Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tips For Climbing Movement, Mentality, and Technique Skills

The proliferation of climbing gyms has rapidly changed the climbing sport scene. Now, people who otherwise would be too scared to try rock climbing are flocking to gyms. As a result, the sport is growing at an exponential rate. People are progressing from easy 5.7 grade climbs to more difficult 5.10+ climbs at an unprecedented speed. Gyms make climbing a spectator sport where people go to see and be seen. There are simple things that you can do to improve your climbing ability, at any level. In this article, I will discuss tips for climbing better through movement, technique, mentality, and training.


The abundance of strong climbers can be daunting to the beginner. It is important not to become discouraged by comparing your climbing level to those who have been climbing longer. Remember not to put yourself down. For example, don't tell yourself that you are a slow climber. Instead, say that you are climbing slowly. See the difference? You have the potential to learn from your mistakes and, in time, become an amazing climber. Learning and development is the journey, and you must accept that you will improve over time. Instead, try to learn from the other climbers by watching their movement. Where are their feet when they climb? How do they shift their body weight? Do they look relaxed or strained? Are their movements deliberate?

Let's talk about the mental state of climbing. This is often overlooked by people when they are learning to climb. You must not try to rush through a route too quickly. Remember to relax. The best climbers do not try to defeat their route. Instead, they observe the climb, and work with it. Their body flows effortlessly through the moves, and they appear relaxed. Your goal should be to climb as smoothly as possible, not to merely finish the climb. Above all else, you must remember to breathe. Breathing relaxes you and provides vital oxygen to the body. It also helps disperse lactic acid build up in your muscles. Many beginners hold their breath while climbing. This almost always results in them becoming stressed and exhausted.

Observe the climb before you begin. Picture yourself successfully progressing through each of the moves. Have a positive attitude, and tell yourself that you can succeed. Take a few deep breaths before you begin the climb. When you are on the wall, let your mind go blank. It is easier to get into the zone of climbing when you are not thinking about failure, or who is watching you. One of the wonderful aspects of climbing is the freedom that you can feel on the wall. You are leaving your problems behind on the ground. While you climb, focus on your movement. While climbing, focus on the present. Don't worry about the moves to come. Instead, focus on the next two moves. Climbers often speak of their 8-foot bubble of awareness. They don't think about how high they are. They are conscious only of the task at hand.

When you fall off of a route, do not get discouraged. Through falling, you will learn how to climb better. Also, holding your muscles until they cannot grip anymore is the best way to gain muscle endurance. Consider your falls a stepping stone to success and better ability. Even the best climbers have "high gravity days".

Climb at your level. Although it is fun to attempt climbs that are difficult for you, it is best to climb mostly within your level. Know what you can climb and focus instead on your movement. When you are climbing outside of your ability, you will make more desperate moves and you will not be working on technique. Do not over-reach or use too much energy. Make every move deliberate. Work on shifting your weight.

Remember to always warm up on easier climbs before attempting harder ones. Warming up is better for your body, and it will allow you to climb stronger longer. I can climb 5.11s in the gym, but I always start with 5.8s and 5.9s. I once made the mistake of climbing a 5.12+ without warming up after taking 2 weeks off of climbing. My arms pumped out extremely fast, and I could not climb at any level for the rest of the night.

Accept that you will be sore after climbing. People who climb a lot are often sore after climbing hard. Also, you must take breaks from climbing. Climbing hard everyday increases your risk of injury. I have heard many horror stories of people of climbed hard too many days in a row, and ended up hurting their hands. Rehabilitation can take months, and it is not worth the risk. Besides, your muscles rebuild and grow during the time that you are resting. When you come back to climbing, you will feel stronger and more capable.

Remember to keep your balance while climbing. This is vital to your success. Notice how it feels to shift your weight from your hands to your feet. Instead of relying on your hands to pull yourself up from hold to hold, use your feet. Good climbing is achieved mostly through your footwork. Instead of straining yourself to reach the next hold, notice how shifting your feet even just a few inches can give you the extra height you need. Even when you do not have a better foot hold, you can "smear" your climbing shoe on the wall itself. This is achieved by pushing your foot against the wall and pressing down and stepping up. You will be surprised by how well your shoe can stick to the wall.

Take breaks while you climb. You will find yourself at rest spots on a route that feel more secure. Get comfortable, shake out your hands, and breathe. You can even sit in your harness if you like. Clap your hands to increase blood circulation.

Remember to use your skeletal system when you climb. Instead of flexing your arms needlessly, you can lean back and extend your arms out straight. Your skeleton can handle your weight without pumping out your arms. This is a secret that many climbers do not know. Try it out next time you are climbing.

