Climbing 101 - Workout to Train for Rock Climbing

One of the best ways to improve your climbing ability is to practice a climbing-centered workout regimen. If you improve the quality of the musculature in the areas you need most, you'll see better results than just practicing on the rock.

Forearm workouts are some of the most highly recommended. After all, the forearm is directly responsible for grip. Good workouts for the forearm include lifts and rotations with free weights.

Your shoulders can be strengthened by doing several different types of pull-ups. Remember to position your hands both pronated and supinated so as to work both your flexors and extensors. While working with the bar, also do hanging crunches and twists to exercise and tone your obliques. The legs, while the focus of your strength and supporters of most of your climbing, do not really need any extra training. The climb itself serves as the best exercise for them, and there's no need to overwork them between climbs.

It is also important to note that some claim that exercising the muscles not associated with climbing is not a good idea. Your body will stay in shape if you climb often enough, and the idea is to have as little unneeded body weight as possible. Since muscle weighs more than fat, toning up the secondary muscle groups is counterproductive to a "good climbing physique".