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.