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Getting back on the wall

Writer's picture: MarijeMarije

Updated: May 25, 2021

After months of lock-down, we're finally allowed to hit the gym again! Maybe you've been doing some urban bouldering, did pull-ups at the park or maybe you've not been able to train at all. Everybody has one thing in common: having to get used to bouldering indoors again. Your shoes will feel ten sizes too small and handcream will be your number one friend again. This article will advise you on how to get back to bouldering in a way that benefits you the most.



 

1. Easy does it


Enthusiasm. Being siked. Feeling hyped. Whatever you call it: it's that jumping kid inside you who wants to climb all the problems in the first session. They're all new. They're all awesome. Please, take it easy. Remember that it's way more fun to have a hundred injury-free sessions than one or two hardcore trainings that put you out of the game instantly. Give your skin, muscles and fingers some time to adjust. And isn't it nice to save a few projects for next time?


 

2. Warming-up is a real thing

If you get your heart rate up and your joints and fingers moving, you're preparing your body for excercise. You also decrease the chance of injuries. So take your time to do your jumping jacks or mountainclimbers and stretch your arms and legs. After that, I suggest you climb ten of the easiest routes very slowly and precisely. Not only does this complement your warm-up it also helps with your muscle memory and tendon strength.


 

3. Fun things should be fun

Most boulderers have this voice inside of them that desires perfection and results. But look at it this way: your entire life is already filled with obligations and performing at a certain standard. Now that you're finally allowed to play again, allow yourself to have fun. Play. Talk to people (or not). Try all the easy routes in three different ways. Having fun does no mean your workout is less effective. Read that again.


 
Your body will thank you by performing better when feeling better.


4. Respect your body

I'm not a health guru nor a religious leader, but I do know that your body is very smart. It tells you things in order for you to act upon those signals (the fire is hot, don't touch it again). Your body need time to adjust to certain stressors such as excercise. If you feel pain, stop. If after one restday your body is still feeling too sore, take another one. Also: climb down. You have knees. Your body will thank you by performing better when feeling better.


 

5. Small goals


Take small steps when getting back to bouldering again. We all want to boulder at grade 6b again at the end of the first week. Chances are, this will not be the case. You might find that you need to regain some flexibility or that, all of a sudden, the walls feel too high again.

Attainable goals may look like: getting back to your routine, being a able to train for a certain amount of minutes, doing ten problems of a certain grade within your session, etc. After that, you can gradually make your sessions more demanding.



 

I hope you'll find youself happy and healthy while getting back to bouldering indoors. Be nice to yourself in terms of training ans mindset. And most of all: enjoy! I hope to see you soon either online or in real life. Until then: keep climbing!






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