Reach For the Top

Fitness comes much easier when friends are around. We all know that "work-out" partners work better—and the best way to get fit faster is when a workout is more like play than work. So get your group together and have some fun!

What it is: Climbing is an activity in which you move up a wall, natural or manmade, similar to climbing the stairs and scrambling up a steep hill but with finesse and precision. Add in the skills you used on the monkey bars and the slide of your childhood playground and voila! You’re climbing. Climbing is not difficult to learn, but indeed, there are a few tricks to learn.

What it takes: No big muscles necessary. Vertigo? Not a problem! Many people think it takes upper arm strength to pull yourself up a rock or climbing wall, but it’s really a matter of using your legs, rather than your arms. You push yourself up, like climbing a ladder. Flexibility and some leg strength are helpful, but not necessary. As for people afraid of heights, climbing indoors will most likely not trigger that fear. Since you’re tied in, there is very little chance of falling. The only thing more you need to get you going is an adventurous attitude.

How it works you: Climbing is uniquely performed to provide a full body workout. For strength training, power moves on overhanging walls will work all the major muscle groups: back, chest, abs, arms, legs, gluts. It will also work the smaller muscles that are hard to target with traditional workouts: forearms, hands, fingers, hips and shins, and even neck. This is an anaerobic workout that is possible for anyone. It will hone the physique of an athletic participant and challenge the strongest of gym rats. Other intrinsic benefits are improved flexibility and balance.

Get your gear on: Climbing gyms provide all the necessary equipment for climbing the walls, professional staffing to instruct your group in a fun and friendly manner, and full use of the facility.

Clothing

What you wear is personal preference. You can use shorts, pants, or tights for the bottom; and tank tops or T-shirts as top. Wear something comfortable and that is not restrictive. Breathable material is best.

Shoes

You want to make sure they fit properly and feel comfortable. Try on the shoe and make sure it is comfortably tight. You don’t want the shoe to be loose or to be cutting off the circulation.

Carabiners

These handy gadgets are used to hook things together. You’ll only need one to start out with. It'll be used to attach your belay device to your harness.

Harness

A harness is worn for safety. It is attached to a rope to protect you from falling. You want to make sure that it fits comfortably around your waist and thighs.

Belay Device

This metal device is what your rope hooks through.

Chalk and Chalk Bag

Chalk is used on climbers' hands to give them a better grip on the rock. A chalk bag is used to hold chalk. It is attached to a harness.

Helpful Pointers: To ensure safety, people climb in pairs, to use a rope and harness to belay. Belaying is the art of attaching two climbers to each other and the wall. One person climbs and the other secures the rope so that when the climber falls and/or is through with a climb they will be safely lowered to the ground. This safety procedure requires lessons, which the instructors will gladly provide. In wall climbing it is necessary to take a lesson, primarily because someone's life may depend on your skill. You'll learn to trust your belayer and let yourself be lowered to the ground.

Here is a list of climbing commands:

Climber: "On belay" (asking the belayer if he’s ready)

Belayer: "Belay On" (belayer responding that he’s ready)

Climber: "Climbing" (telling the belayer that the climb is beginning)

Belayer: "Climb on" (belayer acknowledging the start of the climb)

Closing: While there is no argument that climbing provides all these benefits, let’s not overlook a major component dedication to fun. Climbing gyms such as Play Underground promotes an atmosphere of camaraderie giving people not only workout to enjoy, but a sense of accomplishment and increased self-confidence. While you’re busy having fun, you’ll be challenging your mind in new ways and sparking creativity. While getting a great workout you’ll be improving your strength and flexibility. While building a physique to be smug about, you'll be building great memories with old friends and building new friendships.