Climbing Fitness

Rock climbing is a multi-dimensional sport from a fitness perspective; it requires strength and flexibility as well as a high degree of endurance and skill. Climbing offers a balance between physical exercise and mental discipline. Many climbers report a heightened sense of self-confidence and independence as a result of gaining new skills and successfully completing challenging climbs both indoors and outside.

As you begin to rock climb, your body will be forced into some positions it may never have visited previously. Rock climbing is made up of a series of reaches with both your hands and feet. New climbers report sore forearms, hands, fingers, and calf muscles.

As you begin to learn to reach and stretch your limbs to find the very tiny holds that your fingers and toes will grip desperately, in order to stay on the wall, your body will be working to provide balance, coordination, and mental focus.

Climbers quickly begin to develop arm, back, finger, and core strength as a result of the many different reaches and holds that are repeated over and over through the completion of one climb. Climbers are successful with more difficult ascents only after working to improve the strength and endurance of their calves, shoulders, and core; their agility; strength-to-weight ratio; and flexibility in hips and hamstrings.

Rock climbing is an excellent sport to participate in to increase your level of fitness. The sport addresses Four of the Five Components of Physical Fitness

• muscular strength
• muscular endurance
• body composition
• flexibility

As well as creating an unrivalled sense of accomplishment when reaching the top of a climb, or as its known in the sport "Topping Out"