So you are planning upon practicing bouldering – a good choice! But there is a ton of ground work that has to be done as bouldering is not just about climbing and descending, it is a much more complicated part of rock climbing. The first part of the ground work is toning your your body and muscles. Chief requirements of bouldering are a toned body, flexibility, great muscle power, light weight and a good respiration. All these factors contribute to effective and safe climbing. In order to achieve such a level of physical fitness, you will need to do lots of exercise, such as frequent swimming, running, swift walking and push us and pull ups. In addition, gym work outs and Yoga will add to the benefit, as they will enhance respiration, flexibility and muscle toning. Once you have completed this ground work, to your satisfaction you may proceed to the actual climbing. Read on extreme sports

Bouldering Techniques #1: Warm Up and Get Ready
The first bouldering technique says, don’t touch the rock at all! Ok, just kidding. The first step before you undertake any bouldering activity is to warm up your body and have an equipment check. Warming up your body and working up a mild sweat is absolutely essential due to the fact that a warmed up body has a better response and reflex, not to mention a greater ability to exert power and strength. It would also prevent your muscles from cramping up and in addition to that oxygen and blood will reach to every possible corner of your body. Once you are done proceed to the rock face and make some basic holds, with both your hands and feet. Once you feel that you are ready, have a look at the rope, waist harness, carabiner and descender. Now you are ready to surmount the rock.

Bouldering Techniques #2: Read the Route and Feel the Rock
The next important technique is to read the route or rather plan the route on the rock face that you wish to take. You will need to visualize and analyze the route that you want to take up. Hence, just plan out your foot holds and hand holds, if possible along fissure or cracks in the rock face. It is also advisable to visualize each hold and the route. It must be taken into consideration that you might need to alter the plan, during the actual climb. Hence, it is wise to spot and memorize alternative holds. A common mistake that many people make is to ignore the descend. It is also important that you visualize the descend, since not all ascend holds can be used for a safe descend. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are someone who is interested in adventure sports or extreme sports, especially something like rock climbing, but cannot take out time to go rock climbing outdoors or live in an area where there is no rock landscape that will allow you to indulge in such an activity, then indoor rock climbing is a very good option for you. There are many people who live in cities and towns, who are opting for indoor rock climbing as an alternative to the outdoor version of the same. While the difficulty level of rock climbing when done indoors never matches up to the hurdles that you will face outdoors, the practice and the physical exertion are good pros that work in its favor. Using indoor rock climbing tips while pulling yourself up these artificial structures will ensure that you do not hurt yourself. Most of the structures that are used for indoor rock climbing are made to resemble the terrain of the outdoor mountainous structures, They are generally high walls with holds, and pockets and knobs for footing. Wood is the material that is used mostly to make these structures, while the holds are generally made with plastic. Indoor rock climbing is perfect for beginners, as it allows them to practice the sport in an environment that is controlled and under the supervision of trained instructors. Given below are some indoor rock climbing tips that will help you become better at this sport.

How to Improve at Indoor Rock Climbing?

If you are planning to enroll for indoor rock climbing, then one of the most important things to keep in mind is that it is an extremely physically exerting activity that needs you to be fit. Pay attention to the techniques that will make climbing up easier. Try and always climb a indoor rock climbing wall with a buddy or in the presence of a trainer or an instructor. When at a class do not get intimidated by the rock climbing lingo that everyone seems to use. Once you understand these different terms, you will be using them as well. There is some important indoor rock climbing gear that needs to a part of your kit, which include a harness that you can rent at the place where you are climbing, proper indoor rock climbing shoes, proper clothing that is not very tight, a chalk bag, water, etc. Given below are some indoor rock climbing tips that will help you perform the activity well, especially if you have just started to learn to rock climb. Read the rest of this entry »