Physical health benefit of rock climbing

Cardiovascular System [35]

Improved cardiovascular system ^{[16] [17] [19]}

Cardiovascular system controls the flowing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood around our bodies together with nutrients like glucose, plasma protein, interstitial fluid and white blood cells through arteries and veins from heart to the rest of the body parts including our brain. Without a healthy cardiovascular system, we will experience many diseases like shortness of breath, breath difficulties and heart attacks. Therefore, it is necessary to improve our cardiovascular system to ensure a good body health. Activities such as walking, swimming and rock climbing are proven to have good impact on our cardiovascular system and the time we spend on these exercises will have benefits to our health too.

Weight loss/ Maintaining ideal weight ^{[16] [17] [19]}

In order to lose 1 pound of fats per week, 500 calories have to be burned each day. Rock climbing offers effective and healthy path to lose weight because at moderate intensity, 400 calories can be burned in one hour.

Increased muscle tone ^{[16] [17]}

Rock climbing exercise targets on many parts of muscles of our body such as finger, back, neck, chest, hands and legs. By carrying out this activity, we are able to build our muscles strength and result in higher metabolism rate.

Increased flexibility ^{[17] [19]}

Muscles have to be stretched when we want to reach another hold on the climbing wall. Therefore, rock climbing has effect on our muscles flexibility too. Having good flexibility is necessary because it can prevent us from getting injured and improve our joints movement as we age.

Balancing and coordination

To make us all the way up to the top of the wall and down to the ground, good coordination and balancing are required to prevent from falling.

Mental concentration ^[18]

Without full concentration while climbing can result in falling or fatal injuries. Therefore, climbers are being trained to stay focus on a specific task for a long time to minimize any possible of health-threatening injuries.

Interaction with people and trust is built. [36]

Interaction with people and trust ^[18]

Good interaction and trust must be built between the belayer and the climber.

Self-confidence

When a climber starts to climb up the wall, he must believe that he has the ability to climb all the way up and down without falling. If he is panicked, he might accidentally release the climbing rope and cause serious injuries.

Motivation and Mental Strength [37]

Motivation

There are different levels of difficulties available in rock climbing activity. Therefore, after completing one route, the climber would feel motivated and have the urge to complete the more difficult one until they can master every single hold.

Problem solving ability ^[19]

There are no instructions on which hold to grab first and next on the rock-climbing wall. Climbers are being trained to solve problem immediately on which path they should go in order to complete the route without falling.

Boosting our mood ^[19]

The meditative state can boost our mood by releasing serotonin (hormone). 

Boost your mood and team work. [36]