
Once you’re ready to try an outdoor climb, start with bouldering. This is the name for climbing on very low rock formations without a rope. Bouldering will give you just as good a workout as climbing but without the anxiety or danger of a climb at elevation.
Know your limits. Rock climbing is definitely a challenging form of exercise, and that’s part of why it’s so great. But check with your doctor first if you have a heart condition or if you’re afraid of heights.
Photo by Speckfechta
If you are looking for an inspiring new workout to try this spring, give rock climbing a try. It’s an exciting opportunity to challenge both your body and mind as you achieve all the benefits of a gym workout — including strength training, aerobics, cardio, and toned weight loss — while enjoying the beautiful spring weather outside.
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