This post is written by Newton Dominey, owner of The Crag in Nashville, TN. Interested in writing for my blog? Check out my guest post guidelines!
Many people incorrectly assume that rock climbing, particularly indoor rock climbing, is something best left to kids & birthday parties. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Rock climbing is a sport that can be enjoyed by kids & adults alike, and with great physical and mental benefits.
Here are a few of the health benefits of rock climbing:
- Rock climbing burns calories! In just 60 minutes of climbing, a 150 pound individual will burn 750 calories. Compare that to jogging (475 calories), weight lifting (234), or cycling (600 calories), and you can see why most folks that climb on a regular basis have a slim physique.
- Rock climbing IS weight lifting! Look around at the trends in fitness right now and you’ll notice that many of them promote body weight training. That is, the only weight you’re lifting during your workout is the weight you carry around every day. Rock climbing is just that, body weight training. Climbers regularly scale walls using only their arms, legs and core muscles.
- Rock climbing is relaxing. Climbers will tell you that, despite the height and physical exertion, they find climbing to be relaxing. How is this possible? For the same reasons that yoga & meditation are relaxing. While climbing, all the mind’s focus is on the present – not on the work day or grocery list or the in-laws coming in town next weekend. This clearing of the mind is what produces the relaxing feeling experienced after a yoga, meditation or climbing session.
- Rock climbing is low impact. Many sports with the fitness benefits of climbing tend to be high impact. Climbing, however, provides the calorie consumption & strength building intensity without putting strain on your bones & joints. This is one of the many reasons why we consider climbing to be a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Those are only a few of the benefits you’ll experience as you progress from the ranks of novice to expert climber. Other benefits include, but are not limited to, being able to wow your friends with your encyclopedic knowledge of climbing shoe rubber, an amazing undefeated streak in thumb wrestling, and the ability to open any jar placed in front of you with your herculean forearms.
Have you ever been rock climbing? What are your favorite ways to have fun and exercise at the same time?
My brother would agree on this! He is a rock climber and is in amazing shape. Nice to change up your exercise routine with something new.
I dunno about “low impact”–the joints in my fingers ache a day or two after a long climbing session or day at the crag.
Very well written, Newton! I can attest to almost everything you’ve said in this article. Climbing is a phenomenal workout, it’s challenging and rewarding. For me, I don’t know how relaxing it is since I tend to get pretty into it and push myself pretty hard. But rock climbing is definitely worth your time on a regular basis for its many benefits.
Cool article… Time to switch it up… Spin classes are getting boring I think its time to try rock climbing! I have a strong upper body so I hope that helps! Wish me luck :]
I just started raw food (was vegetarian before) and I’ve been climbing rather intensive (on average: wall climbing around 4 times a week, rock climbing 1 day a week) for just over half a year. Since going raw i feel i have less strength during climbing. Will this feeling go away if I continue the raw food diet for a longer period?
Interesting, never thought of trying something like rock climbing, but it makes sense to me, because one has to use upper and lower body muscles, thus increasing strength in those areas. Plus by having to focus on this sport, it is a great way for exercising concentration.
In addition, it surely sounds like fun. Personally, I have fear of heights, so it might take some time before I will try this, but the calorie burning might be a driving factor. Great way to stay fit!