While rock climbing may conjure mental images of Sly Stallone flexing his guns in Cliffhanger, there’s now a weedier breed of climber taking to walls and rock faces around the UK: runners.
Why? Because it’s a great cross-training activity. Requiring a blend of strength and flexibility, it can bulletproof your body and help to make injuries a thing of the past.
At Vauxwall, a popular climbing facility in London, we speak to centre manager Tom Hull to get a good grip on how runners can benefit from the activity…
Arms
Climbing builds a strong upper body, but don’t expect to come out looking like Arnie. “Climbing will get you toned and lean, not big and bulky,” says Tom. “It’s about having good strength-to-weight ratio.”
Core
Climbing forces you to engage your core. If you have a weak middle, you’ll be on the mat before you know it. “Without some core strength, you’ll be unable to keep your body nice and close to the wall; your feet will come away and youll just fall off,” says Tom.
Cardio
Compared to running, rock climbing isn’t a huge calorie-burner. Most routes require bursts of explosive power. However, it’ll certainly get you out of breath and requires great strength endurance – another useful by-product for runners.
Flexibility
Flexible hips – so important to efficient running – are also key to climbing. “Flexibility in this area allows you to create better angles, reach the right holds and more easily scale the wall,” says Tom. “Some people are more naturally flexible than others, but regular climbing can certainly help here.”
Legs And Feet
One of the first things rookie climbers are told is to use their legs, rather than their arms, to power themselves up the wall. “Your legs are your strongest muscles and are absolutely crucial to efficient climbing,” says Tom. “Climbing can help to build strong calf muscles and strengthen the arches in your feet.”
