Are you tired of the treadmill? Is your enthusiasm for the elliptical evaporating? Do you need a new adventure to add some excitement to your aerobic workouts? If so, you might want to try the indoor climbing cave and double auto-belay climbing wall at AFAC gym. These provide the perfect setup for alternative cardio workouts that can help you lose weight.
With a potential calorie burn ranging from 500 to 900 per hour — depending on the intensity and speed of your movements — rock climbing is an excellent full-body workout that can help you shed pounds. It engages various muscle groups, including your grip strength, back, shoulders, arms, legs, and core, making it a comprehensive and efficient workout for your entire body.
In this blog, we’ll explore how the thrilling world of rock climbing at AFAC’s gym in Thornton, Colorado, can not only reignite your passion for cardio, but also torch those unwanted calories, propelling you toward your weight loss goals.
Why Is Rock Climbing at the Gym Good for Losing Weight?
An exercise program thrives when it engages various muscles throughout the body, from the pumping heart to the flexing biceps and quads, demanding them to perform their best. Among the myriad of workouts available, climbing stands tall as a remarkable contender when it comes to activating and training a diverse range of musculature.
Unlike conventional gym routines or repetitive cardio exercises, climbing presents an ever-changing and intricate movement pattern. Each climbing surface and route offers a unique challenge, ensuring that your muscles face different demands every time you climb. This dynamic muscle activation has proven to be more taxing and fatiguing than simpler, repetitive movements, making climbing an exceptional full-body workout.
Due to these factors, climbing holds its own as a cardiovascular activity that can help people burn calories and lose weight. Studies have shown that climbers utilize a significant portion of their aerobic capacity. Indoor rock climbing was found to require the same energy expenditure as running a mile in 8-11 minutes, and it keeps the metabolism elevated for longer than cardio workouts like running. This is probably because rock climbing involves resistance training as you lift and lower your bodyweight against gravity. How intensely you push yourself during a climb determines the extent of the heart rate increase and the strength training component, but regardless of your skill level, if the climb proves challenging, your heart and body will undoubtedly get a robust workout.
As your heart rate rises, so does your calorie burn. Even when climbing at a level below maximum effort, an individual weighing 155 pounds can torch between 8-10 calories per minute—nearly equivalent to intense cardio workouts like spinning. Additionally, the thrilling fear component of climbing can further elevate your heart rate and boost caloric expenditure, adding an extra dimension of intensity to the already extreme experience.
But, as the saying goes, you can’t out-train a bad diet, and the same holds true for climbing. 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.
Other Benefits of Rock Climbing at the Gym
Beyond burning calories for weight loss, indoor rock climbing has rapidly gained popularity as a captivating and rewarding activity that offers a myriad of benefits for both beginners and seasoned climbers alike. Whether you’re seeking an exhilarating workout or a unique social experience, AFAC gym’s indoor climbing cave and walls provide an array of advantages that cater to diverse interests and fitness levels.
Boost Brain Health
The intricate balance and neuromuscular coordination required for climbing might not only strengthen your body but also enhance your brainpower. A study conducted at the University of North Florida demonstrated that activities involving balance, muscle coordination, spatial orientation, and other climbing-related pursuits significantly improved a person’s working memory and various cognitive functions.
Moreover, studies have shown that the dynamic and balance-dependent movements utilized in climbing can lead to improved coordination and other motor skills, particularly for individuals with neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
Elevate Mood and Mental Wellbeing
Similar to various other forms of exercise, rock climbing can be a powerful antidote for battling the blues.
Remarkably, some research suggests that engaging in bouldering for just eight weeks can lead to a significant reduction in the severity of depression, highlighting the positive impact of climbing on mental wellbeing.
German researchers discovered that rock climbing serves as effective psychotherapy for adults struggling with depression, thanks to its numerous physical, social, and mental advantages. Moreover, if you choose to climb in outdoor settings, you may receive an additional mood boost, as research indicates that spending time in nature acts as an antidepressant.
Engaging in any physical activity, such as indoor rock climbing, triggers the release of endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, which can alleviate stress, enhance mood, and improve mental health. The sense of accomplishment after completing a challenging climb can also boost self-confidence and overall wellbeing.
