Is bouldering a good way to lose weight. To that end, I am more motivated to eat a little better, do some cardio and yoga, and do strength training than I would otherwise be. Climbing burns calories and builds lean muscle mass, which can lead to increased metabolism and weight loss over time. Aug 17, 2024 · Yes, rock climbing is a great workout for weight loss. Remember, these are just samples, you may need to adjust the weight or number of sets and repetitions. My Recommendation OK, so we have heard some compelling reasons for and against running. Thus, this sport is a great way to shed a few pounds or if you want to increase your fitness level. I find that your rate of improvement is fastest when you're climbing for at least an hour (closer to two is ideal), three times a week. However, a growing number of older adults and seniors are discovering the immense physical and mental benefits of rock climbing and bouldering, proving that age truly is just a number. It's funny because I used to write about how to lose weight on paleoplan. edit is that GRR kitchener? You should increase climbing time and decrease weight lifting time. It’s a challenging and fun activity that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your overall fitness. If you’re new to rock climbing, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. The demands of putting your body into challenging positions will bullet-proof your core in a unique, diverse, and fun way. Climbing for Weight Management Climbing is a calorie-torching workout. Seems like a good way to gain a bunch of weight that's just going to be hard to lose later. However, it’s great motivation to try to lose weight. Jan 12, 2024 · While rock climbing can contribute to a caloric deficit and increase muscle mass, a balanced diet is crucial for effective weight loss. Both can be done outdoors but nowadays most people will start at a climbing gym. These healthy changes include eating a balanced diet and moving more each day. It’s a full-body workout that gets your heart rate up and burns calories. We’ll answer your questions and hopefully clear up some misconceptions in this article. Here are some of the best workouts for climbers and boulderers. 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. Go bouldering, or do some resistance training FOR climbing. Add in healthy eating and you can start losing some weight. Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Top New Controversial Old Q&A Sep 5, 2023 · Weight limits in rock climbing can be a common concern for beginners and individuals with larger body types. In terms of diet and weight loss, I highly recommend this calorie tracking app called MacroFactor. However, rock climbing very much makes me want to lose weight and get ripped. Your body composition will start to shift naturally. Besides building a good base level of forearm strength before you engage in more intense off-the-wall training, bouldering also trains core and upper body strength in a very sport specific way. Hey ya'll, I started bouldering recently, a few weeks and love it! Just wish my recovery rates kept up with my urge to climb. Soon after I discovered bouldering and it really changed my life at 34 years old. Sep 1, 2020 · (APA Westcott) BAM! So, there you go. Sure body weight matters, but it should be part of long term lifestyle changes that keep you healthy. But biology, hormones, psychology, and environment complicate this equation. Jun 29, 2025 · Rock climbing can burn approximately 4. Jun 22, 2024 · Hundreds of fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. And it is a good use of time, it is specific, and it helps with weight loss. Other than that do what you want. Be sure to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. I have fully shifted my workout routine to climbing gym Apr 16, 2024 · This simple 3-step plan can help you lose weight fast. I think this is the right answer here in this thread…. there are far more effective ways to train climbing technique and strength so doing 10 lb weight bulk and cuts just to train so your body can climb at a heavier weight is just extremely…. Strength > weight. In this post, we compare these two sports and provide the pros and cons of each. Rock climbing burns between 400 to 600 calories per hour, depending on the duration of your workout and the type of From my experience, if you are above the high teens as a man, you can lose quite a bit of weight just by eating 1000 cal a day and not lose any size or strength. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Read about the 3-step plan, along with other science-backed weight loss tips, here. Our writer (a bouldering Without hard evidence, but i think weight managment in boulderers or sportclimbers plays a slightly different role. In fact, bouldering uses the same muscles groups used in weightlifting. If that’s rock climbing for you - then yes. Is Rock Climbing Good For Weight Loss? Rock climbing and bouldering can be great for losing weight in a healthy and fun way. 