I suggest both bouldering and top roping every time you go to the gym, even if you prefer one style. Bouldering with give you practice with weight shifting and power moves, and tall wall roped climbing will give you vital endurance. It is important to train in all parts of climbing.

Finally, once you are feeling confidant about climbing, you can teach others what you now know. By teaching, you are solidifying what you understand about the mental and physical aspects of climbing. It's fun to climb with others, so find yourself some climbing partners, and get to it. With a little persistence, you will become a better climber.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4362711

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Introduction To Starting Rock Climbing

If you've been climbing before, then you'll know that this is not an easy sport, in fact, you probably felt quite overcome at first tried to make a serious escalation. Interior and rock climbing are both extremely demanding and require practice, like anything else, get good at. Depending on the type of climbing you try you probably noticed that you've got a tremendous workout in a very short time. What most people do not realize is that sport climbing is a sport most physically demanding and mentally he is.

There are 3 basic types of rock climbing. roping is probably one of the most common types and is basically climbing with a partner. The partner you belay on the ground and a rope from the harness goes to the top of the wall, then around a pulley and down and attaches to the harness of the climber. The second type, which is very similar to the mill is called lead climbing. The buddy system works the same way a man on the ground and the other belaying climbing, but this time instead of the string being at the top of the wall must be hung in clasps that the climber ascends along the wall. In both types of climbing the climber the luxury of sitting on the wall and resting on the rope, however, lead climbing requires the climber to hang on the wall with one hand, grasp and pull the rope clip in the clasp, it can be very difficult depending on many different things.

The third type of climbing is called a block. The block is a type of free climbing without ropes or harnesses. Climbers tend to stay closer to the ground and climbs around the wall all the more so on the wall. It is the most demanding of all climbing. The climber must be able to finish the road without taking a rest on the rope. Often, at a road block to the climber is required to make a maneuver called dyno. Dynos are essentially getting started on the wall, then clung to a wall further away from you. This type of maneuver is where mental training plays a major role in the escalation.

Believe it or not, climbing is said to be about 75% of legs and only 25% of arms. To mount effective and successful, you must use a wonderful technique. One of the main rules of climbing is to always have 3 points to hit the wall .... weather like two feet and a hand or a foot and two hands, it is much easier to have your weight is distributed over 3 points than it is 2. Another important concept to understand is that your arms in most cases will not escalate, they are standing in the wall so that your legs are actually pushing you up. The closer you are to the wall, the easier it is to ride.

Climbing may seem a little too extreme for the person every day, but it's really a tremendous job. Once you enter the sport and begin to learn to position your body and distribute your weight you can begin to tackle some difficult problems. The great thing about climbing is that it is tough mentally as well, those who like games like chess or solve problems as would the love of climbing. You are constantly analyzing how your body moves and how to do some movements on the wall. For those who want to get in shape, climbing is a fun and effective for toning muscles and work on your cardiovascular system. Any person who is physically active, enjoys a challenge and loves the outdoors should consider when climbing as a new time.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Information On The Safety Tips For Rock Climbing


Adventure sports attract a lot of different people, but the common aspect in them all is the fact that they are looking for a thrill, an adrenalin rush, a way to feel a rush and this feeling unites them all. There are a number of adventure sports out there - sky diving, white water rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding, deep sea diving, rock climbing, etc.

Rock climbing is a sport that many people are drawn to. It is very exciting and you need a lot of stamina, endurance and balance to be any good at it. You also need spectacular hand-eye co-ordination. It is always going to be extremely demanding, physically and mentally. If you are just starting out then it will be a good idea to take an introductory class t help you learn the basics of this sport.

There are a few safety tips for rock climbing that are applicable to all climbers, even if you have been doing it for a good number of years.

• Planning each step in your mind before you take the step is very important for your safety. You must literally map out the next step in your head and see if the step is feasible for you to make. If it is ok in your mind only then can you take the step successfully. You should also remember not to move too fast. Every step you take must be a deliberate one, made only after taking into consideration the prevailing weather conditions.

• Working with the rock will deliver better results. Each rock has its own characteristics and therefore there are different techniques to help you climb it carefully and efficiently. This means that you should try to study the rock and make sure you are using the right technique for the right rock. Not using the steep rock technique on a steep flat rock wall can lead to bad accidents.

• Remember not to look too far down. When you are climbing, at the back of your head you will always be aware that you are pretty high up. But the more you look down the more fear might start to take over you. When looking down only look as far down as to see your feet and to make sure they are properly aligned to keep you balanced.

