Rock climbing has a way of sinking its teeth into someone. Whenever you come across someone passionate about climbing, they’re really passionate about climbing. It’s all they do. They think about it all day. Their entire fitness regimen is in pursuit of climbing harder. Having an obsession for a sport is by no means unique to climbing, but I do think that climbing has an unnaturally high conversion rate. Why is that?
It’s a fun way to keep fit
For one, climbing is just fun. Most people will have childhood memories of climbing things; trees and household furniture and random things in public. Playgrounds are never just flat areas, but will have vertical elements for kids to clamber up and around on. The joy of climbing things is imprinted in our human psyche. It’s no surprise then that we as adults are also drawn to the act of climbing.
Not only is it fun, but climbing is a great way to keep fit too. For me this was a huge draw of the sport. Prior to climbing I did the occasional workout with weights, which I found boring and difficult to get motivated for. When I first tried climbing it was like a lightbulb moment. My first session I couldn’t climb for very long because I had no technique and little fitness, but I left the gym feeling extremely fulfilled. Here was something physically challenging and yet… fun!
There’s a sense of progression
I returned to the gym a week after my first session, having devoured hours of climbing tutorials on YouTube, and with my very first pair of climbing shoes in hand. Over the next few sessions I found myself making slow but steady progress. Experiencing this progress inspired me to keep turning up to the gym.
The sense of progression in climbing is somewhat unique in sports. Each climb has a difficulty grade. There are different grading systems but a simple one is the Hueco grading scale for bouldering, which is simply a number from V0 to V15+. With a grading system, one is able to track progression on a more granular level compared to other skill sports like, for example, mountain biking.
Climbing being a skill sport, there are other dimensions to progression than just a grade number. A climb you struggled on last week might feel like a piece of cake today. It’s not that you got that much stronger in a week, but perhaps because you’ve internalized some new technique or movement pattern that allows you to make that climb easy.
In climbing there’s a concept of “projecting”. Projecting is when you focus on sending (completing) a particular climb that’s at your limit. Sending the project might take 10 attempts, or 100 attempts, or even more. Some people even spend years working on a project. Each time you pull onto the wall you make a little more progress. It could be something as simple as being able to hold a body position for half a second longer. And before you know it, a climb that seemed impossible before is suddenly doable. The sense of accomplishment is like no other.
There’s a problem solving aspect
An aspect of climbing that isn’t immediately obvious to an onlooker is how much of the sport involves problem solving. Rock climbing is at its core, about getting from the bottom to the top. Unfortunately, nature isn’t so kind as to form nice ladders to climb up on. Each climb is unique, with different texture, holds, and geometry. Therefore a significant aspect of climbing is trying to figure out how to reach the top.
The problem solving aspect is a big reason why I enjoy the sport so much. It keeps things interesting. It’s easy to find motivation to visit the gym each week when I know there will be new puzzles to solve.
It’s social
Climbing is a surprisingly social sport. It’s not uncommon for strangers to cheer you on as you’re struggling up problem. The problem solving aspect also lends itself to socialization; it’s natural to strike up a conversation with someone to discuss how to send a problem.
Climbing is often organized as a social activity. Especially with bouldering, where you’re often sitting on the mat either resting between attempts or working out a solution to a problem. There’s lots of downtime where you’re not actively on the wall. During that downtime you could just be sitting around chatting with friends.
It takes you to amazing places
A while ago I had the opportunity to go climbing outdoors for the first time. Normally I’m not a big fan of travel; there just aren’t many places I’m keen on visiting. It was that climbing trip that made me reconsider. Being in that flow state, climbing up a cliff, with the exposure under me, and surrounded by scenery. I knew in that moment that’s what I want more of. Of course, Covid hit soon after and I haven’t managed to go on any trips since.
Climbing is one of those sports that will take you out to beautiful locations. Not only that, but the nature of the sport puts you high up above the ground. You’re offered a perspective of the world that people don’t usually get.
It has a low barrier to entry
With bouldering all you need is a pair of shoes. The past few years has seen a boom in climbing gyms in Singapore. With about 15 outlets across the country now, you’re never more than 30 minutes from one.
Given the surging popularity of climbing, it’s likely you know of at least one person who goes climbing regularly that you can tag along with. If not then gyms usually offer introductory classes. It can be intimidating to go to one alone, but don’t be worried. In fact, the very first time I climbed was at one of those introduction-to-bouldering sessions. I went alone, which didn’t matter at all because not only were the instructors friendly and welcoming, but the other gym-goers as well.
It’s no wonder that climbers find themselves drawn to showing up to the crag or gym, week after week after week. Each time getting a little stronger, a little better, a little smarter, and climbing a little harder.