Alta Climbing & Fitness requires full-body strength. While your biceps and triceps get a workout, climbing also calls on your shoulders, back, legs, core and thighs.
Plus, it’s an aerobic activity that boosts heart health and speeds recovery time. Adding climbing to your weekly exercise routine can help you stay healthy and have fun while doing it.
Climbing is a fun and exciting full body workout that requires you to use your core, strength, balance, and coordination. In fact, it is the perfect workout for anyone who wants to improve their physical fitness and get stronger. It’s also a great way to build muscles and burn fat, especially if you follow a proper diet and workout plan.
Many people may think that climbing is just a sport for the young or those with little experience, but it’s actually a great workout for anyone! There are different types of climbing, and each type challenges you in a different way. Some climbs are more technical than others, and the more technical a route is, the more skill you need to ascend it. However, non-technical routes are easier to navigate and don’t require as much skill.
Unlike body part split workouts, which separate muscle groups into specific workouts on certain days of the week, full-body training sessions work all major muscles (back, chest, shoulders, arms, legs, and abs) in one session. By doing this, you’re able to target each muscle group from a variety of angles and movements, increasing the effectiveness of your workout.
The best part about full-body workouts is that they don’t require as much recovery time as isolated exercise routines. When you train a single muscle group, it will take longer to recover between sessions because each session is so intense. With a full-body workout, you can train your entire body three times a week with little to no recovery time between each session.
If you’re looking for a fun and effective full-body workout, consider trying out indoor rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders or MetroRock in NYC. Both gyms offer a friendly and welcoming environment for new climbers to test their skills in a controlled setting. They also offer events, classes, and camps for all ages and levels of experience. Plus, they have a state-of-the-art facility that includes top rope and bouldering on multiple floors, as well as classes in yoga, high-intensity interval training, and more! So, what are you waiting for?
It’s a Mind-Body Workout
The act of climbing requires a combination of strength, balance, agility and endurance. But it also requires a strong mind and an ability to overcome obstacles. It’s a unique blend of exercise and meditation, and it can help you reach new levels of strength and personal growth.
Climbing is an incredibly varied sport that can be done indoors or outdoors, on natural rock or artificial walls. It can involve using handholds and footholds to ascend a short boulder in your backyard or summiting an 8,000-meter high mountain halfway around the world. It can require tons of specialized gear or none at all. It can be as social as working on problems with a group of friends or as solo as free climbing (the method that Alex Honnold uses in his films).
One of the most popular forms of climbing is sport climbing, in which you use a safety rope and belay partner to secure yourself while you climb. This is the type of climbing you’ll find in most gyms and the most common way to learn the sport. It’s less demanding than free climbing, but it still requires a good level of skill and physical fitness to succeed.
Sport climbing is a great workout and can be an exciting challenge, but it’s not without its risks. The most serious injuries that people sustain while climbing come from falling, which can be fatal if you land on your head or back. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take proper precautions to avoid them.
For beginners, it’s a good idea to start by learning how to boulder at a local gym. These are typically much safer than outdoor rock formations, as routes are regularly inspected and bolted and the protection is more reliable. Bouldering is a fun, social activity that gives you an exhilarating workout while you work out your climbing technique and build up your strength and endurance.
Another popular form of mind-body exercise is yoga, which combines physical postures, breath control and meditation. Research suggests that it can improve your flexibility, strength and balance, while decreasing stress. It can also have a positive impact on your mental health, as it encourages you to focus on the present moment and reduces depression.
It’s a Social Activity
Despite the appearance of lonesome, self-sufficient rock climbers on the cliff face, climbing is a social activity. Many people begin the sport with a friend or partner, and most gyms have community climbing rooms where participants can hang out between climbs. Climbing also has a strong online presence, with dedicated forums where people can discuss gear, strategy, and ethics.
The social aspect of the sport also plays a role in how much enjoyment it brings to the participants. Research has shown that supportive behaviour can enhance the performance of a climber. This is important, because the sport can be very frustrating and even humiliating for beginners who fail to make it up a difficult route. However, the study also found that when the participants were unsupportive of their climbing partners, it had a negative effect on their own mood and performance.
Climbers are a competitive bunch, with formal competitions held worldwide for athletes of dizzying talent and local gyms hosting regular, less-competitive events. Thankfully, bitter public rivalries between professional climbers are rare, and the athletes themselves tend to be generous and supportive of one another.
Nonetheless, it’s possible to become obsessed with the sport and develop a dangerous addiction to its heady highs. Like a drug, it provides instant satisfaction when you reach a goal, but the lows are often more debilitating. Climbers are also subject to the same emotional rollercoaster as any other group of people, with feelings such as fear, terror, frustration, anger, relief, elation, and determination regularly on display.
For some, it may seem as if everyone exclusively boulders nowadays – after all, most new climbers are introduced to roped climbing in indoor walls, and many old-school climbers will keep clipping bolts forever. And to some extent, this is true – but the fact is that climbing has many different styles, and there’s always something new to try. Whether it’s the more physical and demanding style of trad climbing on gritstone, or the high-intensity gymnastics of alpine routes, there’s plenty to explore for anyone who wants to give it a go.
It’s a Stress Buster
Climbing helps you build resilience and combat stress by allowing you to channel your energy into something productive and positive. Climbing also releases endorphins, which boosts your mood and fosters a sense of well-being. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that comes with conquering a difficult climb provides a natural stress relief.
The intense concentration required for climbing requires your mind to focus on the task at hand, shutting out other worries and stresses in your life. This is why many people say that climbing is meditative. As you work to navigate the holds and solve the problems that arise, you become fully immersed in the experience of climbing.
In a world where digital distractions consume us and constantly demand our attention, finding an activity that encourages physical and mental focus is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. At Brooklyn Boulders, a leading climbing gym in New York City and Chicago, members enjoy the opportunity to disconnect from the digital whirlwind and become completely absorbed in the physicality of the sport.
When you step into the gym and begin your ascent, your body immediately begins to feel a sense of calm and clarity. Climbing is a powerful way to reduce anxiety and find serenity in the hectic pace of urban life.
Many climbers use the sport as a way to push themselves out of their comfort zone. As you tackle each challenge, you will gain a better understanding of your body’s limits and how to overcome them, building confidence and self-reliance. This carries over into other aspects of your life, as you will be more equipped to handle the stresses that come with everyday living.
In addition to the physical and mental benefits, climbing also offers a social component that fosters connections with others in a supportive community. At Brooklyn Boulders, you will be able to connect with people who share your passion for the sport and participate in a variety of classes and events that enhance the climbing experience. With both indoor and outdoor facilities, members have access to top-tier equipment including rock walls, fitness equipment, a sauna, and much more. To learn more about how Brooklyn Boulders can help you achieve your health and fitness goals, contact a member of the team today!
