Is bouldering a good way to lose weight. I feel best/healthiest around 145/140.


Is bouldering a good way to lose weight. If you’re new to rock climbing, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. From talking about why it’s good for weight loss to discussing the importance of your diet when it comes to bouldering, we’ll cover it all. This is called a calorie deficit. Probably wouldn't recommend doing both on the same day unless your eating well. A good way to lose weight would be rope climbing once a week, ideally up down up like on an autobelay. 5 pounds (lighter climbers try lighter weight; if that feels too easy, go for 2 or 2. Burning calories - If you want to lose weight, rock climbing is your game. If you can not do 8 reps you need to decrease the weight. In terms of diet and weight loss, I highly recommend this calorie tracking app called MacroFactor. It's funny because I used to write about how to lose weight on paleoplan. Losing weight is the fastest way to go up grades imho whether or not you have technique down (though technique is the most important for successful long-term climbing). It’s thought that it could be one of the best full body workouts around. Like others have said Aug 9, 2023 · In the world of bouldering, conversations about weight can often be fraught with misconceptions. I think this is the right answer here in this thread…. 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. In fact, bouldering uses the same muscles groups used in weightlifting. I find this a great way to compliment different muscle groups as well as improving fitness. We believe that a healthy lifestyle encompasses more than just physical Feb 28, 2025 · Fad diets and rapid weight loss can be unsafe and often lead to regaining weight later on. It is especially good at strengthening the arms, shoulders, and back, but also requires good leg and core strength. Now you've got zero excuses to lose the last five pounds! Besides building a good base level of forearm strength before you engage in more intense off-the-wall training, bouldering also trains core and upper body strength in a very sport specific way. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. It’s easy to track, and doesn’t require any additional testing for new holds. 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. Jun 28, 2023 · In fact, a 155-pound person can burn up to 500 calories in just one hour of rock climbing or bouldering. Ever notice how men tend to lose weight more easily than women? It’s because they have more lean muscle mass. 12's/working any . Jan 2, 2018 · There are many things you can do to lose weight and improve health. Here are the 25 best diet tips, which you can start implementing now. We’ll get to the ultimate take away in a second, but here is my recommendation. Go bouldering, or do some resistance training FOR climbing. First, you need to make sure you are practicing these activities regularly and consistently. 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. 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. This training will workout the forearms to improve strength. Jan 25, 2016 · With these creative diet and exercise ideas, you'll have fun while you lose weight. But you need to also have a healthy diet and nutrition to lose weight! Feb 19, 2016 · Rock climbing is a weight-intensive sport. My Recommendation OK, so we have heard some compelling reasons for and against running. Rock climbing in particular is pretty biased toward pulling, although if you're a good climber you'll push and use your legs quite a bit as well. 5" climber, My peak climbing weight WAS 130/135 (onsighting or flashing all 5. I've been climbing for ~8 years now and I cut weight every season for my projects outdoors. Jan 14, 2020 · performance rock climbing—we all know it’s helpful to feel like you’ve slipped through gravity’s fingers. 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. Its unique blend of physical challenges engages multiple muscle groups and burns calories efficiently. 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. Your body composition will start to shift naturally. Especially so if you do some harder routes. Most gyms have a bit of both and it’s worth trying each one. Seems like a good way to gain a bunch of weight that's just going to be hard to lose later. Once I realised that fat is fine but sugars and carbs are the problem I started to lose the weight. You should increase climbing time and decrease weight lifting time. I go bouldering twice per week and running 3-5 times a week usually running 5k. 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. Either way, it’s one of the most effective ways to burn calories and lose weight. But is that bad beta? A high strength-to-weight ratio is needed in climbing. Depending on the type of rock-climbing you do, rock-climbing can replace HIIT workouts, cardio, and resistance training. com all the time. Mar 27, 2021 · Is Bouldering Good For Weight Loss? We’re talking about both bouldering and rock climbing for weight loss in this article as they’re very similar. Body Composition First of all, body weight alone is not a good indication of your body composition. 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. Nov 14, 2023 · Rachel MacPherson, CPT, breaks down the 10 best weight loss exercises to help you melt stubborn body fat for good. Mar 17, 2023 · Being the most powerful and dynamic form of rock climbing, bouldering is the ideal full-body workout. It’s essentially the same technique and goals over different heights. 