Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight. They are able to climb more safely.

Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight I prefer to be around 6-7 pounds lighter than I am now, but I am super prone to gaining muscle really quickly (especially in my back/arms) as opposed to loosing weight. Lower body weight is more helpful for sport/route climbing than bouldering, and that People here will be cautious with giving you advice on losing weight to get better. Nov 29, 2021 · Whether you choose to climb at an indoor rock climbing gym or out in nature, here are some of the benefits and results you might experience after a month (and beyond) of workouts: Muscle toning/sculpting Cardio and endurance improvements Improved mood and confidence Motivational boost Fewer injuries, aches & pains Let’s take a closer look at each and how rock climbing exercise changes your body. Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. With various physical and mental benefits, it’s worth exploring whether rock climbing is a better sport for weight loss compared to other forms of exercise. I’m a healthy 80kg. Being strong while also maintaining a light weight makes a big difference at the expert levels of climbing. It's not as efficient as a lifting program, sure, but anyone who boulders 3-4 times a week for a few years is going to have plenty of strength in muscles that are used in climbing. It’s a better option for people interested in the “exercising” aspect of climbing. Recommended Approximate Weight Limit: 250 lbs. Sure, you’ll still work the same muscles while climbing outdoors, but climbing at the gym is safer. Aug 17, 2024 · Is Rock Climbing a Good Workout for Weight Loss? Yes, rock climbing is a great workout for weight loss. Placing MY ideal climbing weight around 20 BMI but ideal training weight around 22. Higher body weight can result in increased calorie burn during rock climbing sessions. trueI'm surprised by the lack of people suggesting rope climbing first. Building muscle will help burn fat, and indoor rock climbing burns off calories too. com How Many Calories Does 30 Minutes of Rock Climbing Burn? Assuming the person weighs 155 pounds, they would burn about 210 calories in 30 minutes of rock climbing. 11+/5. Plus, it’s fun! If you’re looking to May 25, 2016 · But what’s the best time to lose weight? If you’re dedicated, you may already have a carefully laid-out plan that doesn’t currently include time for weight loss. Aug 12, 2024 · Rock climbing has gained popularity as an exhilarating sport and an effective way to stay fit. 13 I could get my hands on) or so. If you’re joining a rock climbing gym, you might want to talk with the managers or owners to make sure their equipment is rated for heavy use. They are able to climb more safely. Rock climbing is a great way to lose a few pounds. This article aims to demystify the relationship between a climber's weight and their bouldering abilities, providing a balanced perspective for Jun 5, 2021 · The best way to lose excess body fat and improve your body composition is by reducing caloric intake, performing cardiovascular exercise and gaining lean body mass by building muscle with a strength training program. This is probably the best forearm exercise for rock climbers. This high caloric expenditure is comparable to vigorous gym workouts. Nov 10, 2017 · Is rock climbing a good workout? We asked one of our lead trainers about the physical health benefits of rock climbing. It also provides a sense of achievement and can bring diversity to your workout routine. If you’re new to rock climbing, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. The high-intensity nature of climbing burns calories efficiently and helps build lean muscle mass, which can boost metabolism and aid in weight loss efforts. Climbing burns calories and builds lean muscle mass, which can lead to increased metabolism and weight loss over time. This thrilling activity not only provides a full-body workout but also helps burn calories and improve overall fitness. Looking at finding new sports to lose weight and burn fat? Rock climbing exercises and bouldering can help with toning your body and to get in shape. Jan 12, 2024 · Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight? It’s a complicated question. Nov 8, 2023 · Many people wonder about rock climbing weight limits, especially with ropes and climbing partners of different sizes, but one of the best things about bouldering is that size truly does not matter. Nov 22, 2021 · Rock climbing is an excellent workout, but it can be rough if your body isn’t up for it. As someone who's got a small pot belly and on the higher end of fat% among climbers, I find it way better to train on low