Fit, Healthy Self Blog

I just returned from the 2008 USA Climbing Nationals held in Sunnyvale, CA at the climbing gym Planet Granite. A climbing gym is a great place to see really strong people that aren’t necessarily the body builder type in action.  At this comp were kids from ages 5 - 19 all competing for a place on the USA climbing team or maybe just for fun. The US Team is competing in Sydney Australia in youth worlds at the end of August.

My daughter had an invitation to this event but broke her leg too close to the comp date so we watched all her friends and team members compete instead. She started on the local climbing team in Michigan at Planet Rock when she was nine years old. The first time she climbed was when she was five.

The reason she started was me.  I took her to the gym for her to try it out and she loved it. I don’t climb anywhere close to the level she does. However, when I climb regularly I’m in better shape than working out with a personal trainer three days per week. 

Climbing has to be one of the easiest and most beneficial sports a person can do. “What if I’m afraid of heights” a person may ask. Well no need to worry. You can climb around the bottom of your gym two feet off the ground. It’s called bouldering. People specialize in bouldering at competitions. However, these serious folks will climb up twenty feet high then jump down on a crash pad.  I don’t recommend this approach.

Try this; you can go alone or with another person. Find your local climbing establishment. Rent a pair of climbing shoes (wear socks with rental shoes). Climb sideways around the bottom of the gym for as long as you can stay on the wall. When your arms are tired take a rest.

When you first start out your may get tired after 3-4 moves but don’t let this discourage you.  Try again 4-5 times then call it a day.  In between climbing shake out your arms or rub them to remove lactic acid. Make sure to go both ways on the wall and try going up a few feet also. Do this three times a week for a month, increasing your duration as you get stronger and I guarantee you will be feeling so much stronger and powerful than before you started.

I’d also recommend going on a top rope.  You’ll need a partner to belay you (hold the rope incase you fall). The gym will set you up with instruction at a low cost, then you’ll be able to climb anytime. If you have an aversion to heights, you can use the top rope to gently gert used to this and overcome or deal with your fear of heights. Just go up to a height you feel comfortable at, come down, then next time go one move farther. You’ll be safe at the gym if you follow the safety guidelines.

Have fun and Cimb-on!

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