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. I'm currently 91kg (186cm) and have a mainly sedentary lifestyle (which is what I'm trying to change). But can you really lose weight by practicing rock climbing or bouldering? The answer is yes, but it depends on a few factors. Jun 9, 2025 · Bouldering is an effective way to lose weight and increase muscular mass, which ultimately boosts metabolism and aids in fat burning. Most elite level climbers sit at around 135lb-165lb (from what I can tell). My goal is weight loss (especially around the belly) and general fitness. Not a great lower body muscle builder. However, rock climbing very much makes me want to lose weight and get ripped. As others have said, climbing isn't really a weight loss activity. 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. 13 I could get my hands on) or so. Best way to lose weight is through diet. It also connects to lots of really good weight loss activities such as hiking. Dec 13, 2024 · The best diets for weight loss are safe, sustainable, and healthy. Nov 22, 2021 · Rock climbing is an excellent workout, but it can be rough if your body isn’t up for it. 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. Our writer (a bouldering Another good way to improve forearm strength is using a dumbbell. Apr 1, 2025 · Lose weight quickly: Fad and stringent diets are not sustainable in the long run. com Jan 12, 2024 · Share This Post Table of Contents Is rock climbing a good way to lose weight? It’s a tricky question. Aside from the obvious muscles such as the back, shoulders, and arms, bouldering also targets the core and legs. Placing MY ideal climbing weight around 20 BMI but ideal training weight around 22. Feb 13, 2025 · Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. Dec 14, 2024 · Bouldering encourages you to stretch, reach, and move your body in different ways. If you plateau and want to loose weight at some point, go for it. 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. This article aims to demystify the relationship between a climber's weight and their bouldering abilities, providing a balanced perspective for Dec 9, 2024 · Highly effective, well-researched ways lose weight include limiting processed foods, drinking more green tea, and taking probiotics. Strength training to build muscle also boosts your metabolism and makes those insulin receptors more sensitive, helping you to lose weight. In this article, learn how to lose weight safely by making long-term lifestyle changes. Your medical weight loss program is the perfect time to try new things Jun 27, 2022 · Climbing requires good cardio, strength, and endurance. I also really love bouldering/climbing so I've got both a membership at a climbing place and one in a "regular" g I'd never tell someone to lose weight to improve their climbing unless they are overweight but if you are, one of the best things you can do to improve not only your climbing but your general health is to get to a more manageable weight. After reading our new guide, you’ll be on your way to losing weight quickly in five simple steps. Weight loss is 90% dietary. 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. 5 pounds) to every set in your next workout. The best way to do this is by increasing the weight you’re holding. Many climbers, especially beginners, wonder if there's an "ideal" weight for bouldering and how their own body weight might impact their performance. And by filling up on a massive breakfast, I found it much easier to eat less throughout the day. 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. 80-90% of weight loss is diet. Regular rock-climbing, combined with a healthy diet, should be able to help you lose weight. Jun 22, 2024 · Hundreds of fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. It’s a challenging and fun activity that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your overall fitness. I feel best/healthiest around 145/140. ” Climber weight loss is bad beta Most climbers think that the simple act of losing weight will help them climb better. My plan was to basically maintain my gym split but to climb on back days instead. Engaging in activities like biking, jogging, swimming, rowing, and hiking on weekends complements bouldering well. Cutting back on what you eat is a far easier and more effective way to lose weight than exercise. That means consuming fewer calories than you burn. Unfortunately, weight loss is not a gimme for most people. But the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make lasting lifestyle changes. You can use a calorie calculator such as the one linked below. Check out r/loseit for a lot of good information. Add 1. Jul 29, 2015 · Answer: I can’t. You did that indirectly, by cutting on carbs, eating high protein (which is usually satiating), and doing daily exercise. Learn about gear, nutrition, hangboarding, on-the-wall workouts, and more! 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. I think dropping weight comes really into play when you want youre endurance climbing to improve. While some can stay effortlessly lean, many struggle to change their habits to a […] Dec 8, 2023 · Is Rock Climbing an Effective Way to Lose Weight? Losing weight requires hitting a calorie deficit. But at what point does body weight really start to matter? Is it v7? v10? v13? At what point does "being strong" hit its limit and the only way to climb harder is to weigh less? This means it’s time to up the difficulty. Although it looks easy and fun, many people fail to appreciate the degree of physical exertion required to master this sport. 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. In a way Nov 1, 2023 · Rock climbing offers a way to relive those childhood moments while getting an incredible full-body workout. 