Rock climbing

Mochi

Hi, I know we have at least one or two rock climbing superstars here. I am tentatively interested myself, and have a few questions to start out. We have some indoor walls here in Boston, and that's probably enough for me, since I'm pretty nervous with heights. It's kind of an indoor fitness for winter/activity with hubby type of thing.

First, I'm not in too bad cardiovascular shape and am building muscle, but do I need to be close to my ideal weight to start out?

Does RC provide a decent workout?

Would it be better to avoid this if I have an old shoulder injury? I could ask my physical therapist, but your opinions would be helpful too.

I'm sure I would come up with more questions later, but thanks a lot!

12 years ago

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10 replies

Latest reply was from cheryle (Dianthus)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I have no answers for you, but I'm intrigued by this too. I need more upper body workouts. I hope you get the OK from your doc -- I wouldn't think it would be a problem, since all the climbing walls provide harness support.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Hey lady, did you call my name?

Rock climbing is a fantastic workout, although not necessarily aerobic/cardio. To me it's a substitute for lifting weights as you are pulling your own weight up the wall - however, it's much more interesting because you are making lots of different moves that involve arms, legs, and core. The more core strength, the better a climber you will be. You use all parts of your body in multiple ways, and that real life variety gives a different workout every time.

Also, once you learn to belay, you can climb with anyone at any level. In fact, I have some friends who are happy to top-rope up to 5.10 and don't care about pushing further. When I had more time I really pushed myself by leading and working on the hardest climbs I could find, but now I'm happy just to go in and do it. Unlike a lot of other sports or exercise, you can get a good workout at any level of climbing.

To me climbing is a combination of yoga (because it settles and focuses my mind) and strength-buildng. It requires a lot of balance and flexibility. Women are often good at climbing because they use finesse rather than raw muscle!

On the downside, you can easily injure yourself overdoing it - hands, fingers, fendons, shoulders. Ask your PT about what moves to avoid. Often you can get creative and do a move a different way to avoid weight-bearing in a certain position. My climbing partner had rotator cuff surgery and still climbs like a maniac - she's just careful about certain moves. Be sure to warm up beforehand and stretch afterward.

You will know right away whether you love it or if it's not for you, but I do hope you enjoy it! Any other questions, just ask!

12 years ago

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Try small bouldering problems to start, would be my advice - less strain.

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I've gone up climbing walls only a couple times, but the big thing I noticed is that it is very mental. My first time was outside, and as I became dehydrated I lost concentration and it became super difficult; it wasn't due to my (lack of) muscles. The tiny subteen among us was the best, and it wasn't necessarily because she was the strongest and her reach wasn't that far. But she was fearless. Of course, we were all wearing harnesses, so none of us would have fallen.

DD doesn't like to belay for guys because the weight differential is too much and she has a tendency to float up.

12 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

I'm not a regular climber, but I've climbed in gyms and 3 or 4 times outside (Yosemite) with relatives that are regulars. (Oh my gosh, so gorgeous.)

1. Don't worry about your weight. The less you weigh, the less you have to haul up, so to speak, but my philosophy is never delay your life because of your weight. It's fine.

2. RC is a great whole-body work-out in terms of working lots of muscles. It is *not* aerobic for me at all (except I do have to consciously breathe slowly sometimes to focus). I agree with AlaskaGirl that there are parallels to yoga: stretching, bending, breathing, balancing.

3. You can hurt your shoulders easily *if you aren't careful*. So be careful. The main trick is to use your legs. Those thighs? That butt? Those muscles are strong and perfect for moving you up. If you try to brute force pull yourself up with your arms, you will work your shoulders/arms hard (plus it is difficult to do).

I find that climbing exhausts me differently than other sports. At some point (3 or 4 or 5 climbs), I just don't have any strength left. I love that feeling If there was a convenient place nearby, I'd climb more.

Let us know what you think.

12 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Oh, thank you everybody. Now I'm definitely excited and wanting to give it a try!

I am somewhat afraid...of my fear Longtime fear of heights. It's lessened but still there. That's why I can't imagine ever leaving the harness. Yet, go figure, I'm attracted to the idea of doing this for some weird reason.

I'm particularly happy about the full attention it requires. I need this type of rewiring. Today I was doing stand up paddling (only my second time out, and still very shaky) and it was such a refreshing thing to find myself losing the constant mental chatter and being completely caught up in what my body was doing and in the immediate conditions around me.

12 years ago

deb

Veteran

The only help I can be is an official cheerleader. Go Mocki, go!

12 years ago

Mann

Active Member

I'm a regular lurker, but coming out of the woodwork for this thread :).
Definitely try out rock climbing if you are curious! I've climbed a few years, indoors and outdoors, and love it. It's a good whole-body workout for me, plus the only physical activity that really gives me a break from the constant chatter in my head, therefore also relaxing and refocusing me. (Yoga workouts make me anxious - "are we doooonee yet with the pose??? if not, let me go over my to-do list...").
I wouldn't worry about the weight. I really liked ClaraT's philosophy to never let one's weight (or ideas about what the weight should be) delay life!
Also, especially at the beginning, most of the work ought to be done with your leg muscles anyway, unless you are climbing serious overhangs, but I would still check with your doctor/PT about what specific moves to avoid.
And lastly, while you might be an instant superstar at the rock wall, I certainly wasn't. (Not that I am now, but I'm at a point where I lead sport and trad outside, including alpine, and I never thought I'd get there) My first few times of being lowered on a route in the gym were simply panic-inducing and I could not let go of the wall. I was afraid to really push myself even on a toprope as I was afraid to fall. But for some reason, I just loved it, even though I think I am definitely below average talented in climbing, and kept going. It took me quite some time to get more comfortable. So, as long as you are having fun and enjoying it, it doesn't matter where your fear is compared to where you think it should be.

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

How great, Mocchi ! My goal last year when I did the LiveStrong program was to climb a wall at the YMCA where I was doing LiveStrong. As you know, I was a year out of both surgeries on my right side torso/breast, I was pretty sick from the meds...but where I am going with this is that I did it. In pretty bad shape ! LOL. In fact, I learned that it is all in the legs. Often , the guides would let me just hang off the wall for a while in order to rest.

I think that you should absolutely try it.

12 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

We have an indoor climbing facility and I've been there a few times. Once was with a group of the neighbor women who were varying ages, weights, and fitness levels including one who had a major accident a few years earlier and had reduced mobility in one foot. We all had a blast and we were all able to participate fully. I was quite fit the first time I went and was able to get to the top of almost all of the walls. Another time, less so but still a great workout. If it wasn't on the opposite side of the city, I would probably go more often.

I would be interested in how it goes so please report back Mochi.

12 years ago

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