Is bouldering a good way to lose weight. Plus, it’s fun! If you’re looking to .
Is bouldering a good way to lose weight. Feb 8, 2022 · Complete beginner's guide to bouldering training. Apr 12, 2016 · Rock climbing is a weight-intensive sport. Here are some of the best workouts for climbers and boulderers. 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. ” Climber weight loss is bad beta Most climbers think that the simple act of losing weight will help them climb better. Feb 28, 2025 · Fad diets and rapid weight loss can be unsafe and often lead to regaining weight later on. com all the time. Aug 9, 2024 · What To Know 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 achieve your goals. 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). 5" climber, My peak climbing weight WAS 130/135 (onsighting or flashing all 5. The only way to lose weight is to ingest less calories than your body uses. Rock is great for burning calories, and is a great way to get a whole body resistance workout in and burn some fat without feeling like a slave to the gym. Muscles get toned the more you climb and practice and as they adjust to the demands of the bouldering. Rock Climbing Rock climbing is a fun sport regardless of whether you do it indoors or outdoors. Body Composition First of all, body weight alone is not a good indication of your body composition. An hour of climbing can burn up to 600 calories, depending on the intensity and duration of the climb. Mar 26, 2021 · In this way, you will be more consistent in exercising. Plus, it’s fun! If you’re looking to 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. It’s a great muscle-building activity that can give you a toned, athletic build. Like any fitness endeavor, climbing burns calories, so it does contribute to weight loss. Bouldering is a very beginner-friendly sport. The safest way to lose weight is to count calories so that you lose 1 pound a week. Jun 28, 2023 · In fact, a 155-pound person can burn up to 500 calories in just one hour of rock climbing or bouldering. Beginner climbers should not focus on their weight, as what is more important at this stage is enjoying the sport, and learning proper climbing technique. As an alternative, you can do other ways to burn fat, including sports such as rock climbing. 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. May 14, 2025 · Fast weight loss is rarely easy, but it is possible to lose weight safely and efficiently with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Bouldering will build muscle in upper body and core. Spend time learning to move deliberately and learning to weight and trust your feet. May 30, 2020 · Is rock climbing a good way to burn calories? We did the research. 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. You did that indirectly, by cutting on carbs, eating high protein (which is usually satiating), and doing daily exercise. Aug 12, 2024 · Rock climbing has gained popularity as an exhilarating sport and an effective way to stay fit. 11+/5. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. Jul 29, 2015 · Answer: I can’t. Engaging in activities like biking, jogging, swimming, rowing, and hiking on weekends complements bouldering well. It's funny because I used to write about how to lose weight on paleoplan. Learn one way to increase this ratio via optimizing body composition. Dec 9, 2024 · Highly effective, well-researched ways lose weight include limiting processed foods, drinking more green tea, and taking probiotics. We tend to fixate on the “strength” side while ignoring the “weight”. My plan was to basically maintain my gym split but to climb on back days instead. Sep 19, 2022 · Bouldering can be a great way to lose weight, as it is an activity that requires both physical and mental effort. Obesity, however, can be an issue for technical reasons. Seems like a good way to gain a bunch of weight that's just going to be hard to lose later. Is Bouldering a Good Way to Lose Weight Climbing Port Is Bouldering Good For Weight Loss Bouldering can absolutely help you lose weight. Learn more here. More mentally engaging than stationary equipment, you’ll have fun while getting in a great workout. Sep 5, 2024 · Rock climbing is an adventurous sport that requires physical strength, endurance, and mental focus. Rock climbing is a great way to lose weight. Remember, these are just samples, you may need to adjust the weight or number of sets and repetitions. My goal is weight loss (especially around the belly) and general fitness. However, rock climbing very much makes me want to lose weight and get ripped. 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? Nov 22, 2021 · Does rock climbing help lose belly fat? Rock climbing tones you, but it doesn’t make you look skinny and weak. As a fellow 5'8. Placing MY ideal climbing weight around 20 BMI but ideal training weight around 22. Steve Bechtel shows us how in part 1 of this exclusive 3-part series. Sep 9, 2020 · climbing, exercise, rock climbing, weight loss, workout - September 09, 2020 Climbing for Weight Loss: Is Rock Climbing a Good Workout? It's pretty obvious that climbing is a good work out. 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. 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. It involves scaling up a rock face, cliff, or indoor wall using only your hands, feet, and body weight. Weight loss is 90% dietary. My knuckles have gotten pretty burly, though. Bouldering offers a fun way to improve your body, while also improving your mind, confidence, and reducing stress levels. Many climbs require you to step high, twist, or stretch to grab holds, which naturally improves flexibility and range of motion over time. If you plateau and want to loose weight at some point, go for it. 12's/working any . May 30, 2025 · The coach’s reply: “Lose weight. 