Spotlight on… Indoor Climbing

Indoor climbing: super fun, super workout.
Indoor climbing: super fun, super workout.

As we enter February some people’s New Year’s resolutions and best laid plans may have fallen by the wayside, while others might be starting to feel the pinch. The best ways to give your health kick a boost is to introduce some adrenaline and adventure.

Bobbing in place on a health club treadmill is one thing, but there are a number of action-packed activities to get your heart pounding, blood flowing and fat burning while having a lot more fun.

Indoor climbing is an exciting and hugely rewarding pursuit, and the low-impact nature of the sport means it’s perfect for just about anybody. It improves total body fitness, as well as problem solving skills. But that’s not all. Climbing exercises can also greatly expand your social circle.

You don’t need superhuman strength to enjoy your climb and ridiculously large biceps aren’t necessary at all. Your journey up the wall will engage every part of your body. You’ll develop coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and, most importantly, you’ll blast away as many calories as any other fitness program would. Plus, you’ll be flexing that big muscle known as your brain, because half the battle is mapping the most successful route for your ascent.

The Activity People offer a number of climbing experiences around the country, but if you’re based in the North Yorkshire area, why not test your skills upon our 14m high indoor walls in Harrogate?

The impressive facility boasts 66 indoor climbing lines with an average of 190 routes set in the centre at any one time. You’ll also find awesome feed and top roping areas set with routes graded from 3 to 8a and beyond. This means that there’s suitable climbing conditions whatever your level of skill.

This includes the complete beginner, who will undoubtedly benefit from one of our in depth Taster Sessions. The hour long exercise gets you onto the wall with a fully qualified instructor, who’ll teach you the basics and allow you to squeeze in as much climbing action as possible within the time. You’ll benefit a great deal from their tuition, and you’re likely to get hooked on the sport.

What’s more, even your little ones are invited too with the site regularly hosting kids climbing parties. The wacky wall-climbing action will keep the youngsters gripped for the whole of their 1 and a half hour session, and a range of party food can also be included in the package.

It’s a great way for them to have fun with their friends, and once you have caught the climbing bug, you’re likely to make a whole host of new friends, too. Through The Activity People and our various climbing centres, you’ll be introduced to an entirely new social circle. Many climbing endeavours require the partnership of a climber and ‘belayer’ and the development of an understanding between the two.

A new body, new activity and new friends: not a bad way to keep those resolutions going strong.