• Always do your homework. Watching experts is a great way to learn. Using their techniques can be very beneficial to you. also it is a good thing to remember is that learning from your own mistakes can be very important but you cannot make all the mistakes on your own so read up on the accidents that have occurred can help you not to make the same errors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5781424

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tips For Climbing Movement, Mentality, and Technique Skills

The proliferation of climbing gyms has rapidly changed the climbing sport scene. Now, people who otherwise would be too scared to try rock climbing are flocking to gyms. As a result, the sport is growing at an exponential rate. People are progressing from easy 5.7 grade climbs to more difficult 5.10+ climbs at an unprecedented speed. Gyms make climbing a spectator sport where people go to see and be seen. There are simple things that you can do to improve your climbing ability, at any level. In this article, I will discuss tips for climbing better through movement, technique, mentality, and training.


The abundance of strong climbers can be daunting to the beginner. It is important not to become discouraged by comparing your climbing level to those who have been climbing longer. Remember not to put yourself down. For example, don't tell yourself that you are a slow climber. Instead, say that you are climbing slowly. See the difference? You have the potential to learn from your mistakes and, in time, become an amazing climber. Learning and development is the journey, and you must accept that you will improve over time. Instead, try to learn from the other climbers by watching their movement. Where are their feet when they climb? How do they shift their body weight? Do they look relaxed or strained? Are their movements deliberate?

Let's talk about the mental state of climbing. This is often overlooked by people when they are learning to climb. You must not try to rush through a route too quickly. Remember to relax. The best climbers do not try to defeat their route. Instead, they observe the climb, and work with it. Their body flows effortlessly through the moves, and they appear relaxed. Your goal should be to climb as smoothly as possible, not to merely finish the climb. Above all else, you must remember to breathe. Breathing relaxes you and provides vital oxygen to the body. It also helps disperse lactic acid build up in your muscles. Many beginners hold their breath while climbing. This almost always results in them becoming stressed and exhausted.

Observe the climb before you begin. Picture yourself successfully progressing through each of the moves. Have a positive attitude, and tell yourself that you can succeed. Take a few deep breaths before you begin the climb. When you are on the wall, let your mind go blank. It is easier to get into the zone of climbing when you are not thinking about failure, or who is watching you. One of the wonderful aspects of climbing is the freedom that you can feel on the wall. You are leaving your problems behind on the ground. While you climb, focus on your movement. While climbing, focus on the present. Don't worry about the moves to come. Instead, focus on the next two moves. Climbers often speak of their 8-foot bubble of awareness. They don't think about how high they are. They are conscious only of the task at hand.

When you fall off of a route, do not get discouraged. Through falling, you will learn how to climb better. Also, holding your muscles until they cannot grip anymore is the best way to gain muscle endurance. Consider your falls a stepping stone to success and better ability. Even the best climbers have "high gravity days".

Climb at your level. Although it is fun to attempt climbs that are difficult for you, it is best to climb mostly within your level. Know what you can climb and focus instead on your movement. When you are climbing outside of your ability, you will make more desperate moves and you will not be working on technique. Do not over-reach or use too much energy. Make every move deliberate. Work on shifting your weight.

Remember to always warm up on easier climbs before attempting harder ones. Warming up is better for your body, and it will allow you to climb stronger longer. I can climb 5.11s in the gym, but I always start with 5.8s and 5.9s. I once made the mistake of climbing a 5.12+ without warming up after taking 2 weeks off of climbing. My arms pumped out extremely fast, and I could not climb at any level for the rest of the night.

Accept that you will be sore after climbing. People who climb a lot are often sore after climbing hard. Also, you must take breaks from climbing. Climbing hard everyday increases your risk of injury. I have heard many horror stories of people of climbed hard too many days in a row, and ended up hurting their hands. Rehabilitation can take months, and it is not worth the risk. Besides, your muscles rebuild and grow during the time that you are resting. When you come back to climbing, you will feel stronger and more capable.

Remember to keep your balance while climbing. This is vital to your success. Notice how it feels to shift your weight from your hands to your feet. Instead of relying on your hands to pull yourself up from hold to hold, use your feet. Good climbing is achieved mostly through your footwork. Instead of straining yourself to reach the next hold, notice how shifting your feet even just a few inches can give you the extra height you need. Even when you do not have a better foot hold, you can "smear" your climbing shoe on the wall itself. This is achieved by pushing your foot against the wall and pressing down and stepping up. You will be surprised by how well your shoe can stick to the wall.

Take breaks while you climb. You will find yourself at rest spots on a route that feel more secure. Get comfortable, shake out your hands, and breathe. You can even sit in your harness if you like. Clap your hands to increase blood circulation.

Remember to use your skeletal system when you climb. Instead of flexing your arms needlessly, you can lean back and extend your arms out straight. Your skeleton can handle your weight without pumping out your arms. This is a secret that many climbers do not know. Try it out next time you are climbing.

