Certainly, rock climbing is a demanding sport, or if you will, an extreme
sport. If you have ever been rock climbing then you know that it is not a
very easy sport. Depending on what type of climbing you have tried you
most likely noticed that you got an incredible workout in a very short
period of time. What most people don't know is that rock climbing is one of
the most mentally demanding sports there is. Just like a chess game, it
involves problem solving and planning of the next move while maintaining
body awareness, focus, and balance.
There are 3 basic types of
rock climbing:
1.
Top Roping Top roping is probably one of the most
common types and is basically climbing with a partner. The partner belays
you on the ground and a rope runs from his harness up to the top of the
wall then around a pulley and back down and attaches to the climbers
harness.
2.
Lead Climbing
The second type, which is very similar to top roping is called lead climbing.
The buddy system works the same way, one man on the ground belaying
and the other climbing, but this time instead of the rope being at the top of
the wall it has to be hooked into clasps as the climber ascends up the wall.
In both of these types of rock climbing the climber has the luxury to sit off
the wall and rest on the rope, however, lead climbing requires the climber
to hang from the wall from one hand, grab the rope, and pull it up to clip it
into the clasps, this can be very hard depending on many different things.
3.
Bouldering
The third type of rock climbing is called bouldering. Bouldering is a type of
free climbing without any ropes or harnesses. The climber tends to stay
much closer to the ground and climbs around the wall more so then up the
wall. This is the most demanding of all climbing. The climber must be able
to complete the route without taking a rest on the rope. Often, during a
bouldering route the climber is required to do a maneuver called a dyno.
Dynos are basically launching yourself off the wall, and then grabbing onto
a hold further away from you. This type of maneuver is where mental
training plays a major role in climbing.
Believe it or not, climbing is said to be about 75% legs and only 25% arms.
To climb efficiently and successfully one must use wonderful technique.
One of the major rules of rock climbing is to always have 3 points touching
.... weather it is both feet and one hand, or one foot and both hands, it is
much easier to have your weight distributed on 3 points than it is 2.
Another important concept to grasp is that your arms in most cases will not
do the climbing; they only hold you as your legs are pushing you upward.
Rock climbing may sound like a bit too extreme for the every day person
but it really is an amazing work out. Once you get into the sport, and start
to learn how to position your body and distribute your weight you can begin
to tackle some difficult problems. Anyone who is physically active, enjoys a
challenge, and loves the outdoors should consider looking into rock
climbing. However, be warned that what can start out as a past time can
rather quickly turn into an obsession.
Dr. JE Curran received her Doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience from
the University of California. Living near Joshua Tree National Park, which
has some of the best rock climbing in the world, Dr. Curran became
fascinated with the sport and set up her
href="http://www.sports-rock-climbing.com"> Rock Climbing website