bouldering walls and high wall auto belay first for both technique and cardio. Climbers go to great lengths to develop finger and upper-body strength, with the aim of improving their strength-to-weight ratio in order to resist the pull of gravity. What helps along with stair climbing: Jun 5, 2022 · Are there weight limits for rock climbing? There are no hard weight limits when it comes to rock climbing. Is rock climbing a good workout? If you’re looking for a workout that captivates you as much as it helps you burn calories, indoor rock climbing offers a thrilling alternative to the usual gym routine. Good for losing weight Rock climbing is an effective workout for weight loss because it burns a significant number of calories. Feb 23, 2020 · Many people look to climbing as a fun and effective way to exercise with the goal to lose weight and improve their appearance. Jun 9, 2025 · Is Stair Climbing Enough to Lose Weight on Its Own? Experts say stair climbing can help in weight loss. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. Research from Dailyburn suggest a single hour of climbing can burn between 500 and 900 calories. Jun 28, 2023 · Plus, they are a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature while getting a workout in. Unfortunately, weight loss is not a gimme for most people. Make sure it is vertical vs overhang to decrease the stress. Eh, idk about that. Nov 14, 2022 · Credit: outdoorinquirer. You can burn about 400-500 calories per hour of rock climbing. Sep 9, 2024 · Struggling to get rid of stubborn belly fat? Experts reveal 12 surefire strategies to lose abdominal fat fast. Indoor climbing gyms provide a controlled environment for beginners. Rock climbing can be a great workout to help you improve your fitness, get in shape, and lose some weight by burning calories and fat. Everyone is different and there are no doubt outliers, but I think it's a good reference point for those of us not using DEXA scans or other more accurate measures. Indoor rock climbing and bouldering are becoming more and more popular as fantastic forms of burning fat. Because rock climbing is such an intense aerobic activity and it requires a healthy body weight to be Assuming you're relatively muscular, climbing trips (at least 7 days) are a good way to lose weight. Add in healthy eating and you can start losing some weight. In this comprehensive guide, we’ ll delve into the world of rock climbing for weight loss, exploring its benefits, techniques, and tips to help you The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn, every diet is just an attempt to trick yourself into eating fewer calories, but it's a crapshoot. 5, respectively. Nov 26, 2024 · In conclusion, rock climbing can be an effective way to lose weight and improve your overall fitness. However, if finding a climbing gym is tricky and you have access to a regular gym, they do have access to a variety of activities from cardio to classes to weights, and can be a great option. But it still surprises me how quickly it all fell apart in winter 2021. Experts estimate that you can lose around 400 to 800 calories per hour and this depends on your weight and the amount of energy that you spend. combining strength and cardio training in one workout. Outdoor Weight Limit There is no weight limit for outdoor rock climbing either. This isn’t a bad goal to have, but bear in mind that rock climbing is a sport that takes a certain level of investment before you’ll start to see physical results. Is Rock Climbing Good for Weight Loss? Rock climbing can be a great way to lose weight. Jun 23, 2024 · By incorporating these effective climbing techniques into your indoor climbing routine, you can maximize your weight loss efforts and achieve your fitness goals faster. The climbing worked in two ways. I can still climb 5. If you’re looking to lose weight, rock climbing can be an effective and enjoyable activity to incorporate into your fitness routine. I think overall, she is on point with her advice, but her long article may … Apr 1, 2012 · Extreme weight loss: While strength to weight is a crucial part of rock climbing, losing a ton of weight or starving your muscles will decrease your long term performance and increase the likelihood for injury and exhaustion. May 30, 2025 · But is that bad beta? A high strength-to-weight ratio is needed in climbing. If you want to get the most out of your rock climbing, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. I feel best/healthiest around 145/140. Let’s delve into the details, using key aspects of fitness, nutrition, and climbing-specific factors. Nov 22, 2021 · What is the weight limit for indoor rock climbing? However, we like to encourage everyone to try rock climbing regardless of physical shape and size. It’s a full-body workout that gets your heart rate up and burns calories. So yes it will help you lose some weight, provided that you keep rest at a minimum and don’t just chat your way around the gym. I no longer have to worry about my eating now. Especially so if you do some harder routes. It is feasible to use rock climbing as part of a healthy lifestyle to weight loss. