Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Using A Rock Climbing Wall

By Kelly Wood


There are a lot of benefits to using a rock climbing wall. It is a good way to learn climbing skills before tackling mountains. For people who are afraid of heights it is a safe way of confronting their fear. Choosing the right one can give you an excellent workout and develop a useful skill.

In order to develop you first need to find the right venue. There are some clubs and societies where people meet up to learn how to develop their skills together. As well as helping to improve your ability it is also a good way to socialize and to meet new people. A lot of life long friendships and relationships develop as a result of these kind of groups so it is often worth trying just for that reason alone.

A better approach is to prepare yourself before a climb, both in terms of mental preparation and physical development. Spend a bit of time in the gym developing your arms, legs and core. An instructor or experienced employee ought to be able to show you the most effective exercises that will allow you to develop your muscles before you begin a climb.

Before you begin a climb it is recommended you do strengthening exercises. Use squeeze balls to improve your grip and weights to increase the strength in your arms. If a gym has it use a low bar so that you can practice static hanging. Over time this will then make it easier to do so when you climb.

Core strengthening exercises are also important. Leg raises and dumb bell side bends are good examples of core strengthening. This will make it easier for your arms and legs to work in harmony as you climb. Lunges and squats are good to improve the power in your legs, something that can often be overlooked.

Remember before you start to warm up. Get your hands and feet warmed up as well as your arms and legs. You should then find that you are able to do your first climb without getting cramps, something that may put people off when they do it for the first time and forget to properly warm up. As with any exercise make sure you have a bottle of water with you and wear loose clothing for ease of movement.

When you climb it is recommended you focus on what is known as the 8 foot bubble. This is the area around you away from other climbers. It helps you to focus on the climb rather than any distractions that may cause you to slip or fall. Over time this will become easier.

As with any exercise using a rock climbing wall is about starting small and building up. When you become more confident you will be able to do more advanced routes. Trying harder ones to soon is not only demotivating but can also increase the risk of injury so it is better to start gradually and focus on long term progression. Look online to find walls in your local area as well as more tips and demonstration videos to help you develop your skills.




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