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. 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. You can use a calorie calculator such as the one linked below. Doesn't mean you have to lose 16kg "to get good" but perhaps you could see this as a good motivator to lose some weight. Supplementing regular cardio helps to tone the body and make the strength to weight ratio increase. Bouldering is a high intensity exercise that targets most major muscle groups of the body. While some can stay effortlessly lean, many struggle to change their habits to a […] This adaptability makes rock climbing a perfect fit for anyone looking to improve their health and lose weight, regardless of their current fitness level. Read on to learn what makes rock climbing a workout, the potential health benefits, and Feb 10, 2025 · In summary, bouldering is a highly effective form of exercise that can burn between 500 to 900 calories per hour, depending on factors such as weight, climbing intensity, duration, and route grade. This way we could get strong quickly, or in other words, increase our strength-to-weight ratio. Rock climbing offers a dynamic and effective way to lose weight while building strength and endurance. While you might not get the same calorie burn from indoor rock climbing off the bat, you have a clear progressive element that most weight loss plans can’t match. 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. Indoor rock climbing and bouldering are becoming more and more popular as fantastic forms of burning fat. Aug 9, 2023 · The factor of weight in bouldering, and climbing in general, is a complex one, as it heavily depends on personal preference and goals. 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). Bouldering targets the whole upper body (forearms, arms, back), core, back and lower body (glutes and legs). Dec 14, 2024 · Bouldering encourages you to stretch, reach, and move your body in different ways. Learn about gear, nutrition, hangboarding, on-the-wall workouts, and more! 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. edit is that GRR kitchener?. However, bouldering and climbing is literally the best, but I wouldn't do it to help you lose weight. Every pound matters and if you fall in love with climbing, you will almost certainly want to fall back into good habits. In this article, learn how to lose weight safely by making long-term lifestyle changes. Both can be done outdoors but nowadays most people will start at a climbing gym. It’s a full-body workout that gets your heart rate up and burns calories. A good way to lose weight would be rope climbing once a week, ideally up down up like on an autobelay. Other than that do what you want. I can still climb 5. Cutting back on what you eat is a far easier and more effective way to lose weight than exercise. Add in healthy eating and you can start losing some weight. There are probably faster ways to burn calories than climbing, chiefly aerobic activities such as running and swimming. There are a few general tips that can help the majority of climbers lose weight, but before I get into that, I want to clarify a few things about body weight. If you type "climbers" into any search engine and click images, you'll see pictures of strong-looking folks ascending impossible-looking mountain faces. Its unique blend of physical challenges engages multiple muscle groups and burns calories efficiently. Jun 22, 2024 · Hundreds of fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. 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. Rock climbing is also an excellent form of exercise for a variety of reasons, which we’ll dive into below. See full list on climbernews. Rock climbing is a good exercise to complement any weight loss plan, it combines cardio and strength for a great workout. Here's how to approach weight loss in a sensible, science-backed manner. Jul 3, 2023 · Think beyond cardio equipment or weights and consider rock climbing for weight loss. 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. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, check with your doctor first Feb 23, 2020 · Will Rock Climbing Help Me Lose Weight? Many people look to climbing as a fun and effective way to exercise with the goal to lose weight and improve their appearance. Bouldering won’t help you lose weight but it’s a great way to gain muscle if you get seriously into it. Let’s delve into the details, using key aspects of fitness, nutrition, and climbing-specific factors. Lower body weight is more helpful for sport/route climbing than bouldering, and that Is it safe to start climbing if you are overweight? I am working on losing weight 200 lbs 5'9 I am trying to get to 150ish but I just got introduced to climbing and I obviously know I can't do like insane stuff but like can very basic climbing be a good way to workout and be relatively safe? As a fitness regime, I feel like rock climbing doesn't make me lose weight or get ripped. Unfortunately, weight loss is not a gimme for most people. Jan 12, 2024 · Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight? It’s a complicated question. First, you need to make sure you are practicing these activities regularly and consistently. That said, I always found cardio to be good for weight loss. But can you really lose weight by practicing rock climbing or bouldering? The answer is yes, but it depends on a few factors. Additionally, bouldering also improves flexibility, strength, endurance, and Jan 12, 2024 · Share This Post Table of Contents Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight? It’s a tricky question. This article lists down some of the best and fun exercises that you can consider for weight loss. Aside from the obvious muscles such as the back, shoulders, and arms, bouldering also targets the core and legs. These healthy changes include eating a balanced diet and moving more each day. I'm currently 91kg (186cm) and have a mainly sedentary lifestyle (which is what I'm trying to change). 