Rock Climbing is among some of the best total body workouts available. It’s a unique sport in that boys and girls are equally capable. A common misconception is that climbing requires an already strong upper body. This idea often discourages girls from participating. An effective rock climber is one who understands that much of climbing is related to technique, balance and leg strength.
Here are some reasons why you should try Rock Climbing:
- Overall Muscle Tone: Rock climbing is a great exercise because it targets muscles in the arms, chest, back, and even the legs in one workout.
- Weight Loss: Coupled with healthy nutrition, rock climbing is a great way to lose weight. Rock climbing at a moderate intensity for around one hour will burn around 400 calories.
- Improved Cardiovascular Health: One of the most important exercise benefits associated with rock climbing is the effect on your cardiovascular health. Rock Climbing will keep your heart healthy because it is considered a full-body workout.
- Develops Lean, Endurance Muscle and Core: Climbing develops lean, endurance muscles (the same muscles used by marathon runners). It strengthens core muscles better than exercise routines designed to focus on that particular region. The core stabilizes the body, and leads to a stronger, less injury prone body.
- Great Cross-training for other Sports: It complements and boosts performance in other sports- Climbing assists by further developing the primary muscles needed for the sport, as well as the secondary muscles which benefit it, but which are not adequately developed in the practice of it.
- Improves Mental Health: Exercise boosts your serotonin and endorphin levels which are good for mood and mental health. Rock climbing requires problem solving skills and a great deal of concentration. As you climb, you must analyze the footholds and handholds and decide your each and every move. Because of the amount of concentration it requires, sport climbing can become very meditative. This meditative state can improve your mental health as you train your brain to concentrate and problem solve.
- Improves Coordination and Neuro-motor skills: Rock climbing requires you to coordinate your mind with your muscles. Every rock-climbing move offers a novel problem-solving challenge, presenting the climber with a different set of potential handholds and footholds to use.
- Many Other Life Aspects Benefits:
- Decision Making
- Visualization
- Problem Solving
- Goal Setting
- Planning
- Concentration
- Determination
- Self Confidence
- Stress Relief
- Sense of Achievement
- Spatial awareness
- Motor Skills
