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Rock climbing has become increasingly popular over the past few years. The availability of indoor climbing facilities has made it more accessible to a larger audience. Outdoor rock climbing has also seen a significant surge post-pandemic. People are rock climbing outdoors to challenge themselves and get immersed in nature.
This form of exercise is for everybody, regardless of gender, age, size, or fitness level. This physical activity also offers several health benefits. For this reason, we spoke to leading health experts to learn more about the benefits of including rock climbing in your fitness regime. Here’s what they had to say.
6 health benefits of rock climbing
When rock climbing, you work multiple muscle groups throughout your body, including your arms, shoulders, back, core, and legs. As a beginner, it’s good to start with indoor rock climbing and then move on to outdoor rock climbing. Indoor climbing walls provide a controlled environment for beginners to practise their climbing skills and for their bodies to get used to the movements involved.
During rock climbing, you have to focus your mind to strategically think of your next move. Thus, it is a physical activity that is mentally challenging and helps improve concentration. Furthermore, rock climbing has a community aspect. Rock climbers often join climbing clubs, which enables them to form strong social connections. “Rock climbing can be an excellent way to improve focus and enhance overall mental well-being.
Once on the wall, one needs to be focused as we use each muscle, create the next balanced move, and completely switch off from any wayward thoughts. When rock climbing, I love how I can zone out of life and get into a space where the sense of achievement kicked every time I reach a new level! Post the climb too, I always feel exhilarated and de-stressed,” states Nikhil Kapur, fitness expert, co-founder, and director of Atmantan Wellness Centre.
When you rock climb regularly, your abdominal and lower back muscles are strengthened, leading to improved core stability. “Rock climbing engages muscles throughout the body. It requires strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. Climbing involves using your arms and legs to pull and push your body weight up the wall, while your core muscles stabilise your body and maintain balance,” remarks Prateek Kumar, fitness expert, nutritionist, and founder of FitCru.
Rock climbing involves reaching and stretching, which helps improve flexibility and increase your range of motion.
While rock climbing, the pulling, and pushing movements aid in toning your upper body, back, and leg muscles. “The few times I have tried indoor rock climbing, I have noticed some conspicuous benefits. It is a super full-body workout. All your muscle groups come into play, which may be overwhelming for a beginner because you need to work the arms, shoulders, feet, and core and shift the balance from arm to leg and from the left to the right limbs, and vice versa. My first few attempts at rock climbing left me completely drained of physical strength!” adds Nikhil Kapur.
Regular rock climbing helps boost your stamina and lung capacity. It involves sustained physical effort, which improves cardiovascular health. That being said, it’s crucial to rock climb with proper training, equipment, and safety precautions. If you are a beginner, it’s advisable to take a few lessons or practise with experienced rock climbers at the start.