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Stay on the wall 20 minutes straight without a break. Oct 21, 2023 · Choosing between rock climbing and weight lifting can be hard to choose. Aug 11, 2021 · The best way to get better at climbing, to make it more fun, and lose more weight in the process, is to just climb! Climbing itself, especially for a beginner, is the best form of training, and only more advanced climbers need specific training, like on a hangboard, for example. Nov 8, 2023 · Learn how fit you need to be to start rock climbing. According to WebMD, “rock climbing is an excellent Aug 12, 2024 · Rock climbing is an increasingly popular full-body workout that involves scaling outdoor rock formations or indoor rock climbing walls. Many climbers, especially beginners, wonder if there's an "ideal" weight for bouldering and how their own body weight might impact their performance. But optimizing strength-to-weight ratio through weight loss is not so simple. Reply reply Jun 11, 2023 · Rock climbing has six health benefits. Rock climbing and bouldering can be great for losing weight in a healthy and fun way, but the best way for a climber to lose weight is through a combination of diet and Losing too much weight If you’re trying to lose weight to make yourself lighter on the climbing wall, make sure you don’t lose so much that it’s unhealthy. Our Realtime Guidance technology can help you stay on track and motivated throughout your fitness journey. The aerobic workout and muscle building will help you burn more calories throughout the day. The only way to lose weight is to ingest less calories than your body uses. Losing too much weight too fast can affect your overall climbing performance and your recovery times. Oct 4, 2025 · 3. Dehydration: Athletes lose a huge amount of performance potential while dehydrated. When it comes to diet people on climbing forums are generally pretty skittish to tell people to lose weight, and for good reason. There are a lot of rock climbing facilities out there, most of which don’t have a maximum weight requirement. Feb 19, 2016 · Rock climbing is a weight-intensive sport. Your medical weight loss program is the perfect time to try new things Nov 22, 2021 · Is indoor rock climbing good for weight loss? Rock climbing is an excellent workout, but it can be rough if your body isn’t up for it. So next time you hit the climbing gym, remember to focus on proper footwork, engage your core muscles, and utilize your leg strength to see the best results. Many climbers—particularly competitive climbers—try to optimize that by losing weight. Feb 15, 2022 · 7 Steps to Lose weight for Climbing Came across an article called “ How to Lose Weight for Climbing” by Neely Quinn. The best way to get started is at a rock climbing gym, where you can make sure you enjoy the workout before investing in any gear. It may surprise you to learn that rock climbing can work a variety of body muscles. Read his insights here. Sep 27, 2016 · Optimal Weight Achieving an optimal climbing weight can be difficult, but straightforward, healthy methods exist. Discover the physical demands, required fitness, and tips for getting in shape. Apr 12, 2016 · The following article originally appeared on Climbing Nutrition. Jan 14, 2024 · Rock climbing burns more calories compared to activities like tennis, jogging, cycling, and basketball. Aug 9, 2024 · Are you looking for an effective and enjoyable way to lose weight? Rock climbing might be the perfect solution for you. But it works best when combined with other habits. They work very hard (and proud) on Jul 7, 2025 · Rock climbing is a full body workout that can burn a significant number of calories, depending on your weight. A person can expend up to 500 calories climbing for an hour, depending on the difficulty of the ascent. Rock climbing is a great way to help you burn some calories and excess fat to lose weight, as long as you are in an overall calorie deficit. Nov 22, 2021 · Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, check with your doctor first and get the OK. Limiting refined carbs, such as white rice, white bread, baked goods and sweets, pasta, and sugar-packed snacks will help with climbing weight, performance, and health. Learn one way to increase this ratio via optimizing body composition. But is there a