Reasons to get into rock climbing

As a person who just started climbing 5 months ago, I discovered quite a few joys to indoor rock climbing.

1. The exhilaration of reaching the top 

The sheer joy of reaching the top of 35 foot or a 60 foot (~10meters or 18 meters) wall and looking down to realize how far you've come up is just amazing.

2. Building self confidence 

The pride you feel for yourself when you reach the top of a difficult route or complete an easier one in lesser time is stunning. It's helped me with self confidence issues I faced and it's made me open to trying newer things.

I recently belayed a Senior who was afraid of heights and  was climbing for the first time. He wasn't too sure of himself, but after reaching the top of that wall, the smile on his face is one that I'm not going to forget in a long time.

3. It's a fantastic workout

Climbing is probably one of the best workouts I've experienced. A lot of people assume that it requires immense amounts of upper body strength, and while some upper body strength is required, a lot of the work comes down to the legs. Learn to push yourself up using the strength in your legs rather than pull yourself. Downclimbing is another very fun form of workout because it supposedly works out the muscles you might have missed while climbing upwards.

4. Everyone always wants to help 

Maybe it's just the atmosphere at Purdue, but people who rock climb tend to be a rather social bunch. They'll laugh with you, talk to you and throw suggestions at you when you get stuck while climbing.

Today I had the most wonderful experience when two spectators were cheering me on from the first floor of the gym as I climbed the last 5.9 I had to cover. That support actually motivated me to finish the entire route.

5. It's more than just a physical sport. 

I've talked about the exhilaration, but the process of rock climbing is not just physical, there's a lot of mind work that goes into it too. You have to plan out a route that would help you reach the top faster or more efficiently. The first time you climb a route will never be the same as the next time you climb the same route. There's always a different way to approach the same route.

Rock climbing has become an addiction to me. Each time I try a new route, I try to find a way to do it faster. There's still lots I have to learn about it and lots to improve, but I can only say I am so thankful to have a found something I feel so passionate about.

First few attempts at Indoor Rock climbing

So ever since I got introduced to the idea of rock climbing back in Singapore, I've been obsessed with trying my hand at it. I finally got that chance late last year when a couple of friends and I went to Yishun's SAFRA Climbing wall with a Groupon voucher. I realized that I wasn't strong enough and managed to complete about 22 feet (7 meters) before giving up.

Before I moved to Purdue, I happened to find out that the recreation center (Co-Rec) had a 60foot wall (18.28 meters) and I was determined to join the rock climbing community out here. For about 2 months, I took time to get used to the bitter cold of the temperamental Indiana weather and finally towards the end of February, I decided it was about time to get climbing. So after my first visit to the Co-Rec, which in itself boasts a large collection of exercise equipment, I was awestruck and humbled by the height of the wall.

I finally picked the nerve to climb the wall and after friendly conversations with the other climbers, I discovered the Yosemite decimal rating system, how to properly wear a harness, how to use chalk to your advantage and picked up a couple of basic climbing techniques. Now it was time to climb. After being educated about the commands to converse with your belay, I was ready to climb. Belay On. And Climbing.

The first time I started to climb, the route, which was a 5.9 with the ability to use features of the wall felt very alien to me. The surfaces were rough and chalked up and it was very difficult to develop a foothold. As I climbed upwards, I could feel my arms getting tired and my feet trembling. Pushing myself, might not have been a good idea and every time I slipped and got caught mid-air by my bealy, my heart skipped a beat. The thrill of the experience was enough to get me hooked. Eventually after almost 15 minutes, I had accomplished 15 feet (4.5 meters) , which to me was amazingly large enough.

With a pain in my fingers coursing down my under-used forearm muscles, I sat down thinking how long I'd have to try before reaching the top of the wall. I went again two days later and this time, I felt more confident and familiar. With constant requests for instructions and suggestions of where to place my feet and hands, I managed to make up another 30 feet ending my second day's attempt at 45 feet (13.1 meters) . With another 15 feet to go, I could feel the excitement for the next time I went to the gym.

Finally, on the third try and a lot of self motivation and heavy breathing, I managed to reach the top of the wall. At 60 feet high, I looked down and felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my body and the feeling was incredible!

Today, was my fourth attempt and I reached the top of the 5.9 level wall, with relative ease .While it still took 20 minutes to reach the top, it's something that I'm going to keep trying to improve and if possible, I'll move on to the higher difficulty levels.

Pros of Indoor Rock Climbing: It gives you a complete workout- arms, core and legs, and the thrill of completing a route is just amazing! Even if you fall, as long as you have a belay, you're not going to hurt yourself.

Cons: You'll experience pain in your fingers and arms for atleast a day, but at the end, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!