Read 73 times since Monday, July 25, 2011
Bouldering is a lot like climbing so if you are already familiar with sport climbing then picking up on this won't be a problem for you. In many ways the two sports are the same, the main difference in this is you don't use ropes.
To get started you will want to get yourself the right equipment. Start with shoes, climbing shoes will give you an untold advantage over someone who is wearing your regular sneaker brand shoe.
The rubber on climbing shoes is much sturdier than a regular shoe; this will give you a lot more traction against the rock. When you have traction you can more easily maintain your balance when climbing.
You will also want to invest in a crash pad. A crash pad is exactly what it sounds like, a small mattress like pad with folding capabilities and straps for easy carrying.
It will come as no surprise; a crash pad is a pad you place underneath your climbing area, so in case of a fall you won't have to land on hard earth. Don't be discouraged if you fall, most people do, and that is why crash pads are a market-able item.
Chalk is another thing you will probably want. Just like climbing shoes, being designed specifically to benefit you in climbing by adding traction to your feet, chalk will absorb the moisture in your hands giving you a sturdier grip.
Before you begin climbing you will want to stretch your entire body thoroughly. In bouldering you will perform more dynamic maneuvers than you would in sport climbing, thus straining muscles harder than in sport climbing.
This will work your fore arms intensely and strengthen you core as well. In fact climbing will just about work every muscle in your body and is a great way to stay fit.
There are multiple types of climbs you can do in bouldering. There is the traverse, where you move side-ways across a rock never increasing your altitude, so as to never increase risk of injury in case of a fall.
You can also find yourself some small boulders, hence the name, it is common to climb 8 to 12 feet. Although some of the more daring climbers will climb boulders up to 15 to 20 feet high, this however is not recommended.
When climbing anything vertical it is good to have a spotter. The spotter will stand underneath you while you ascend the rock and act as a guard against you and the ground.
So if there were an accident and you suddenly found yourself rapidly moving toward the ground, the spotter could catch you comfortably in his or her arms. Or at least act as a sort of human cushion between you and the earth.
So use the right equipment and always keep a buddy around when climbing. Remember to enjoy and have fun. Destry Masterson is an author who has written hundreds of articles. She publishes articles for http://www.sprinklersystemstore.com and recommends them for sprinkler parts.
Contact Info:
Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson
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