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I used to do a lot of lifting. Did the Starting Strength which was awesome and definitely the most enjoyable regime. However I just got a bit bored of it all a

I used to do a lot of lifting. Did the Starting Strength which was awesome and definitely the most enjoyable regime. However I just got a bit bored of it all and kind of felt like I always had my ear on the ground for something more interesting, or technical (I do miss squats). To get to my point I started climbing a few months back and it has totally hit the spot for me. It is incredibly technical, you have both indoor and outdoor options, and you also build incredibly functional strength. Including improving your grip strength more so than in any other sport. This is totally anecdotal, and of course climbing gyms are not as common as normal gyms. But just in case someone is reading this and wants to give something else a try I highly recommend it. Also you get to buy some cool gear which is always nice.

and0 10y ago
Also started climbing a month ago, after having enjoyed trying it like ~5 years ago (but no gyms where I lived). It's incredibly satisfying. A mix between problem solving and physical exertion. I've never been a gym rat but I'm excited for my skin and grip strength to return so I can go back every 2-3 days and nail that next level of difficulty.
at-fates-hands 10y ago
>> But just in case someone is reading this and wants to give something else a try I highly recommend it. Completely agree. I just started out and we have several indoor climbing places where I live. I've been trying to find an alternative to having my body being beat up playing hockey two to three times a week and thought this was a good alternative. First of all, it doesn't cost a lot to get involved. I've found it works my whole body out, engages my brain in a way hockey simply can't and has really made me focus on how my body moves since my grip strength just isn't there yet. So far, I like it a lot and would also recommend it to anybody.
- saiya-jin 10y ago
  it's a great sport, my favorite for summer months (ski touring would cover the winter), but it doesn't build same amount of strength as proper full body gym workout does (at least on 6a/5.10 levels). I was doing gym 2-3x a week doing free weights, and then decided to let just climbing 3-4x a week do the muscles for the upper body. I lost a lot of muscle, and also real strength and stamina for some activities. climbing is full body workout, but some parts of the body get much more load than others, depending on your level. for example on my weekend-warrior level, you don't work out biceps at all. core gets only very small workout.
Bartweiss 10y ago
I recommend climbing on so many levels, and for some reason it seems to 'click' particularly well for a lot of programmers. Most obviously, it offers some whole-body fitness that I don't find boring. But I've gotten a lot of secondary benefits that are hard to pass up. It's gotten me into normal weightlifting because "to climb better" is a clearer motivation than "to be healthier". And it's a fantastic way to build strength comprehensively. As soon as one body part (bicep, wrist, hip flexor, whatever) taps out you'll struggle to keep going, so you tend to develop whatever is weakest. There's a lot of incentive to work flexibility, too, which can be dangerously ignorable for new weightlifters.
maxcan 10y ago
To be honest, I got a bit bored of pure strength training a few years ago and moved to crossfit. Since then my lifts have almost doubled and my form has improved too. I think you're doing the absolute right thing with climbing. Its not about finding the most optimal physical return on investment for an hour of work but finding something you love so its not work at all.

and0 10y ago

Also started climbing a month ago, after having enjoyed trying it like ~5 years ago (but no gyms where I lived). It's incredibly satisfying. A mix between problem solving and physical exertion. I've never been a gym rat but I'm excited for my skin and grip strength to return so I can go back every 2-3 days and nail that next level of difficulty.

at-fates-hands 10y ago

>> But just in case someone is reading this and wants to give something else a try I highly recommend it. Completely agree. I just started out and we have several indoor climbing places where I live. I've been trying to find an alternative to having my body being beat up playing hockey two to three times a week and thought this was a good alternative. First of all, it doesn't cost a lot to get involved. I've found it works my whole body out, engages my brain in a way hockey simply can't and has really made me focus on how my body moves since my grip strength just isn't there yet. So far, I like it a lot and would also recommend it to anybody.

saiya-jin 10y ago
it's a great sport, my favorite for summer months (ski touring would cover the winter), but it doesn't build same amount of strength as proper full body gym workout does (at least on 6a/5.10 levels). I was doing gym 2-3x a week doing free weights, and then decided to let just climbing 3-4x a week do the muscles for the upper body. I lost a lot of muscle, and also real strength and stamina for some activities. climbing is full body workout, but some parts of the body get much more load than others, depending on your level. for example on my weekend-warrior level, you don't work out biceps at all. core gets only very small workout.

Bartweiss 10y ago

I recommend climbing on so many levels, and for some reason it seems to 'click' particularly well for a lot of programmers. Most obviously, it offers some whole-body fitness that I don't find boring. But I've gotten a lot of secondary benefits that are hard to pass up. It's gotten me into normal weightlifting because "to climb better" is a clearer motivation than "to be healthier". And it's a fantastic way to build strength comprehensively. As soon as one body part (bicep, wrist, hip flexor, whatever) taps out you'll struggle to keep going, so you tend to develop whatever is weakest. There's a lot of incentive to work flexibility, too, which can be dangerously ignorable for new weightlifters.

maxcan 10y ago

To be honest, I got a bit bored of pure strength training a few years ago and moved to crossfit. Since then my lifts have almost doubled and my form has improved too. I think you're doing the absolute right thing with climbing. Its not about finding the most optimal physical return on investment for an hour of work but finding something you love so its not work at all.