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. 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. There are probably faster ways to burn calories than climbing, chiefly aerobic activities such as running and swimming. Here are six tips to help you start your weight-loss journey. May 30, 2025 · The coach’s reply: “Lose weight. 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. If your weight loss efforts have hit a wall, why not climb it? Rock climbing is becoming an increasingly popular activity, and for good reason: rock climbing is a challenge for both the body and the mind, an invigorating workout that can boost your metabolism, strengthen your muscles and, of course, be a lot of fun. Nov 8, 2023 · But what can bouldering be used for? Is bouldering a good form of exercise? Will it help you lose weight? In this article, we’ll discuss why bouldering is a great addition to your exercise routine. And yes, bouldering does work out the entire body. If you can easily do 10 reps you need to add weight. 5 to 2. My knuckles have gotten pretty burly, though. I mostly boulder out of convenience but I also sport, trad, freesolo, and mountaineer. . Weight loss helps many medical conditions, and rock climbing is an excellent way to drop a few pounds. Roll the dumbbell up your fingers to a fist. Practicing portion control is a quick way to do this. But how is rock climbing a good sport to lose weight? Read […] Aug 17, 2024 · Is Rock Climbing a Good Workout for Weight Loss? Yes, rock climbing is a great workout for weight loss. Nov 10, 2017 · Is rock climbing a good workout? We asked one of our lead trainers about the physical health benefits of rock climbing. However, it's great motivation to try to lose weight. Feb 15, 2022 · Came across an article called “ How to Lose Weight for Climbing” by Neely Quinn. 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. As an alternative, you can do other ways to burn fat, including sports such as rock climbing. In terms of cardio, honestly, don’t over do it with tons of heavy cardio. 12 around 155. 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. Bouldering offers a fun way to improve your body, while also improving your mind, confidence, and reducing stress levels. 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. Overweight people who lose pounds with regular bouldering find themselves with a strength and technique advantage. An hour of climbing can burn up to 600 calories, depending on the intensity and duration of the climb. You should also try to limit refined sugars where possible as they cause inflammation throughout the body. Lower body weight is more helpful for sport/route climbing than bouldering, and that 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). But even then you can slowly build up as you train. Climbing Magazine | Bouldering, Trad, Alpine, and Sport Climbing Redirecting The only way to lose weight is to ingest less calories than your body uses. Every pound matters and if you fall in love with climbing, you will almost certainly want to fall back into good habits. 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. Feb 27, 2025 · The good news is you can do something about insulin resistance. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, check with your doctor first 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. 11+/5. 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. I think overall, she is on point with her advice, but her long article may deter some from reading, which in People here will be cautious with giving you advice on losing weight to get better. That said, I always found cardio to be good for weight loss. Here are some of the best workouts for climbers and boulderers. Read his insights here. Here I go into each only briefly but include a link to a separate article on Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, our general fitness tips page provides information on a range of topics, including workout plans, the best gear available now and tips for staying motivated. Body mass can block view of footholds and interfere with movement along against the wall. 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. These are the best science-backed diets recommended by nutritionists. Apr 29, 2025 · To lose weight, a person must take in fewer calories than the body burns. This isn’t a bad goal to have, but bear in mind that rock climbing is a sport that takes a certain level of investment before you’ll start to see physical results. Learn one way to increase this ratio via optimizing body composition. The muscle group you use most when climbing is your back, particular your lats. And it is a good use of time, it is specific, and it helps with weight loss. These healthy changes include eating a balanced diet and moving more each day. While technically there is no “defined” weight limit for climbers We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Feb 23, 2020 · Many people look to climbing as a fun and effective way to exercise with the goal to lose weight and improve their appearance. 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. inefficient? 