I have always been attracted to rock climbing. As a teen, I watched Cliff Hanger and thought it was cool. It’s a daring sport. Granite Planet is a local climbing club that I discovered last year. The club holds weekly indoor sessions, but also regularly takes trips to rock climbing spots in Cornwall and elsewhere. My girlfriend and I joined up. We were all so friendly and helpful, everyone taught us how to tie the basics knots. It’s not yet time to go outside. I need to be confident enough on indoor walls before I venture out. Each week, I’m getting better. I feel more confident when climbing, even though it’s a challenge. My girlfriend and I have been climbing for only 4 months, but we love it. We love having a shared hobby and developing our skills. Anyone who wants to climb has a lot of reasons. We have listed our top 5 reasons for climbing:
1. GEAR CHEAP/LITTLE
It’s not about looking cool, but it is meant to keep you safe. What I love about climbing, however, is the price. You can rent all sorts of gear at most indoor climbing gyms, but I recommend getting your own climbing shoes. It was obvious that I did not want to buy shoes until after I had been there a couple of times and I knew how much I enjoyed it. My girlfriend was wearing her trainers and I wore my Van shoes. Both were fine but made it harder to hold onto small holds. When a climbing store came to Granite Planet we knew it was the right time to buy some new shoes. My fellow climbers gave me a lot advice and so did the staff at the store to ensure that I chose shoes that fit correctly. They were pretty tight and had no movement. Nothing was digging into your feet, and my toes were straight and not curled. These were the ones I chose and never looked back. My climbing improved greatly since I got them. Now, with better grip on the walls and the ability to “smear” the wall using the shoes’ friction when there aren’t any holds available has been made easier. These shoes cost about PS60, which is the same amount I would spend on good running sneakers.
Some other essentials for indoor climbing include:
- This nylon harness is worn around your legs and waist to allow you to hang with little effort.
- Belay device: A mechanical device that creates friction while someone belays (basically, holding on to the opposite end of the line! ).
- The metal clip is spring-loaded and used for fastening ropes.
- Chalk Bag : It’s exactly what you think it is – a bag that contains chalk. This product absorbs sweat from your hands and prevents you from slipping when climbing. The same product is used by gymnasts.
All of these things were found on eBay to keep costs low. It’s better to buy them yourself if they’re in good condition, otherwise you will have to hire them, which is more expensive. You won’t have to purchase these things again for many years.
Joining a climbing club can help you get better deals on climbing, and you’ll also be able to find other people who want to go. To find the nearest BMC centre, and browse through their website, visit .
2. Indoor Fun / FUN
You can tell that I enjoy climbing. There’s nothing more exciting than climbing a wall and then being suspended for an hour while your partner holds you. Couples can communicate, help each other figure out tricky routes and praise each other when they do well. We can climb indoors, no matter what the weather. We have been climbing despite the constant rain. It’s also more enjoyable than watching TV in the rain. The centre’s hours are open every day until 10pm, making it easy to accommodate our hectic schedules.
3. FRIENDS/TEAMWORK
Check if your local climbing centre offers an introduction session. It’s a great way to see if it suits you. A member of the local climbing club came to introduce himself and then showed us the knots. After spending half the time with us, she let us go and try on our own. We have become friends with many of the regulars since joining the club and attending weekly sessions. It’s great how everyone helps. Someone will be always there to offer encouragement or instructions if I get stuck while climbing up an arduous route. Someone will be available to give me advice on how to best climb a new route that I’ve never tried or to show me what they do. The community is very supportive and friendly.
4. Fitness
It’s not cardio, but it can be a great way to stay fit. It works your lower and upper bodies, as well as the abs, fingers, shoulders, and arms. The way I use my body to reach and stretch for holds has improved my flexibility and agility. It’s only once a month, but I feel the benefits. You can get more out of your work-out by using Maximumnutrition nutrition if you are really committed. This is a great sport that keeps you healthy and active.
5. PIZZLING/PROBLEM SOLVER
Rock climbing, while it is a simple matter of climbing up a rock wall, also provides a challenge for the mind. It can be an objective to reach the summit in the fastest time, or to try a different route. Or to keep on trying the difficult route. The route is the first thing I consider before climbing any wall. Then I decide on how to climb the wall, for example. What foot to use, which hand I should lean on, how high or low I should jump, etc. Sometimes, I have to just improvise to reach the top. Once I am back at ground level, I like to analyze the route. I can then determine what worked and what did not.
A great tip to follow is watching other experienced climbers try the route. Sometimes they use techniques I have never seen or use an arm that is different from mine. It’s good to learn from others’ techniques and see their progress.
It’s great to be able track my progress. All climbs have a number or letter assigned to them. The climbs are graded from A to C and 3-7 at our center. Every week, I’ll try new routes in my current 5C level. I find them challenging, but doable. When they get easier, I will decide to go up a grade. No one is forcing me to move up a grade. It’s just what I like to do. There is no greater satisfaction than solving a difficult problem.