By Kris Koonar
Rock climbing is seen as the most challenging adventure sport these days. More and more people are getting attracted toward this sport. The reason for this is because it allows people to challenge themselves and get exercise with the benefits of enjoying fresh and clean mountain air.
The advantage of rock climbing is that it can be done both indoors and outdoors. For the nature lovers, outdoor climbing is the way to go. And for those who do not like getting dirty, indoor climbing is the solution. The advantage of it being an indoor and outdoor sport is what makes rock climbing a popular and year-round sport. Remember, climbing is not for the faint-of-heart. -- It's for those who do not mind taking risks and overcoming their fears.
Physical benefits of rock climbing
One of the main reasons people take up climbing is because of its physical benefits. Some people are very health conscious and fitness is a big deal to them. So if gymnasiums get boring, then rock climbing is the best option for you.
Most people think rock climbing is a sport for men; this is not true, at all. More and more women are taking up this sport to enjoy the outdoors and challenge herself in a (previously thought of) man's world.
Rock climbing involves a lot of stretching. This is because when you are on a rock or crag, you will have to stretch and reach out to a hold to pull yourself up. Stretching is a great way to improve physical conditioning and flexibility. When you are indulging in climbing you also get the benefit of improved balance and hand-leg coordination.
Rock climbing helps you stay in shape. It helps you:
*Develop muscle tone
*Improve flexibility
*Ensure balance
*Improve coordination
*Enhance physical focus
*Burn calories
Remember, before you start climbing, do some warm-up exercises. Warming up is of utmost importance, because without it you are prone to injury and harm.
Mental benefits of rock climbing
We all know that exercising makes you feel good. The reason for this is the happy hormones (endorphins), which are released when you exercise. Climbing is a another sport that makes you feel good about yourself. It is a challenging and difficult sport, and when you reach the top of a rock or crag, the feeling of accomplishment is unbeatable.
People are social beings; we do things in pairs or groups. The feeling of being a social person, combined with the fun and experience of climbing, helps relive stress.
Rock climbing makes people confident and builds their self-esteem. If you can climb the difficult and almost impossible rock you never thought you could, you can do almost anything else in the world. This makes you feel capable and self-assured.
Rock climbing also makes the climber more responsible and helps build trust. Responsibility comes with understanding the dangers and risks involved in climbing, and by respecting nature. The climber has to be responsible enough to take his own safety into his hands.
Also, trust comes with trusting and putting your life and safety into the hands of the instructor, initially ... and later by trusting the rope and climbing gear. Trust is a major part of climbing.
Rock climbing can be fun and exciting if you go about it the right way. Learn about the dangers of climbing and you should be fine. Remember to warm-up, as you would before any sport, as this will help protect you from harm and injury.
Source: physicalfitnessarticles.net
