The sport of rock climbing is fantastic, but some people may be hesitant to participate. To help you decide if rock climbing is right for you, we have created a list of rock climbing’s pros and cons. Rock climbing can be fun as well as dangerous so let’s checkout the pros and cons of it in this article.
As well as meeting new people and getting a great workout, rock climbing is fun. Furthermore, you’ll be able to see some beautiful places. However, the process is time-consuming and expensive, and mistakes can even result in grave injury.
Rock climbing has become increasingly popular in recent years, so it’s no surprise that many climbers (including myself) think there are many advantages to it. There are, however, some who do not enjoy the sport. It can add up quickly, and climbing comes with inherent risks. Throughout the rest of this article, we will outline the pros and cons of rock climbing to help you decide if it’s something you want to try!
Table of Contents
Pros:
It’s fun!
Climbing is probably the main reason people take up an activity and why they enjoy it so much: it’s just fun.
There is nothing more enjoyable than pulling through a series of difficult moves and feeling strong as you do so. Additionally, climbing provides an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy nature.
A person’s reason for doing this can also be different from another’s. While not everyone will agree with me that climbing is fun, everyone you meet at the gym has their own reasons for attending.
Unique form of exercise
Getting fit by climbing is another huge benefit of the sport. Per minute, climbing is among the most physically demanding activities available. As an alternative to running or the gym if you want to get your daily exercise requirement, climbing can be a great option.
The reason climbing is so easy to work out is because it doesn’t feel like a workout, given how much fun it is. To know how rock climbing helps in your mental health, check out this article.
Socialization
As we mentioned, climbing provides a great opportunity to meet new friends who share a similar interest. If you meet someone at a climbing gym, you can form almost any kind of relationship you wish.
Socialization sometimes takes the form of casual chats between workers on the same route. Though you might never see them again, meeting friendly strangers is always a pleasure. In other cases, you may form deep and meaningful friendships with people and climb consistently with them.
Enjoy the outdoors
As a final note, climbing offers a great opportunity to experience nature. Although gyms are increasingly popular, many people’s ultimate goal is to climb outdoors. A trip like this can take you to some stunning locations.
Climbing can be enjoyed in many different ways outside. On some days, you might just hang out at the crag and enjoy the beauty of nature; on other days, you might take on multipitch routes that take you to alpine environments where few people go.
Unaccessible places can be seen
As we have mentioned above, climbing allows you to go ‘off the beaten path’ and see places that most people can’t. Climbing can help you discover hidden pockets of nature and get away from the crowds. It’s possible to climb a waterfall 400 feet high, a cave on a cliff face, or access a hidden viewpoint.
Cons:
Expensive
After all of that being said, rock climbing does have some disadvantages and the main point would be the cost.
Climbing is not very expensive at the beginning (you can rent the gear for about $40), but the running costs can add up. Depending on how often you climb, you may be paying as much as $60-$100 a month to join a gym.
Furthermore, gear can be a formidable drain on your life savings. You don’t need the fanciest gear to be a great climber, but it’s a nice feeling to have, and you wouldn’t be the only one if you spent $10,000 on climbing gear over the course of your life.
Finally, gear wears out and needs to be replaced, increasing your annual costs.
Risk
Probably the biggest disadvantage of climbing is the danger. Now, this isn’t such a huge deal as everyone thinks it is. Climbing is very safe if you do everything properly, and you can go your entire life without serious injury.
Occasionally, however, people make mistakes, and accidents can happen. There are a number of things that can threaten rock climbers, such as hitting the ground, rockfall, wildlife encounters, and weather, and you need to be careful at all times to avoid serious injury or death. Climbing can be very safe, but we think most climbers would agree that it is a riskier sport than say, badminton.
Physical strain
The downside to climbing’s physical benefits is that it can wear you out pretty quickly. Climbing can put repeated strain on your shoulders, hips, and fingers, causing long-term problems. A person with chronic tendonitis or early-onset arthritis isn’t unheard of, and if they don’t take care of their bodies, they can suffer long-term injuries.
Time
The first disadvantage isn’t a deal breaker for everyone (casual climbers can skip over it), but climbing has a way of taking over your life once you get more into it. Working, socializing, and enjoying your favorite sport can be challenging, and it can be difficult to find time for other things when you can’t stop climbing. Once you start to become involved in the sport and begin training, this becomes particularly frustrating.
Can I rock climb?
With all of that said, you may be wondering if rock climbing would be the sport for you. We hope this article provided some guidance, but the only way to know for sure is to try it!
Rock climbing may just be the thing you’re looking for if you’re an adventurous person seeking a fun and engaging physical activity. However, if you’re more risk-averse and you’re looking for a casual hobby, climbing may not be the best fit.
No matter what you choose, make sure you do it safely and do not feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are the advantages and disadvantages of rock climbing?
The advantages and disadvantages of rock climbing are as follows:
Advantages:
Training strength and endurance
Strengthening muscles
Good stretch
Acquisition of new social connections
Disadvantages:
Time
Expenses
Physical Strain
What are the risks of rock climbing?
The risks of rock climbing are as follows:
The consequences of falling wrong can include bone fractures, ligament tears, tendons breaking, and muscles being pulled.
The consequences of falling from a high altitude onto a hard surface below can be quite severe.
If you are fallen on by someone above, you can sustain severe or minor injuries.
Injuries can also occur due to bad technique or simply being unlucky.
Equipment that fails to perform – such as carabiners snapping – can cause death.
Head-on contact with a wall (although rare) can cause bruising and/or concussions, among other injuries.
Accidents occur most often because people become complacent when climbing.
Is rock climbing good for your body?
You can get a great workout from rock climbing, but it can be hard on your body if it isn’t ready for it. Several medical conditions can be improved by losing weight, and rock climbing is an excellent way to lose a few pounds. Those who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol should consult their physician before starting any exercise program.
Is rock climbing badly for your joints?
Overdoing rock climbing or being injured while relatively young can lead to arthritis, especially if you overdo it or injure your joints and tendons.