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. Jul 3, 2023 · Think beyond cardio equipment or weights and consider rock climbing for weight loss. As with any form of exercise, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. We go over how many calories climbing burns in lead, bouldering, belaying, and more. But at what point does body weight really start to matter? Is it v7? v10? v13? At what point does "being strong" hit its limit and the only way to climb harder is to weigh less? Mar 16, 2024 · Fontainebleau sunshine: the best way to train for bouldering is to go bouldering (Image credit: Getty Images) As we stated in our guide on how to train for climbing, the best way to train for any form of climbing is… to go climbing. Learn how to lose fat and shed pounds safely and effectively. Whatever you will stick with that helps you burn more calories than you eat is good. Myth: Rock climbing alone is sufficient for significant weight loss. Since I've been getting kinda bored in the gym I thought about going climbing more instead, however I don't really want to lose my muscles. 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. Bouldering is a high intensity exercise that targets most major muscle groups of the body. I'm on the higher end of weight, sitting at about 95-96kg and wondering if anyone had any tips, or different styles compared to littler guys? I'm working my way through the V3's at the gym I go to (3 of the 7), and I constantly watch every one else who seem to all be Losing weight is the fastest way to go up grades imho whether or not you have technique down (though technique is the most important for successful long-term climbing). Aug 3, 2010 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. This way we could get strong quickly, or in other words, increase our strength-to-weight ratio. For me, this only becomes a slight problem below 14% and a substantial barrier below 10%. also started doing some cycling and weight training and eating better in order to loose weight took some time though Reply reply More repliesMore replies team As a fitness regime, I feel like rock climbing doesn't make me lose weight or get ripped. inefficient? Does bouldering make you lose weight? Is Rock Climbing Good For Weight Loss? Rock climbing and bouldering can be great for losing weight in a healthy and fun way. 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. Training methods There are four popular methods of training grip strength. So I'd lift weights for chest Jan 14, 2024 · Rock climbing is not only a thrilling adventure but also a highly effective form of exercise for weight loss. Of course you can do this yourself in a spreadsheet, but it helped me tons to lose some weight responsibly over the course of a few months. Especially so if you do some harder routes. This time last year I started my weight-loss journey. Apr 1, 2025 · Lose weight quickly: Fad and stringent diets are not sustainable in the long run. Sep 19, 2022 · Bouldering can be a great way to lose weight, as it is an activity that requires both physical and mental effort. My goal is weight loss (especially around the belly) and general fitness. The real way to lose weight is to ensure that you’re consuming fewer calories than you’re burning, not trying to burn calories as much as possible. Probably wouldn't recommend doing both on the same day unless your eating well. Given your description of your build, I don't think you have anything to gain via weight loss until you're climbing harder than V7. Most elite level climbers sit at around 135lb-165lb (from what I can tell). The actual calories burned will vary based on factors like body weight, intensity, and duration of climbing. In this article, learn how to lose weight safely by making long-term lifestyle changes. Aug 12, 2024 · Rock climbing is an increasingly popular full-body workout that involves scaling outdoor rock formations or indoor rock climbing walls. Jan 14, 2020 · performance rock climbing—we all know it’s helpful to feel like you’ve slipped through gravity’s fingers. More mentally engaging than stationary equipment, you’ll have fun while getting in a great workout. If you plateau and want to loose weight at some point, go for it. Jul 13, 2022 · Bouldering can be a fantastic way of reaching your weight loss goals. 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. May 16, 2023 · Rock climbing can be an effective way to lose weight and tone muscles. That’s what we’d recommend for beginners as it means can learn in a safe environment. While doing both (correctly!) can certainly help you shed pounds, there are other science-backed strategies to make May 21, 2025 · Let’s dive into how you can lose weight safely and sustainably—not just to look better, but to feel better, live longer, and thrive. Climbing, even bouldering, is more comparable to high rep/low weight sets if you were to make it analogous to lifting and that means more muscle definition but not as much growth in muscle size. Is Rock Climbing Good for Weight Loss? Rock climbing can be a great way to lose weight. Bouldering is a really fun form of exercise and it might make you feel more motivated to keep going to the gym and losing weight. Bouldering targets the whole upper body (forearms, arms, back), core, back and lower body (glutes and legs). I mostly boulder out of convenience but I also sport, trad, freesolo, and mountaineer. It also connects to lots of really good weight loss activities such as hiking. Oct 21, 2023 · Choosing between rock climbing and weight lifting can be hard to choose. But the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make lasting lifestyle changes. 