The Eagles in the fall, the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival in the spring, ice skating at Dilworth Plaza in the winter or strolling Independence National Historical Park in the spring – Philadelphia is a city graced with all four seasons.
06.09.2023 - 11:49 / forbes.com / What You Need
Indoor climbing gyms have seemingly popped up all over the place. Chicago alone has welcomed many, including Movement Lincoln Park, with 43,000 square-feet of climbing, yoga, and fitness; First Ascent Humboldt Park, with 11,000 square-feet of bouldering terrain, two yoga studios, and climbing classes; and Brooklyn Boulders, located in Chicago’s West Loop, with fitness classes, bouldering, and plenty of rope routes to light your muscles on fire.
If you’re looking for a newfangled way to get in shape, be a part of a community, and learn new skills, then keep reading for everything you need to know about indoor gym climbing.
Olivia Adams, on the First Ascent Climbing & Fitness team, says that anyone can climb and find joy in the sport, regardless of age or body type. “It is completely natural to feel fear or lack of confidence at the beginning,” Adams says. “It is a new type of movement for the body and mind, but both adapt quickly if you make climbing a regular activity.”
Most indoor gyms have informative classes—group or private—so that you can get your bearings. Having someone walk you through the gym is really helpful when you’re just starting out. You can ask plenty of questions, learn where you should spend some time practicing as a beginner, and find out about all of the resources, fitness classes, and instruction that will help you be successful on your climbing journey.
“Take a class and learn from those around you,” Adams says. “They will be able to give you tips. One suggestion to get you started, for example, is to get your arms fairly straight and relaxed unless you are actively moving vertically to increase your endurance on the wall.”
It’s important to warm up and cool down as injury can occur in climbing. “Stretching and cardio warmups help prime the body,” Adams says. “Make sure to take rest days—most instructors recommend not climbing more than three days in a row. Additionally, watch and talk to climbers that are better than you—see how they approach warmups, workouts, and the various styles of routes.”
You’ll need comfortable gym clothes, a harness, and climbing shoes before you begin. Black Diamond has climbing essentials for every level of adventurer. For example, The Women’s Momentum Climbing Shoes are comfortable, grippy, and textbook for beginners. For relaxed climbing and bouldering pants that you can move in, with a wee bit of stretch, check out the Women’s Notion Pants. Finally, the Momentum Harness—Women’s Package comes complete with a harness, belay/rappel device, and chalk bag. Ready, set, go!
One of added benefits to climbing is the community you’ll be a part of if you attend with regularity. “Climbing is a sport that opens up your world in a variety of ways—it expands
The Eagles in the fall, the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival in the spring, ice skating at Dilworth Plaza in the winter or strolling Independence National Historical Park in the spring – Philadelphia is a city graced with all four seasons.
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A collection of tombs from Korea’s ancient Gaya confederacy, a Viking age ring fortress in Denmark, an ancient Thai town and a 2,000-year-old earthworks in Ohio are among the contenders for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List this year.
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