5 Reasons You Should Start Climbing in 2019

Why not make trying something new your goal for 2019? If you’re looking for a new hobby that will be amazing for nearly every facet of your existence, look no further than the great sport of rock climbing. Here are five reasons that climbing should be your new lifestyle choice in 2019.

1. Climbing is a fun way to get fit!

If you’ve had trouble in the past getting yourself into physical activity, it might be because a lot of physical activities suck. Running can be boring, lifting can be hard to do (especially if your local crunch fitness gets crowded in the evenings) and let’s be real, Hot Power Vinyasa Yoga in a 90 degree studio might make you want to puke.

Climbing is an awesome workout. It helps you to build muscle, it is goal-oriented, and it is mentally involved so you don’t get bored while you do it. When you climb, you are trying to finish the route—which is a little more interesting than a bunch of push-ups.

2. You will meet new people

This year I moved from Ohio to New Jersey. Upon my arrival I had a handful of friends at my company, one buddy from college, and that’s about it. Want to know where I made friends first? The climbing gym. The climbing community at large is friendly, diverse, and in most cases extravagantly welcoming. If you want to make new friends, a climbing gym is a great place to start.

3. Getting out of your comfort zone is really important

Afraid of heights? Don’t like exercise? Scared to try something new? If you answered yes to any of those then you should make 2019 the year you conquer that limitation!

I was very afraid of heights when I started climbing. I have been seen crying on top rope on a thirty foot tall gym wall. CRYING. I’ve had to work on my fear of heights and I have mostly gotten over it. Now I take big whips and climb ropeless above the sea! You have to start somewhere and you have to get out of your comfort zone–or you’re going to miss out on the best things in life. Seriously.

4. You might be motivated to eat better

I used to make nutritional resolutions all the time before I started climbing. I have a horrible sweet tooth so I would make goals like “try to only eat one sweet thing a day”, “no processed sugars on weekdays” and on and on. I was never really motivated to keep up with this because honestly feeling like I look good in a bikini isn’t really enough motivation for me to eat better. The desire to climb hard is way more motivating. If you fuel your body well, you climb better. My eating resolutions stuck a lot better once I got a real source of motivation. Eat better, climb harder. Simple as that.

5. You will explore new places outside and have fun with your friends!

Becoming a climber is a great way to get yourself outside with your friends. Instead of hitting the bar on the weekends, you’ll spend Saturday night sitting around a campfire after an awesome day out with your buddies. It doesn’t get much better than that. Quality time spent outdoors with friends and loved ones is priceless. Here are some of the cool places that climbing has taken me in just the past year and a half.

Climbing changed my life in so many ways. I cannot recommend it enough and it is never too late to start. So what are you waiting for!? 2019 is the year you start climbing, so grab a friend or two and get out there!

When did you start climbing? How long have you been doing it for? I’d love to hear your story below in the comments!

If you’d like to gain some insight into your strengths and weaknesses as a climber, check out my climbing theme song quiz! While it’s definitely a good time, it shines a light onto the aspects of your training and climbing that might be holding you back and keeping you in a plateau. And once you get your result, I’ll also send you some tips and tricks to help your training and climbing more effective and efficient!