Physical Skills Needed for Rock Climbing

Pretty much just about everyone can rock climb at some level. There are physical skills that will help you excel at rock climbing but don’t be put off if you’re not in the best shape. Rock climbing offers grades for kids all the way up to the Olympic megastars of the climbing world which means no matter your body shape you can usually get started pretty quickly.

Now as mentioned these skills are not a necessity but something that will help you cruise through grades and progress quicker if you have them.

#1 A Strong Core

While you might be sick of hearing about “strengthening your core” it’s one of the most useful physical skills needed for rock climbing at the harder grades, A strong core allows you to maintain body tension and pull yourself closer to the wall. It’s even more useful on overhangs as it will allow you to keep the tension required to scale these steep inclines.

#2 Finger Strength

Finger strength is also vital to climbing at a harder level than you are used to. As the grades increase in climbing you will find yourself having smaller and smaller holds to grip/holds to use and due to this most climbers often look to improve their finger strength to allow them to attempt hard and hard grades.

#3 Precise Footwork

Footwork is one of the most important tools in a climber’s workbox and can make impossible moves doable and doable moves easy. Correct and precise footwork is something that separates a good climber from bad and is an important skill that you are constantly learning.

#4 Strong Forearms

It’s fairly often after seeing someone start climbing to see their forearms double in size! While it’s likely they are doing a little too much pull with their arms and not enough pushing with their legs forearms are one of the backbones in the climber’s muscle groups. Used extensively every session it’s often you leave the climbing gym feeling the pump in both your forearms.

#5 Back Muscles

Back muscles play a big part in any pulling action and climbing as you know if full of pulling motions (and a lot of grunting) having a strong set of back muscles will help you share the load between your chest and forearms when pulling and allow you to perform some moves much easier.

Don’t worry if you feel like you are lacking some of these skills as the great thing about rock climbing is you will develop all of these skills just by turning up to the gym and messing around on climbs.