hidden cost to rapidly losing weight? Moreover, is there a more advantageous and sustainable way to change body composition? Physiological effects of rapid weight loss When you lose weight, you lose mass. Best Ways to Lose Weight for Rock Climbing While Staying Strong Watch your diet If you want to engage in competitive rock climbing and maybe bouldering, shedding those extra kilos is vital. Anecdotes of climbers shedding weight or developing eating disorders to climb harder remain ubiquitous. Here are some of the best workouts for climbers and boulderers. There are many science-backed benefits of rock climbing, including better grip strength, hand-eye coordination, and flexibility. Nov 20, 2021 · The Good: What does rock climbing do to your body? Firstly, I’m gonna be talking about indoor rock climbing and indoor bouldering in this guide. But you need to also have a healthy diet and nutrition to lose weight! Is Rock Climbing Good for Weight Loss? Rock climbing is a comprehensive and dynamic workout that combines stretching, cardio and the use of your muscles, making this type of workout great for weight loss. This exercise best simulates the actual forces and stress on forearms during climbing. Mar 27, 2021 · More Climbing Health Articles – Rock Climbing For Exercise – Is Rock Climbing A Good Workout? – Rock Climbing Benefits Does Rock Climbing Burn Calories? Yes! You’ll find that holding yourself on to a wall is way sweatier than you might think. Learn about gear, nutrition, hangboarding, on-the-wall workouts, and more! Rock climbing is a good exercise to complement any weight loss plan, it combines cardio and strength for a great workout. Finger injuries are one of the most common climbing injuries and finger strength (in relationship to your body weight) is one of the most important indicators of climbing performance in advanced climbers. Dec 3, 2023 · Bottom Line: Is Rock Climbing Better Than a Gym? Rock climbing can be better than a gym if you want to go outside, meet new people, and workout without really feeling like you’re working out. Let us build a fun “playout” program that helps you get stronger and lose weight without needing a gym! Learn more: #9) Martial arts – Be honest. Every gram or ounce that makes up our being, we must drag up the wall Sep 9, 2020 · A lot of research points to nutrition as 80% of weight loss, leaving the last 20% to exercise. I lost 20kg in about four months. You can start bouldering at a young age and are able to boulder regardless of your height or size. Every gram or ounce that makes up our being, we must drag up the wall, and thus many climbers seek to be as light as possible. One way you can lose weight while still staying strong is by watching how and what you eat – create a caloric deficit. I (23F) recently got back into competitive climbing, but I’ve noticed it’s a lot harder for me to get back to my ideal weight for climbing. During active climbing, a 155-pound person can burn between 8 and 11 calories per minute. What is a good weight for rock climbing? The average body mass index for male and female professional climbers is approximately 21. If you Nov 22, 2021 · Is rock climbing good for weight loss? Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. A significant factor why we tend to be heavier in modern society is our everyday lives and that we always have food available. Rock climbing will give you some amazing workouts that will be exciting, challenging, and tons of fun, not to mention addicting. Read nutrition labels. Is bouldering good for weight loss? Bouldering can absolutely help you lose weight. The ' fastest ' way to get better at climbing is really to lose weight (great climbers are light); strength to weight ratio is the most important factor - skill, technique etc. The safest way to lose weight is to count calories so that you lose 1 pound a week. Weight loss is primarily related to food intake - much easier to eat less than it is to up your exercise to burn excess calories. Make sure you drink regularly. You did that indirectly, by cutting on carbs, eating high protein (which is usually satiating), and doing daily exercise. With rock climbing, you’ll probably start indoors using top-roping and eventually advance to climbing outdoors. Feb 13, 2025 · Rock climbing can be quite a tight-knit sport by nature. Feb 8, 2022 · Complete beginner's guide to bouldering training. Sep 10, 2024 · Reality: With proper instruction, safety measures, and gradual progression, rock climbing is a safe and effective way to lose weight. At my peak last summer, I was at the bouldering gym daily, hangboarding sessions Oct 12, 2019 · For the first time, my “why” changed. You can start off at home. Should you lose weight to climb better? It’s commonly thought that it is easier to get a few pounds lighter than a proportionately stronger. 