5 calories per minute for a person weighing around 150 pounds (68 kilograms). We’ll get to the ultimate take away in a second, but here is my recommendation. I go bouldering twice per week and running 3-5 times a week usually running 5k. There are many science-backed benefits of rock climbing, including better grip strength, hand-eye coordination, and flexibility. While diet is the most important factor, high intensity sports like bouldering also have a key role to play. Either way, it’s one of the most effective ways to burn calories and lose weight. Nov 22, 2021 · How often should you climb bouldering? Find a way to schedule at least two climbing sessions per week (3 or 4 is ideal)–any bouldering or roped climbing session, indoors or outdoors, counts towards this total. Your medical weight loss program is the perfect time to try new things As a fitness regime, I feel like rock climbing doesn't make me lose weight or get ripped. My knuckles have gotten pretty burly, though. How did you start climbing? I'm weak and wanna start Reply reply 42069clicknoice • honestly started toproping and bouldering the easiest routes/boulders and did that for a while. Read his insights here. Sep 27, 2016 · Nutrition is highly individualistic, but following these simple guidelines will put you on a path to optimal performance. How to Lose Weight for Climbing by Neely Quinn I've been sort of dreading writing this blog post, even though I know it needs to be done. This article explores why climbing is not only suitable but highly recommended for those in their golden years, and how to approach Unless you are super skinny and can't gain muscle very well- you aren't trying to gain as much muscle mass, all over your body, as you can. Jun 27, 2022 · Climbing requires good cardio, strength, and endurance. Additional benefits of bouldering include helping improve balance, increase body awareness, and encourage mental If you do lose weight your body will be conditioned to pull hard although losing weight to enjoy the sport or improve isn’t necessary. Understanding the Science of Weight Loss At its core, weight loss is a simple equation: calories in versus calories out. This is called a calorie deficit. Jun 19, 2023 · Strength-to-weight ratios are key performance indicators for climbers. While technically there is no “defined” weight limit for climbers The only way to get better at climbing long term is to get better and stronger. Nov 10, 2017 · Is rock climbing a good workout? We asked one of our lead trainers about the physical health benefits of rock climbing. Supplementing with creatine monohydrate (5g/day, no need to load) can help build muscle faster and help speed in muscle recovery, you will gain a little water weight until you stop taking it but that'll just aid in the strength training aspect of climbing by giving you more to lift (and I think the strength gains will outweigh the water weight). 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. Aug 11, 2021 · Yes, rock climbing burns fat because it is a physically demanding sport, and if done on a regular basis, it can increase your caloric burn, help you lose weight, and burn fat in the process. Bouldering Can Be a Good Alternative If you’re aiming for more explosiveness and like doing intensive exercises, bouldering can be a partial (and a pretty modest) alternative to building strength through weightlifting. I think dropping weight comes really into play when you want youre endurance climbing to improve. Jan 12, 2024 · Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight? It’s a complicated question. Mar 1, 2024 · The following exercises are a sample strength training workout created by Rob for one of his rock climbing clients. If so, could you suggest the best exercises in the gym and outside to aid this, along with best swimming stroke (I am useless at butterfly btw lol). Whether you’re climbing indoor walls or tackling the rugged terrain of the great outdoors, this intense full-body workout can help you burn fat and shed those extra pounds. Myth: Rock climbing is too dangerous for weight loss. It is especially good at strengthening the arms, shoulders, and back, but also requires good leg and core strength. Sure, maybe drop weight before a big trip, but trying to be “shredded” for the sake of being shredded is not very healthy, and doesn’t encourage getting stronger. It’s a better option for people interested