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British Climbing Walls |
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Sod the gym. If you want a hot body and a raised heart beat get yourself to an indoor climbing wall. Jon Kirk, climber, news hound and former Chalk magazine editor, picks the best Click to view Top 5 British Climbing Walls.
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Overview |
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 Rock climbing has increased in popularity dramatically in the last couple of decades, both as a recreational activity, and as a competitive sport.
According to a recent study published by the University of British Colombia, there are as many as seven million enthusiasts worldwide – and numbers continue to grow.
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Getting Started |
 Before buying any equipment, try a taster session at your local wall. The British Mountaineering Council, the sport’s official body, has a handy guide to more than 250 indoor walls across the UK on its website. It also lists hundreds of climbing clubs, most of which will happily invite you on one of their excursions. |
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 Climbing equipment can be expensive, so think fit and practicality before you buy. Basic indoor kit will usually include climbing shoes, a chalk bag, harness, rope, and a belay plate with karabiner. Helmets are at your own discretion. Good gear retailers will help you choose what stuff is right for you.
Within weeks, most people notice a sizeable improvement in their climbing - and often their waistline. Keep training and you could reach the hazy heights of the elite – like former world champion Jerry Moffatt (pictured). |
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| ONE TO WATCH |
Climbing Works, a vast new indoor wall, has been built in Sheffield.
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 The UK’s largest dedicated bouldering complex, with around 1,000sq metres of surface at every angle imaginable, opened its doors to the public early in December. There Britain’s best route-setters intend to provide hundreds of problems with a good spread of grades of difficulty (from Font 5a to 8b, for those familiar with the grading system). |
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