5 reasons to start climbing

Reach new heights with 5 reasons to start climbing…

Whatever happened to our sense of adventure? Childhood hobbies like climbing trees and jungle frames start to become more frightening than fun as we grow up! However, the popularity of climbing is on the rise. Rob Adie, the British Mountaineering Council’s Competitions development officer, has revealed that according to Sport England, the number of women aged 16+ who go ‘mountaineering’ at least once a month has doubled from 44,000 to 84,800 since 2006.

This noticeable rise has helped secure a successful outcome for the campaign to make climbing an official Olympic sport. ‘It’s only right that sport climbing has been accepted as an Olympic discipline for Tokyo 2020.’ Rob remarked. ‘Climbing is the embodiment of the Olympic motto, ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ and brings with it enormous mental and physical health benefits.’

Molly Thompson-Smith, an ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council, the Captain of GB Climbing and the UK’s number one lead climber in both the senior women and junior female categories, can’t wait to see climbing on the world stage at the Olympics. ‘It’s so exciting to see climbing become an Olympic sport – it’s something we campaigned hard to achieve but even now it’s been confirmed it’s still kind of crazy that it’s happened. It’s just a beautiful sport.”

Climbing is an amazing sport that will work your entire body from head to toe and give you an adrenaline rush unparalleled with any other activity. With these 5 reasons to start climbing, we have no doubt you’ll be up a mountain in no time.

Get a total workout

When you go climbing, you’re combining both cardio and strength training in one workout. You use your upper body strength to pull yourself up, your legs to push your body up from below, your core to maintain balance and you need a strong grip to hold on in tricky spots. You’ll work your entire body without even realising it.

Tone up

While you’re climbing, you’re engaging several different muscle groups. ‘In physical terms, it uses lots of muscle groups, both in the upper and lower body,’ says Molly. ‘Your back, abdominal and leg muscles all get a proper workout, as well as your fingers, shoulders and arms.’ Not only will you see your stamina and endurance levels increase as you climb, but your muscles will also become much stronger and more toned.

Feel bendy

Climbing requires you to stretch your body further than you ever thought possible. You may be wondering how on earth you could excel at climbing if you can’t even touch your toes, but don’t worry. As you test your limits by grabbing onto handholds and footholds that you may have once thought were too far away, you’ll notice your flexibility improving immensely.

Release your stress

Whatever’s stressing you out, the best way to set your mind at ease is to distract yourself. Climbing is just as much a mental activity as a physical one, which Molly made very clear: ‘What a lot of people don’t realise is that climbing is very much a mental game too – you’re constantly problem solving. You’re so focused that everything else in your mind just fades away – it’s a great stress buster and brilliant for sharpening your concentration.’ Climbing increases your body’s levels of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that helps to release stress. Norepinephrine levels reach their highest during situations of stress or danger, such as when you’re gripping onto a rock for dear life (with the help of a harness, of course).

Conquer your fears

Fear of heights and fear of falling are two of the most common fears found among human beings. However, the best way to overcome a fear is to face it head on. You could miss out on life’s greatest adventures simply because you were too afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Conquering your fears will build your self-esteem and boost your confidence.