in the “exercising” aspect of climbing. Sure, you’ll still work the same muscles while climbing outdoors, but climbing at the gym is safer. Dec 28, 2016 · You probably know the usual weight loss advice by heart: Eat less and move more. Every pound matters and if you fall in love with climbing, you will almost certainly want to fall back into good habits. com all the time. Learn one way to increase this ratio via optimizing body composition. If you dread a whole session of crunches, twists and planks, then bouldering gets you better results in a much more enjoyable way. Plus, it’s fun! If you’re looking to Should I loose weight to be a good climber, right know I weigh 240 lbs because for the past 7 years I have been doing bodybuilding but climbing caugth my attention, is there an optimal weight for climbing? 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. It'll also be helpful for losing weight in and of itself. Indoor climbing gyms provide a controlled environment for beginners. Additional benefits of bouldering include helping improve balance, increase body awareness, and encourage mental Nov 14, 2022 · Credit: outdoorinquirer. Aug 1, 2023 · For many, climbing is seen as an activity exclusively for the young and agile. That said there are more “efficient” ways to burn calories out there. Jun 27, 2024 · With climbing centres popping up around the country, bouldering – a form of climbing which involves scaling low walls without ropes or harnesses – is blowing up. Mar 27, 2021 · Rock climbing for weight loss as part of a healthy lifestyle is definitely possible. Nov 10, 2012 · 1 Should I realistically lose weight before even attempting bouldering, or should I start it when my back is better (I am currently 4 stone overweight for my height). But even then you can slowly build up as you train. Bouldering is a really fun form of exercise and it might make you feel more motivated to keep going to the gym and losing weight. I also really love bouldering/climbing so I've got both a membership at a climbing place and one in a "regular" g Aug 19, 2020 · Are you looking to lose a couple pounds in the hope to climb stronger? Here's five tips to help you lose weight for climbing. Here I go into each only briefly but include a link to a separate article on Feb 28, 2025 · Fad diets and rapid weight loss can be unsafe and often lead to regaining weight later on. I find this a great way to compliment different muscle groups as well as improving fitness. Reality: With proper instruction, safety measures, and gradual progression, rock climbing is a safe and effective way to lose weight. Practicing portion control is a quick way to do this. Hi, I recently started bouldering and I'm loving it! I've been going to the gym for quite a while now aswell and built a pretty good physique. . Your medical weight loss program is the perfect time to try new things Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Apr 29, 2025 · To lose weight, a person must take in fewer calories than the body burns. Nov 22, 2021 · Does losing weight help rock climbing? As others have said, climbing isn’t really a weight loss activity. Nov 8, 2023 · Would you like to know whether bouldering is suitable for weight loss? Well, the article contains everything about bouldering and how it can help. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing done solo on smaller rocks, usually between 4 and 6 meters in height. 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. Here are six tips to help you start your weight-loss journey. 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. What better way to lose weight than falling in love with a new physical activity? If you start climbing and decide you really like it, your drive to continue doing it will naturally develop your body to be better at it (ie weight loss, strength gains, etc). Burning calories - If you want to lose weight, rock climbing is your game. Rock climbing is a good exercise to complement any weight loss plan, it combines cardio and strength for a great workout. 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. In terms of cardio, honestly, don’t over do it with tons of heavy cardio. How hard is rock climbing? This post shows you what skills are needed, how hard it is, how best to get started, and compares climbing styles. Bouldering won’t help you lose weight but it’s a great way to gain muscle if you get seriously into it. My plan was to basically maintain my gym split but to climb on back days instead. May 30, 2020 · Is rock climbing a good way to burn calories? We did the research. I've been climbing for ~8 years now and I cut weight every season for my projects outdoors. Rock climbing in particular is pretty biased toward pulling, although if you're a good climber you'll push and use your legs quite a bit as well. You are more prone to injuries especially finger ones starting heavy so just be mindful of that. 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. eovbr mnlxoo qyec msjc htgxx zzycqu rcdqh ecelz rukng guaakn