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. In a way Feb 19, 2016 · Rock climbing is a weight-intensive sport. 12 around 155. If you’re new to rock climbing, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. People here will be cautious with giving you advice on losing weight to get better. Mar 17, 2023 · Being the most powerful and dynamic form of rock climbing, bouldering is the ideal full-body workout. Here are six tips to help you start your weight-loss journey. But you need to also have a healthy diet and nutrition to lose weight! Feb 13, 2025 · Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. 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. I feel best/healthiest around 145/140. Sep 30, 2023 · It's easy to build endurance on a bouldering or spray wall. It also connects to lots of really good weight loss activities such as hiking. If you kept a good steady HR for, say, 3 sets of 10 minutes each, it would be good fat burning cardio and have better specificity since it’s actually climbing. 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 In terms of diet and weight loss, I highly recommend this calorie tracking app called MacroFactor. So, is climbing a good workout? Whether you’re bouldering, rock climbing, indoor climbing, or lead climbing, it’s safe to say that climbing is a good workout. Many climbers—particularly competitive climbers—try to optimize that by losing weight. That means consuming fewer calories than you burn. It’s a challenging and fun activity that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your overall fitness. Exercise is always the first thought in mind when it comes to losing weight, but not all people are born with the drive to do it. Aug 17, 2024 · Is Rock Climbing a Good Workout for Weight Loss? Yes, rock climbing is a great workout for weight loss. So I'd lift weights for chest 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. You should also try to limit refined sugars where possible as they cause inflammation throughout the body. Yes, people lose weight bouldering, and people do so intentionally to climb better because it's just simply easier to climb up a wall with less weight dragging you down. You are more prone to injuries especially finger ones starting heavy so just be mindful of that. Can an overweight person do bouldering? Many heavy people have successfully taken up the sport and find themselves enjoying it enormously. In terms of cardio, honestly, don’t over do it with tons of heavy cardio. Assuming you're relatively muscular, climbing trips (at least 7 days) are a good way to lose weight. If you think about the work required to burn 500 calories (whether that's running, climbing, whatever), that's more effort than reducing your intake. 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. May 7, 2025 · Bouldering is an effective way to lose weight and increase muscular mass, which ultimately boosts metabolism and aids in fat burning. Is climbing a good way to lose weight? If your body isn’t up for it, rock climbing can be rough. 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. Like others have said Jul 1, 2022 · Similarly, being overweight also shouldn’t stop you from trying bouldering — in fact bouldering can be a great way to lose weight, if that’s a goal of yours. 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 is feasible to use rock climbing as part of a healthy lifestyle to weight loss. But the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make lasting lifestyle changes. I go bouldering twice per week and running 3-5 times a week usually running 5k. And yes, bouldering does work out the entire body. Thus, this sport is a great way to shed a few pounds or if you want to increase your fitness level. 80-90% of weight loss is diet. Distance running is a great way for me to burn a large number of calories. But even then you can slowly build up as you train. But how is rock climbing a good sport to lose weight? Read […] Best way to lose weight is through diet. If you 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. Additional benefits of bouldering include helping improve balance, increase body awareness, and encourage mental Sep 27, 2016 · Nutrition is highly individualistic, but following these simple guidelines will put you on a path to optimal performance. Either way, it’s one of the most effective ways to burn calories and lose weight. That’s what we’d recommend for beginners as it means can learn in a safe environment. Read his insights here. Where There’s A Will, There’s a Way to Weigh Less Performance rock climbing is all about strength-to-weight ratio. That being said, you should pair good diet with exercise, and climbing can be that exercise. Jun 27, 2022 · Climbing requires good cardio, strength, and endurance. Not a great lower body muscle builder. Dec 8, 2023 · Is Rock Climbing an Effective Way to Lose Weight? Losing weight requires hitting a calorie deficit. Especially so if you do some harder routes. It’s thought that it could be one of the best full body workouts around. Nov 10, 2017 · Is rock climbing a good workout? We asked one of our lead trainers about the physical health benefits of rock climbing. Nov 14, 2022 · Credit: outdoorinquirer. You should increase climbing time and decrease weight lifting time. 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. 