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. But is there a hidden cost to rapidly losing weight? Moreover, is there a more advantageous and sustainable way to change body composition? Physiological effects of rapid weight loss When you lose weight, you lose mass. Because rock climbing is such an intense aerobic activity and it requires a healthy body weight to be 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. Jun 27, 2024 · With climbing centres popping up around the country, bouldering – a form of climbing which involves scaling low walls without ropes or harnesses – is blowing up. Reply reply TheSunflowerSeeds • Reply reply Assuming you're relatively muscular, climbing trips (at least 7 days) are a good way to lose weight. Rock climbing offers a dynamic and effective way to lose weight while building strength and endurance. Here's how to approach weight loss in a sensible, science-backed manner. Sep 5, 2023 · Weight limits in rock climbing can be a common concern for beginners and individuals with larger body types. there are far more effective ways to train climbing technique and strength so doing 10 lb weight bulk and cuts just to train so your body can climb at a heavier weight is just extremely…. However, bouldering and climbing is literally the best, but I wouldn't do it to help you lose weight. 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. Apr 12, 2016 · Rock climbing is a weight-intensive sport. Rock climbing is excellent for weight loss because it works multiple muscle groups, promotes calorie burn, muscle development, cardiovascular health and enhances overall fitness. Bouldering is a high intensity exercise that targets most major muscle groups of the body. 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. The safest way to lose weight is to count calories so that you lose 1 pound a week. Ready to Elevate Your Fitness? Avoid low fat versions of things because typically they taste less good and they have more sugar. Many climbs require you to step high, twist, or stretch to grab holds, which naturally improves flexibility and range of motion over time. yeah, in terms of “getting fit” I think bouldering isn’t that great of a workout. Without hard evidence, but i think weight managment in boulderers or sportclimbers plays a slightly different role. Distance running is a great way for me to burn a large number of calories. What is the “real” way to lose weight, what actually works? What are the best meals and exercises for weight loss? Jun 19, 2025 · Do you want to lose weight as quickly as possible? When it comes to fast weight loss, it’s important to take a healthy approach. See full list on outuro. As a fellow 5'8. Jun 19, 2023 · Strength-to-weight ratios are key performance indicators for climbers. If you type "climbers" into any search engine and click images, you'll see pictures of strong-looking folks ascending impossible-looking mountain faces. Training methods There are four popular methods of training grip strength. I can still climb 5. All repetitions should be high enough that you can just do 8 - 10. As a fitness regime, I feel like rock climbing doesn't make me lose weight or get ripped. For optimal weight loss, it's advisable to incorporate bouldering workouts 3-4 times a week. Bouldering will build muscle in upper body and core. Your body contains 4 basic components: muscle, fat, water, and bone. Read on to learn what makes rock climbing a workout, the potential health benefits, and Building muscle will help burn fat, and indoor rock climbing burns off calories too. Learn how to lose fat and shed pounds safely and effectively. 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. Jul 3, 2023 · Think beyond cardio equipment or weights and consider rock climbing for weight loss. More mentally engaging than stationary equipment, you’ll have fun while getting in a great workout. Remember, these are just samples, you may need to adjust the weight or number of sets and repetitions. Many climbers—particularly competitive climbers—try to optimize that by losing weight. Sep 1, 2020 · (APA Westcott) BAM! So, there you go. Learn more here. I’ve seen so many ways to “lose weight” certain drinks, pills, keto, fasting, putting trash bags over you to sweat more, certain exercises, etc. That being said, you should pair good diet with exercise, and climbing can be that exercise. Aug 3, 2010 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. So I'd lift weights for chest May 22, 2025 · Bouldering is a sub-category of rock climbing that involves climbing small, artificial rock formations called boulders. This adaptability makes rock climbing a perfect fit for anyone looking to improve their health and lose weight, regardless of their current fitness level. 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. I find that your rate of improvement is fastest when you're climbing for at least an hour (closer to two is ideal), three times a week. Rock climbing is a good exercise to complement any weight loss plan, it combines cardio and strength for a great workout. Rock climbing is also an excellent form of exercise for a variety of reasons, which we’ll dive into below. How you do that, in a sustainable way, while maintaining power and performance is another question and something I'm terrible at myself :- ( Can an overweight person do bouldering? Many heavy people have successfully taken up the sport and find themselves enjoying it enormously. Mar 1, 2024 · The following exercises are a sample strength training workout created by Rob for one of his rock climbing clients. 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. Feb 8, 2022 · Complete beginner's guide to bouldering training. Obesity, however, can be an issue for technical reasons. Like any fitness endeavor, climbing burns calories, so it does contribute to weight loss. A significant factor why we tend to be heavier in modern society is our everyday lives and that we always have food available. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, check with your doctor first and get the OK. 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. Add in healthy eating and you can start losing some weight. lqhy hyvdhzas hlscrs ixqsl ywcpdy zjlusl iggtkr jrivg zpfjhkawb dnhlzd