1) it’s very good exercise and 2) the motivation to be lighter and therefore climb better helped me stick to my diet. If you’re interested in trying rock climbing or bouldering to lose weight and get fit, download the Fitpaa app today. So, to reach your optimal weight and have a happy, healthy body, you should combine a good eating routine with a sustainable exercise, like rock climbing. . 12's/working any . Tips On How To Effectively Lose Weight With Rock Climbing Take part in the rock climbing activity weekly, at least two or three times per week. 5" climber, My peak climbing weight WAS 130/135 (onsighting or flashing all 5. You can use a calorie calculator such as the one linked below. Rock climbing is a weight-intensive sport. Burning calories - If you want to lose weight, rock climbing is your game. Nov 22, 2021 · Is climbing good for fat loss? Rock climbing is an excellent workout, but it can be rough if your body isn’t up for it. Mar 17, 2023 · This is a term hardcore climbers can really obsess about. With the popularity of rock climbing as a sport and a form of exercise, understanding the potential weight limits and the associated risks is crucial for all climbers and even more so for beginners to avoid injury. My need to lose weight was no longer based in vanity and looking good or skinny, but instead I was focused on, well, not dying at a young age. You can also work strength/endurance on forearms by traversing on near vertical wall. In this post, we compare these two sports and provide the pros and cons of each. Climbing is a strength-weight ratio dependent sport afterall so it makes sense to lose weight to perform better but I think you need to make sure you don’t get carried away with this logic. Either way, it’s one of the most effective ways to burn calories and lose weight. 158 votes, 128 comments. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you should check with your doctor to see if it’s safe for you to climb. The best way to become shredded from rock climbing is by setting a rock climbing schedule of 3 or more times a week, along with organised eating habits, and other physical activities such as weight training on the side that are known to help with fat loss and increase muscle mass while not reducing overall performance. As a fellow 5'8. Jul 3, 2023 · Think beyond cardio equipment or weights and consider rock climbing for weight loss. 4 and 20. Nov 20, 2025 · Besides weight loss, rock climbing can provide benefits like improved strength, endurance, and mental toughness. While some can stay effortlessly lean, many struggle to change their habits to a […] Climbing alone probably won't help with weight loss, but it might motivate you to lose weight (carrying less body fat will obviously make climbing easier as you're hauling around fewer pounds). It can help you reach your goal faster and provide consistency. Learn how it serves as a full-body workout and get essential tips for beginners to start safely. Today I am answering the question is rock climbing good for weight loss? Rock climbing is excellent for weight loss because it works multiple muscle groups, promotes calorie burn, muscle development, cardiovascular health and enhances overall fitness. Jun 27, 2022 · Climbing requires good cardio, strength, and endurance. It's specifically not good for weight loss because you don't burn many calories, but you get plenty toned. The Rock Climber's Training Manual is now available order yours here! Controlling body weight is critical to maximizing climbing performance. While technically there is no “defined” weight limit for climbers Feb 10, 2025 · We work with LOTS of Coaching Clients to get them outdoors and help build them “fun climbing programs” that burn tons of calories but don’t really feel like exercise. The folks over at r/loseit are an amazing resource if losing weight is a Jan 14, 2020 · performance rock climbing—we all know it’s helpful to feel like you’ve slipped through gravity’s fingers. Jul 29, 2015 · Ready to get back into climbing shape? Get back on the send train with these 5 Tips to Lose Weight for Climbing! May 16, 2023 · Rock climbing can be an effective way to lose weight and tone muscles. I'd never tell someone to lose weight to improve their climbing unless they are overweight but if you are, one of the best things you can do to improve not only your climbing but your general health is to get to a more manageable weight. With the right amount of cardio worked in to lose weight, falling from height would become way Sep 16, 2025 · Rock climbing is an effective way to burn calories, with the number of calories burned depending on a climber's weight, climbing intensity, and route difficulty. 