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. 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. 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. Probably wouldn't recommend doing both on the same day unless your eating well. Overweight people who lose pounds with regular bouldering find themselves with a strength and technique advantage. Ready to Elevate Your Fitness? yeah, in terms of “getting fit” I think bouldering isn’t that great of a workout. com Aug 11, 2021 · Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight? And how does it compare to other exercises? A look at all things weight loss for rock climbing and bouldering. Oct 21, 2022 · Why is rock climbing good for losing weight? Does rock climbing burn fat? Resistance training is an important part of weight loss as you want to build and preserve calorically expensive muscle tissue. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. However, it's great motivation to try to lose weight. Due to the fact that it’s an exercise that includes both strength and cardio, it helps to burn fat but without causing you to lose muscle. We go over how many calories climbing burns in lead, bouldering, belaying, and more. As others have said, climbing isn't really a weight loss activity. I think overall, she is on point with her advice, but her long article may deter some from reading, which in Nov 1, 2023 · Rock climbing offers a way to relive those childhood moments while getting an incredible full-body workout. It is especially good at strengthening the arms, shoulders, and back, but also requires good leg and core strength. Your body composition will start to shift naturally. Hey all, I'm interested in whether I can use bouldering as a way to get fit / exercise method or whether I'm going to have to lose weight and gain muscle before I start. The muscle group you use most when climbing is your back, particular your lats. Building muscle will help burn fat, and indoor rock climbing burns off calories too. Nov 22, 2021 · Rock climbing is an excellent workout, but it can be rough if your body isn’t up for it. Your body contains 4 basic components: muscle, fat, water, and bone. Generally bouldering is a good way to both stay/get fit, but done without care you can also injure yourself very easily. 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. good way to stay active, but if you’re goal is to lose weight or get stronger you should just be running/weights/tracking food and boulder because it’s fun. How you do that, in a sustainable way, while maintaining power and performance is another question and something I'm terrible at myself :- ( A lot of people fall for trap foods like avocado that are super high in calories, even though they are a fruit and seem like they should be good for weight loss. But is that bad beta? A high strength-to-weight ratio is needed in climbing. Sep 5, 2023 · Weight limits in rock climbing can be a common concern for beginners and individuals with larger body types. Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. Jun 26, 2025 · Burning calories - If you want to lose weight, rock climbing is your game. Saying not to calorie count because it might lead to a disorder is like saying don't lose weight because you might get an eating disorder and start pushing the weight loss too far. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 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, what is a good diet for rock climbing? Rock climbing requires fresh vegetables, healthy fats such as omega 3 and omega 6, unprocessed foods and lean proteins. 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. 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. In fact, bouldering uses the same muscles groups used in weightlifting. Body mass can block view of footholds and interfere with movement along against the wall. Check out r/loseit for a lot of good information. Jun 19, 2023 · Strength-to-weight ratios are key performance indicators for climbers. 13 I could get my hands on) or so. I actually gained a little weight and lost my cardiovascular fitness when I dropped weight lifting and running for climbing because I loved it so much and had limited free time. I also really love bouldering/climbing so I've got both a membership at a climbing place and one in a "regular" g Mar 1, 2024 · The following exercises are a sample strength training workout created by Rob for one of his rock climbing clients. A significant factor why we tend to be heavier in modern society is our everyday lives and that we always have food available. As with any form of exercise, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Feb 15, 2022 · Came across an article called “ How to Lose Weight for Climbing” by Neely Quinn. It is a good way to build muscles and give yourself a more toned physique, making it a great way to take your fitness to the next level. Is Rock Climbing Good for Weight Loss? Rock climbing can be a great way to lose weight. Strength > weight. I find this a great way to compliment different muscle groups as well as improving fitness. 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. While technically there is no “defined” weight limit for climbers 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. The best advice is to build foundational strength, get diet in check, learn basics and foundations of training including recovery, and extremely light bouldering/top roping. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, check with your doctor first and get the OK. While it’s a popular recreational activity, many people also wonder if it’s a good way to lose weight. 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. oqjytj uluxrn nmnavxk xmbqwsp azwhr idkzz yfob qqvsd dtq bwi