I suggest both bouldering and top roping every time you go to the gym, even if you prefer one style. Bouldering with give you practice with weight shifting and power moves, and tall wall roped climbing will give you vital endurance. It is important to train in all parts of climbing.

Finally, once you are feeling confidant about climbing, you can teach others what you now know. By teaching, you are solidifying what you understand about the mental and physical aspects of climbing. It's fun to climb with others, so find yourself some climbing partners, and get to it. With a little persistence, you will become a better climber.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4362711

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Introduction To Starting Rock Climbing

If you've been climbing before, then you'll know that this is not an easy sport, in fact, you probably felt quite overcome at first tried to make a serious escalation. Interior and rock climbing are both extremely demanding and require practice, like anything else, get good at. Depending on the type of climbing you try you probably noticed that you've got a tremendous workout in a very short time. What most people do not realize is that sport climbing is a sport most physically demanding and mentally he is.

There are 3 basic types of rock climbing. roping is probably one of the most common types and is basically climbing with a partner. The partner you belay on the ground and a rope from the harness goes to the top of the wall, then around a pulley and down and attaches to the harness of the climber. The second type, which is very similar to the mill is called lead climbing. The buddy system works the same way a man on the ground and the other belaying climbing, but this time instead of the string being at the top of the wall must be hung in clasps that the climber ascends along the wall. In both types of climbing the climber the luxury of sitting on the wall and resting on the rope, however, lead climbing requires the climber to hang on the wall with one hand, grasp and pull the rope clip in the clasp, it can be very difficult depending on many different things.

The third type of climbing is called a block. The block is a type of free climbing without ropes or harnesses. Climbers tend to stay closer to the ground and climbs around the wall all the more so on the wall. It is the most demanding of all climbing. The climber must be able to finish the road without taking a rest on the rope. Often, at a road block to the climber is required to make a maneuver called dyno. Dynos are essentially getting started on the wall, then clung to a wall further away from you. This type of maneuver is where mental training plays a major role in the escalation.

Believe it or not, climbing is said to be about 75% of legs and only 25% of arms. To mount effective and successful, you must use a wonderful technique. One of the main rules of climbing is to always have 3 points to hit the wall .... weather like two feet and a hand or a foot and two hands, it is much easier to have your weight is distributed over 3 points than it is 2. Another important concept to understand is that your arms in most cases will not escalate, they are standing in the wall so that your legs are actually pushing you up. The closer you are to the wall, the easier it is to ride.

Climbing may seem a little too extreme for the person every day, but it's really a tremendous job. Once you enter the sport and begin to learn to position your body and distribute your weight you can begin to tackle some difficult problems. The great thing about climbing is that it is tough mentally as well, those who like games like chess or solve problems as would the love of climbing. You are constantly analyzing how your body moves and how to do some movements on the wall. For those who want to get in shape, climbing is a fun and effective for toning muscles and work on your cardiovascular system. Any person who is physically active, enjoys a challenge and loves the outdoors should consider when climbing as a new time.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Information On The Safety Tips For Rock Climbing


Adventure sports attract a lot of different people, but the common aspect in them all is the fact that they are looking for a thrill, an adrenalin rush, a way to feel a rush and this feeling unites them all. There are a number of adventure sports out there - sky diving, white water rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding, deep sea diving, rock climbing, etc.

Rock climbing is a sport that many people are drawn to. It is very exciting and you need a lot of stamina, endurance and balance to be any good at it. You also need spectacular hand-eye co-ordination. It is always going to be extremely demanding, physically and mentally. If you are just starting out then it will be a good idea to take an introductory class t help you learn the basics of this sport.

There are a few safety tips for rock climbing that are applicable to all climbers, even if you have been doing it for a good number of years.

• Planning each step in your mind before you take the step is very important for your safety. You must literally map out the next step in your head and see if the step is feasible for you to make. If it is ok in your mind only then can you take the step successfully. You should also remember not to move too fast. Every step you take must be a deliberate one, made only after taking into consideration the prevailing weather conditions.

• Working with the rock will deliver better results. Each rock has its own characteristics and therefore there are different techniques to help you climb it carefully and efficiently. This means that you should try to study the rock and make sure you are using the right technique for the right rock. Not using the steep rock technique on a steep flat rock wall can lead to bad accidents.

• Remember not to look too far down. When you are climbing, at the back of your head you will always be aware that you are pretty high up. But the more you look down the more fear might start to take over you. When looking down only look as far down as to see your feet and to make sure they are properly aligned to keep you balanced.

• Always do your homework. Watching experts is a great way to learn. Using their techniques can be very beneficial to you. also it is a good thing to remember is that learning from your own mistakes can be very important but you cannot make all the mistakes on your own so read up on the accidents that have occurred can help you not to make the same errors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5781424