Climbing can be a fantastic exercise. It works the upper body, the core and the legs. However not everyone is blessed with mountains or safe areas to climb near them. Therefore you may want to find a gym or sports center with a rock climbing wall so you can develop your skills in a safe environment.
The first and most important tip is that you should not immediately jump on and climb. There are numerous risks to this approach. For example if you do not warm up properly then you risk getting cramps. This is what often puts off novice climbers who attempt to do too much too soon.
A better approach is to prepare yourself before a climb, both in terms of mental preparation and physical development. Spend a bit of time in the gym developing your arms, legs and core. An instructor or experienced employee ought to be able to show you the most effective exercises that will allow you to develop your muscles before you begin a climb.
Another beneficial exercise is arm strengthening. As you climb up you are lifting your body with your arms. Lifting weights can be especially effective for this. If there is a bar at your gym you ought to practice static hanging as this is something that you will be doing a lot.
Arm exercises are important as you need to be able to lift your body. Chin ups on a bar are good for this. It is also recommended that you practice static hanging on a bar so that you are prepared for this while you climb. Core strengthening such as leg raises are important because you need to unify the motions of your arms and legs. Having a strong core can make this a lot easier. Leg muscles are often the forgotten aspect of climbing but these should not be neglected as they are part of the exercise.
Remember before you start to warm up. Get your hands and feet warmed up as well as your arms and legs. You should then find that you are able to do your first climb without getting cramps, something that may put people off when they do it for the first time and forget to properly warm up. As with any exercise make sure you have a bottle of water with you and wear loose clothing for ease of movement.
A temptation for people starting is to attempt the hardest routes first. This is a bad idea. Not only will you find it very hard but there is an increased risk of injury when you attempt to do too much too soon. Building up gradually is better for your long term development as a climber!
If you are interested in using a rock climbing wall it is worth contacting a friend to do it with you or joining a society as this will often make it easier with someone offering encouragement. You can find a number of gyms and societies online. Use your regular search engine to find out what is available in your local area and is best suited to your requirements and skill level.
The first and most important tip is that you should not immediately jump on and climb. There are numerous risks to this approach. For example if you do not warm up properly then you risk getting cramps. This is what often puts off novice climbers who attempt to do too much too soon.
A better approach is to prepare yourself before a climb, both in terms of mental preparation and physical development. Spend a bit of time in the gym developing your arms, legs and core. An instructor or experienced employee ought to be able to show you the most effective exercises that will allow you to develop your muscles before you begin a climb.
Another beneficial exercise is arm strengthening. As you climb up you are lifting your body with your arms. Lifting weights can be especially effective for this. If there is a bar at your gym you ought to practice static hanging as this is something that you will be doing a lot.
Arm exercises are important as you need to be able to lift your body. Chin ups on a bar are good for this. It is also recommended that you practice static hanging on a bar so that you are prepared for this while you climb. Core strengthening such as leg raises are important because you need to unify the motions of your arms and legs. Having a strong core can make this a lot easier. Leg muscles are often the forgotten aspect of climbing but these should not be neglected as they are part of the exercise.
Remember before you start to warm up. Get your hands and feet warmed up as well as your arms and legs. You should then find that you are able to do your first climb without getting cramps, something that may put people off when they do it for the first time and forget to properly warm up. As with any exercise make sure you have a bottle of water with you and wear loose clothing for ease of movement.
A temptation for people starting is to attempt the hardest routes first. This is a bad idea. Not only will you find it very hard but there is an increased risk of injury when you attempt to do too much too soon. Building up gradually is better for your long term development as a climber!
If you are interested in using a rock climbing wall it is worth contacting a friend to do it with you or joining a society as this will often make it easier with someone offering encouragement. You can find a number of gyms and societies online. Use your regular search engine to find out what is available in your local area and is best suited to your requirements and skill level.
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