1. The answer is probably yes, as long as that weight loss is accompanied by preservation or increased strength. Learn more about the potential health and fitness benefits, types, and tips for beginners. Climbing is a highly technical skill based sport, but it is also a strength to weight ratio sport. Jul 24, 2023 · While rock climbing can aid in burning extra calories, losing fat, and maintaining a healthy weight, it’s essential for your climbing workouts to complement a suitable calorie deficit to achieve your weight loss goals. This way we could get strong quickly, or in other words, increase our strength-to-weight ratio. Is Rock Climbing Good Cardio? Training Exercises Similar to Climbing How Many Calories Do You Burn When Climbing? Can You Lose Weight By Climbing? Muscle Groups Targeted When Climbing Generally, most of your muscles are targeted when climbing; however there are some muscle groups that are disproportionately targeted over the others. Jun 19, 2023 · Strength-to-weight ratios are key performance indicators for climbers. More mentally engaging than stationary equipment, you’ll have fun while getting in a great workout. It offers a combination of physical and mental benefits that can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Aug 9, 2023 · In the world of bouldering, conversations about weight can often be fraught with misconceptions. Climbing can be an effective way to lose weight when combined with a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine. You also want to make sure you’re still strong when you’re on the wall. Oct 21, 2022 · Bouldering is a great option if you want to lose weight, as you don’t have to take turns belaying your climbing partner, so you can turn your climb into high intensity interval training by climbing up and down the wall as fast as you can, resting, then going again. If you’re looking for help sorting through supplements, need advice on how to fuel yourself for your project, or just want some general tips to stay fit and healthy in your sport, Climbing Nutrition is the place. Is it good? Is it bad? Will it help you improve your climbing? Although there are lots of different myths surrounding weight lifting and climbing including that weightlifting will make your muscles bulk and you will get worse at climbing, and if it’s good May 17, 2021 · Short, crisp, and effective—climbing stairs is a science-backed way to lose weight Ladies, if you think, I am giving too much credit to climbing stairs, you’ve got to know that several studies including one published in The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine, have gone at lengths about the weight loss benefits of stair climbing. Aug 25, 2020 · If we lived in a vacuum, then it would without doubt be beneficial to shave off 10-15 pounds and go climbing. If your weight loss efforts have hit a wall, why not climb it? Rock climbing is becoming an increasingly popular activity, and for good reason: rock climbing is a challenge for both the body and the mind, an invigorating workout that can boost your metabolism, strengthen your muscles and, of course, be a lot of fun. Even if you don’t, you may find it mentally challenging to dedicate an entire month or two just to weight loss, not to improving your skills or strength. Does Weightlifting Help with Rock Climbing? Should rock climbers lift weights? The age-old questions about weight lifting for climbers. 12 around 155. Get Moving You don't have to summit Mount Everest or anything crazy. Climbers as a group generally have a higher rate of eating disorders and body image issues. Different types of climbing – roped Nov 1, 2023 · Not only is rock climbing fun, it's also a great workout. Sep 5, 2023 · Weight limits in rock climbing can be a common concern for beginners and individuals with larger body types. The rock climbing anchors that are inserted into the rock are designed to withstand 3,300 pounds of outward force and 5,600 pounds of downward force. The physical exertion of pulling is hard enough but the whole body gets a workout as well as Oct 22, 2024 · Rock climbing is an effective way to lose weight, but how does it compare to other forms of exercise? In terms of caloric expenditure, rock climbing can burn similar calories to other high-intensity activities like running, cycling, or swimming. It’s a challenging and fun activity that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your overall fitness. matter but strength to weight ratio really matters most. Sep 2, 2023 · Weight Loss For those trying to lose weight, rock climbing can be a good exercise that burns calories. frlqb vijja xeerw dtidpip tbsa jafydzl ycehe qhzud oyl ymhu pwhoa hjolqdq dneesz avp rmxvb