Furthermore, climbing offers a reflective aspect. It reveals how you navigate fear, disappointment, and success, helping you process not only your climbing experience but also providing insights into how you can approach life’s challenges.
Fire Up Muscles from Head to Toe
While it may not come as a shock that rock climbing targets the muscles in your arms, what’s truly remarkable is that climbing is a comprehensive full-body workout. It even goes beyond merely engaging your biceps, triceps, back, and deltoids, as it also activates your abdominals, obliques, glutes, thighs, calves, and various other muscle groups.
As you climb, your upper body experiences substantial strengthening, particularly in the hands and fingers. However, what many people fail to recognize is that proper climbing technique involves a significant workout for the lower body as well, involving various movements such as squatting and jumping. Consequently, climbing is a holistic exercise that challenges and benefits the entire body, leading to improved strength and fitness.
Master Flexibility, Balance, and Coordination
Through climbing, you develop a heightened sense of body awareness as you refine your movement. It challenges you to stretch your arms and legs extensively, assuming unconventional positions while maintaining balance on tiny footholds. The more you engage in climbing, the greater the advancements in your flexibility, balance, and coordination become.
Challenge Your Cognitive Skills
Climbing embodies a highly cognitive aspect. A substantial part of the sport’s proficiency lies in preplanning and committing your climbing route to memory. Additionally, on-the-spot problem-solving becomes essential, allowing you to adapt your route or sequences swiftly when faced with unforeseen obstacles.
Be Part of a Community
AFAC gym’s indoor climbing cave and wall create a welcoming and inclusive environment, accommodating individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re climbing solo or with friends, our gym’s supportive community fosters camaraderie and encourages climbers to challenge their personal limits.
Climb Year-Round
One of the significant advantages of indoor climbing is its year-round availability, regardless of weather conditions. Climbers can pursue their passion and maintain their fitness routine indoors, making it a versatile activity suitable for any season.
Customize the Intensity
Our indoor climbing routes are designed with varying difficulty levels, allowing climbers to choose challenges that align with their skills and goals. This flexibility allows climbers to continually progress and set new achievements for themselves.
Climb to a Higher Calorie Burn at AFAC Gym
Nestled in Thornton, Colorado, AFAC gym enjoys a prime location, not too far away from some of the nation’s most breathtaking mountain ranges. This proximity grants our community boundless opportunities to explore captivating outdoor climbing spots.
However, it is within our indoor haven that two of AFAC gym’s most coveted amenities reside: our indoor climbing cave and double auto-belay climbing wall. The allure of these indoor climbing areas has made them favorites among our members. The beauty lies in the unrestricted access our members have to both The Cave and the double auto-belay climbing wall, allowing them to indulge in their climbing passion at their convenience. This becomes especially advantageous during unfavorable weather conditions for outdoor climbing in the Rockies, enabling enthusiasts to continue their pursuit indoors. For those seeking to refine their skills before venturing into the great outdoors, these indoor areas offer an ideal training ground.
Additionally, we provide private sessions by appointment, granting our members personalized coaching to enhance their climbing experience. Whether you’re a novice seeking expert guidance or a seasoned climber looking to elevate your skills, AFAC gym’s indoor climbing spaces are here to support your climbing journey.
Before embarking on a climbing program, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor, particularly if you have a heart condition or a fear of heights. However, if you’re seeking a novel approach to increase calorie burn, build strength, improve coordination, and enhance overall fitness—while targeting often neglected muscle groups—incorporating a weekly climb into your routine proves to be an excellent choice. To achieve a more well-rounded exercise plan, the experienced team of personal trainers at AFAC gym can assist you with learning a full range of workouts to help you lose weight and optimize your body composition.
As the best gym in Thornton, Colorado, AFAC’s state-of-the-art strength training and cardio equipment provides you with virtually unlimited options for your workouts. On top of that, AFAC gym has a full schedule of group classes that can teach you other fun ways to burn calories and stay fit. These are some of the many ways that AFAC gym is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our members and ensuring they see the results they’re working toward.
If you’re not a member of AFAC gym but would like more information, please stop by and speak to our team. For more information and assistance, you can also contact our gym owner, Susan, at 720-849-0245 or susan@adventurefitness.club.
