Benefits Of Climbing | All you need to know

Benefits Of Climbing

Whether it is magnificent open-air places, whether it is walls set up in centers or gyms for extreme sports, climbing is certainly one of the best total body workouts that can be done.

Part resistance training, part cardio with an added injection of adrenaline, climbing is the physical activity for adrenaline junkies that you may not have considered.

1. Cardio and strength in one workout

Climbing is a unique exercise as it strengthens the muscles while doing a cardio workout at the same time. Okay, the same can be said for other activities, like running and swimming, but with climbing you work in a similar way to doing weight training in the gym, using your body weight instead of barbells and cables.

According to a study reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, cardio and energy consumed while climbing are similar to running at a pace between 8 and 11 minutes per mile. This doesn't even take into account how much your heart goes crazy thanks to the adrenaline, all while you have to think about where to put your feet, sharpening your wits as you think about the next move.

2. It burns calories

And what about the calories burned? Well, considering the cardio workout and all the muscle groups to use, you probably already know it's good for fat loss.

3. Train the top and bottom

Climbing puts both the upper and lower body to work. You will train the muscles of the legs, trunk, shoulders, arms and even fingers, and with all the arriving, stretching and squeezing positions involved, you will not only strengthen the muscles but at the same time you will also improve flexibility, balance and agility.

If you imagine yourself on a rock face, an arm extended to pull you up and a leg bent with the foot at waist level, you can understand how very few muscles are really left out.

The pulling movements will use your sides, forearms, biceps and deltoids, while lifting yourself up and pushing to support yourself will put your trapezes, pecs and triceps to work.

Lifting up from a squatting position (although this may mean your legs are bent) means you are using your glutes and hamstrings, while your calf muscles and quadriceps will be active most of the time to keep you steady.

But above all, the trunk will be constantly working, training and toning the abdominals, both by stretching and contracting.

4. Strengthens and tones

You may think of climbing as a medium to low impact exercise (compared to running). But when you compare it to other toning and strengthening activities, such as yoga and pilates, a good climbing session will provide a much more challenging workout for the same duration.

What other health benefits does it provide?

5. Against the fear of heights

Like other forms of physical activity, climbing can help with depression and stress management. It can give self-esteem in the form of a real wall to conquer. Additionally, many climbers say that anxiety and fear of heights can be cured by climbing, if done gradually.

Facing your fears is also good for self-confidence - another plus for mental health in general.

6. Useful for those suffering from dyspraxia

Another interesting fact that you may not know is that the British National Health Service mentions climbing as a beneficial activity for people suffering from dyspraxia, a motor coordination disorder.

This is because it provides a stable environment for planning movements - something that people with dyspraxia often have a hard time doing.