If you’re looking to rejuvenate your training regime or are seeking a fresh challenge, it’s time to leave the gym behind. Instead, why not test yourself at rock climbing? It’s a physical, adrenaline-inducing workout that gets you back in touch with your primal side. Not convinced? You should be as it can yield impressive results.
The British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that an indoor climbing session is the equivalent of running at a pace of 8–11mins per mile, while an hour-long ascent can burn over 800kcals (for a man weighing 70kg). So, if you’re looking for another way to increase your cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle endurance, drop those dumbbells and hit that wall.
As a starting point, you’ll want to consider two types of climbing: bouldering (or “free climbing”) and top-rope climbing. The former is low height, rope-free climbing over crash mats so there’s no risk of serious injury. Routes for bouldering are graded by difficulty and little equipment is required: climbing shoes and a chalk bag will usually do you. Better still, you don’t need any qualifications to get started. Both are on offer in the UAE.
In comparison, top-rope climbing goes higher, requires ropes and harnesses (and the easy-to-achieve qualifications to use them), and dictates that you must have a buddy ‘spotting’ for you on the ground.
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