Rock Climbing Games !

Getting bored at the rock climbing gym ? Try this game to break out of the rut !

Add On
No article about rock climbing games would be complete without a line or two about the game add on. The rules of add on are simple.

• The players decide how many moves each person will add on (usually one to three)
• The first climber starts by making his or her first move(s)
• The next climber repeats those move(s)and then adds on another move(s)
• This continues with each player until the problem is finished (usually at the top of a wall)

• If a player cant complete a move added on by another player, he or she has the option to ether substitute another (better) hold, continuing to try that move in sequence when his or her turn comes up, or dropping out of the rotation. 

Getting Fit

If you are 250 pounds of pure muscle and proud of your 350 pound bench press, I bet you think climbing is easy. Well its not, climbing uses a unique set of muscles that aren't used to supporting your weight.When climbing the first thing you will notice to get tired is your forearms, these are where you get your grip strength. So naturally if your supporting your body with your grip your forearms are going to drain pretty quick. Other major muscles you use are your biceps, lats, and back.

So how do you get fit for climbing? First of all general fitness is a good way to start. Get your body in generally good shape than start special training. Increase your forearm strength by doing static hangs. Just hang on a bar until your muscles absolutely fail. Not until you cant stand it, until they FAIL. Once you peel off the bar rest for five minuets than do the whole exercise again three times. This is the best way to increase grip strength. Doing pull ups and forearm curls are also good ways to get your arms in good shape for climbing. Do these exercises and you'll be clinging to the rocks like spider man in no time.

La Sportiva Solutions rock climbing shoes

I recently got some La Sportiva Solutions and am going to give some information on these amazing rock climbing shoes. The first thing I would like to mention is the general design of the shoe. They are a very aggressive shoe, the toe has a large downturn and "beak" on the end for lack of better terms. This aggressive toe is perfect for grabbing small holds and inverted or steep climbing. The toe box of the Solutions has a cup shape for grabbing larger "jugie" holds. There is also rubber on the top of the toe box that is perfect for crack climbing or toe hooking. If you like to use your heels the shoe is amazing, the heel cup is glued to your foot and is covered in sticky rubber.

These shoes fit about a size smaller than your shoe size, I wear a 9 1/2 street shoe and bought the Solutions in a 42. There are a few down sides to the shoe such as how expensive they are. And they are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. However, if you're looking for performance then these shoes are the Solutions to your problems.