Rock Climbing

[Justin Patten]

Hey everybody. About four months ago I was introduced to rock climbing and have noticed a significant increase in my grip strength since then so I just wanted to take a minute to recommend it to anyone who may have a rock climbing gym in their area. I can't express enough how much my grip strength has improved in such a short time. The workout is great and super fun so it goes by quick.(not that I want it to though) I just put in three and a half hours today. My forearms are killing me! If you do get the chance, the vertical climb is great, but the bouldering is where it's at! Bouldering is without a rope and more of an endurance challenge. Anyway, that's my piece. Too effective to not share with you all. I find it to be a fantastic addition to my Jiu Jitsu arsenal! Hope it's helpful for you too!

[Derrick Johnson]

imma have to check this bouldering out sounds wicked, good lookin out dood

[Isaiah Mendoza]

my dad was a mountain climber when i was a kid he took me to the climbing gym every weekend. rock climbing is sick I don't know why I stopped doin it as a kid I was pretty good at at. Just recently though I found a new love for a special kind of rock climbing.

I go to schools sometimes and find bricks that protrude out the corners of the building and I can actually get to the second or 3rd story of the building. theres all kinds of buildings around town that I've found that are climbable like this. all my friends think I'm crazy for doing it though I wish I knew someone like me that would do that shit with me. Also baseball fences are a serious rush to climb if you can find the right ones. and if you really have balls then try and climb the overhang part of the fence with just your hands.

[Brian Beaumont AKA Thor]

I think Riverside has a rockclimbing wall for that reason. I was told once that Eddie Climbed to prep for ADCC but I've never heard him confirm that.

[Matthew Edlund]

I do this also. Top Rope and Bouldering at a gym in Paramus, NJ called The Gravity Vault. Great place for anyone in the area interested. It's like a vegas casino in there. You loose all track of time and get a great workout.

[Justin Patten]

Isaiah - Ever since, we've been climbing, I'm lookin for shit to climb everywhere. Lol. My house has the bricks that stick out so you can pretty much boulder the house.

Matthew - That's awesome man. Ima have to swing up to Paramus and check it out!

[Jason Hyatt]

I used to climb all the time; bouldering is awesome and will for sure get your grip strength to new places. If you want some good drills to develop both your technique and strength (yes, climbing has specific techniques) I'd recommend "The Self-Coached Climber." A lot of the movement drills are applicable both to walls and bouldering. It comes with a DVD of the exercises as well.

[Sam Sales]

have recently taken up climbing (bouldering) and found it awesome. Its a great workout and so much fun. Lucky i have a climbing centre about a mile from my house, so I can go regularly.

Would highly recommend it to anyone. Especially if you want to work on grip, upper body, core etc. Cant think of a more fun way to do that. :-)

[Josh Passini]

I have climbed my whole life. Mom and Dad were climbers so my sister and I were climbing at 3 or 4 yrs old. There is nothing like climbing that will train your grip. Double dynos, off campus routes, lead climbing, top rope, and ever dangerous free climbing(too dangerous now that I have kids and a gym) its all good shit. I haven't climbed in a few years but every chance I get to boulder I will take it. I feel it is huge for jj. It is a killer cross training workout. A climbing gym will work but very different from climbing real mountains or rocks. But beggars cant be choosers so something is better than nothing. I still keep my bouldering gear in my trunk so if an opportunity presents it self I'm down.

[Greg W]

I worked for a Rock climbing company for 10 years. Of course I was an avid rock climber. When I started BJJ in da gi, I had grip strength to spare. Once I got a hold on a collar it was very difficult to get me off. I had high level BJJ people say my grip was sick.
I am a big proponent that rock climbing helps, strength, balance, and flexibility. I worked for a company called Nicros. They have a product called the H.I.T. strip system. It was developed by the #1 rock climbing training guru Eric Horst. All you need is a 4x10 45 degree wall that will fit into most peoples houses and a weight belt of some sort. Screw this system to it and follow the workout instructions to the letter and in about 4 mths you will have some POPEYE for arms. Here is a link: http://shop.nicros.com/index.php/cla...ng-system.html.

Josh, we have some excellent bouldering up here in the U.P. if your ever up this way. many first ascents waiting to be had.