Climbing Myths Debunked: It’s Not All About Upper Body Strength

One of the most common questions we hear from people curious about climbing is, “Do I need upper body strength to climb?” The answer may surprise you: No, you don’t. This misconception comes from the way climbing often looks to the untrained eye. This might be from movies or famous climbers but it might seem […]
A Brief Introduction to Climbing Sets

The total number of possible sets in climbing is as large as your imagination. That being said, the bulk of them are variations off of a few common themes, or patterns, that are tried and true. We use several key patterns frequently, and tend to build sets off of these by varying details like difficulty, […]
How to Avoid Getting Sore After Climbing

The Warm Down: Neglected But Needed The warm down is the least appreciated (and least used) element in a workout. Coaches and climbers alike frequently neglect it. This is unfortunate. The warm down won’t prepare you for training like the warm-up, nor will it directly contribute to your performance gains like the training sets. However, […]
Rock Climbing Training (Part 2)

How Do We Train? In Rock Climbing Training (Part 1), we gave you the concrete idea of what and why we need to train. Now we can begin to look at how we train. In Part 2, we will discuss the foundational principles of training fitness, and how we can begin to adapt them for […]
Rock Climbing Training (Part 1)

Why Do We Train? The simple answer is, of course, “we train to get better.” In terms of climbing, it means to send harder climbs. But, while this answer is accurate, it is not terribly helpful. That’s because while it explains what motivates us to train, it does not tell us how training actually leads […]
5 Fun Ways to Get in Shape in Philadelphia

So you’re tired of your old gym. Same routine, same equipment. Luckily, trying something new and getting into shape has never been more fun in the Philly area. We have compiled a list of alternative fitness options that will keep you engaged. The only problem is you’ll forget that you’re actually doing it to be […]
Activities to Help Your Kids Unplug

In the modern age, it seems like everywhere you turn there’s another screen. From smartphones to tablets, laptops to TVs, our kids are constantly bombarded with digital distractions. How do you find activities to help your kids to unplug? In my previous article, “How Do I Get My Kid to Unplug From Technology?” I […]
4 Essential Survival Skills Children Learn Through Rock Climbing

How do the 4 essential survival skills children learn through rock climbing benefit kids? As a parent and the Director of Youth Programs at Philadelphia Rock Gyms, I can relate to parents wanting to give their children the best tools to succeed in life. We want our children to be able to make knowledgeable decisions […]
Use This Hack to Magically Consolidate Your Kid’s Busy Schedule

We live during a time when kids have access to so many activities, sports, and hobbies. The after-school and weekend hours can be enriching but their schedules are bursting at the seams! Use this hack to magically consolidate your kid’s busy schedule. What are We Consolidating? Sure, it’s all good stuff. Chess Club offers practice in […]
How to Stay Fit on a Budget

I’m sure that I’m not the only person who hears about a new gym or sport, thinks it sounds cool and checks it out, only to almost throw up when I see the price tag. That is not an example of how to stay fit on a budget. $80 for a weekday ski pass? […]