Mind and Body Benefits of Rock Climbing

There’s no doubt that rock climbing is one of the bravest of all undertakings. In order to accomplish the death-defying feat of scaling steep rocks—hundreds upon hundreds of feet above land—it takes tremendous courage, strength, and durability. As an activity, rock climbing also has lots of benefits at the physical, mental, and psychological levels.

Physical

Many people assume that rock climbing is all about strong arms and shoulders, but it actually requires lower body strength in addition to lean upper-body mass. It also takes great cardio endurance to climb rocks, because fewer activities will get the heart pumping stronger. In order to make it to the top, you must also master flexibility, because a climb will often involve reaches that are never called for on land.

Mental

Rock climbing also involves a high degree of brain power. When scaling steep rocks, every move is vital, and the mind must constantly access each possible reach or step. At high elevation, a false move could spell the end. Given the stakes involved, rock climbing is one of the world’s most mentally demanding activities. Climbing rocks will not only improve your strength and endurance, it will also make you better at strategic thinking.

Psychological

When a person scales a rock, he or she is in a place that’s far removed from the on-land world. As such, rock climbing provides a host of psychological benefits. If you’re dealing with stress or sorrow due to personal or work-related problems, rock climbing allows you to escape those things by demanding your full concentration on the act itself. Once you get to the top, there’s the unique thrill of knowing that you’ve reached a place in the world that few others have touched.

At Aviator Sports and Events Center, we provide rock climbing sessions for anyone aged 5-and-up on our 35-ft. indoor aviator rock. With our classes and sporting events, we provide some of the best resources for physical fitness and family fun throughout New York City. To learn more about our services, call us at (347) 662-3086.