Reasons to take up rock climbing on the climbing wall: health benefits

What is sport climbing interesting? Why is it worth trying?

Professional trainers answer.

This sport is a great alternative to the gym. Climbing the wall on special ledges, you will not only pump up your body perfectly, but also develop various useful skills that will be useful later in life.

Head coach and head of the “Staraya Shkola” climbing wall in Moscow.

The essence of the process consists in overcoming a certain rocky route by so-called “free climbing”, i.e. by the forces of your own body and without the help of special equipment that facilitates climbing. All safety equipment is used to ensure safety, but not to facilitate climbing – this is the main difference between sport climbing and mountaineering.

For training away from the cliffs in the middle of the last century in Europe and the United States gradually began to appear small training bases – climbing walls. These are indoor or outdoor areas with artificial climbing walls made of plywood or plastic. There you can learn how to work with equipment, master climbing techniques and develop the necessary strength.

Eugene: Now in most developed countries climbing is a very popular sport and active recreation. For example, if you work in a company in London, about one in five of your colleagues are into this sport. Russia is in a starting position in this respect, but the pace of development over the last 10 years speaks volumes.

professional climbing coach

There is an opinion that every mountaineer should be at least a little bit in the skin of a climber, learn the basic technique, master basic skills. But a rock climber does not need to go to the mountains to hone his skills. It is enough just to choose a climbing wall to your liking and strive for new heights.
Rock climbing is a great alternative to fitness. It is a fascinating and multifaceted sport, which has been included in the program of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo!

Here are a few reasons why you should take up sport climbing.

Easy start

Eugene: You don’t have to have been climbing since you were a kid to get into the process and be your own climber. It is enough to sign up at the climbing center for an introductory lesson with an instructor. With the help of a trainer it is possible to learn all the necessary basics even in an hour. Of course, there is no limit to perfection, but absolutely no preparation is required to start.

A good alternative to fitness

Evgeniy: Rock climbing is similar to gymnastics, and everyone knows how physically developed gymnasts are. In the process of training a climber harmoniously develops his body. At the same time, the athlete learns to own it, not just chasing beauty. Those who have seen TV projects like “Russian Ninja” or similar, where representatives of different sports compete, know that rock climbing is always at the top.

Boris: This sport shapes your figure, because every muscle works during the climb. Even those that are normally inactive. The muscles work without putting strain on the spine, which is important. For girls it is a unique sport. Rock climbing allows you to create the figure of your dreams, without getting bored and not “killed” on the gym. If you work out on the climbing wall three times a week, you can safely refuse a gym membership.

Conquering climbing routes perfectly develops flexibility and coordination, because the athlete’s task is to climb as high as possible, and for this you need to catch the balance, moving along the hooks.

Variety of training

Boris: Training will not be monotonous, because you can climb both on flat vertical walls and on overhangs and interesting reliefs. And the variety of insurances gives you freedom of action – climbing is either with a partner or with the help of automatic insurances. There is bouldering – a climbing wall not more than 5 meters high – where insurance is not necessary. In case of a fall, the athlete lands on special soft mats.

Development of wit

Boris: An athlete is constantly faced with a variety of coordination tasks. Therefore, it is important not only to calculate every movement, but also to be able to analyze the situation and assess the course. Passing the route is compared to a game of chess, because every correct move – interception – brings you closer to victory.

Developing willpower and self-confidence

Boris: Let you climb to a height not at once. But each time it will turn out to be higher, faster, more technical. How can you not be pleased with yourself?

Almost any sport develops willpower. But in rock climbing, where the goal seems so close and tangible, the athlete time after time makes maximum efforts to achieve the desired goal. There is a result at every training session: here are two meters, and here are three meters, and here is a difficult route left behind.

It’s cool

Eugene: You must agree that when you say that you are climbing, it is at least intriguing. No one is surprised by fitness hikes or a passion for table tennis.

All ages are obedient to all ages

Eugene: In Europe I often meet a couple of retired elderly people who continue climbing rocks for their own pleasure. Children’s climbing clubs take children from the age of 2-3.

Boris Inozemtsev

Boris: Climbing classes bring positive emotions to children and help them make new friends. The joy of overcoming oneself and achieved results make a child happy after each training session, and the habit of making efforts, including wit and achieving goals will be very useful in studies and in various life situations. The variety of climbing tasks allows anyone to find interesting projects for themselves.

Come to the nearest gym and try this sport yourself. Maybe it will take over your head too.