Is climbing good for weight loss reddit Climbing is good for developing many muscles of a good physique, such as a strong back, shoulders and core, while it possibly lags a bit behind in terms of muscles like quads or pecs (they are used, but not so heavily focused). Men’s Health discusses the physical and mental challenges of rock climbing, emphasizing its effectiveness as a full-body workout. I've been reading some climbing blogs and apparently cardio can be extremely beneficial for climbing, though most climbers neglect it. Climbing is a ridiculous sport in general. That's because, typically, boulders require more raw power and you aren't really worried about pumping out. That's totally doable. It was tough at first, but I kept at it, and it got easier. The actual data of competitive climbers: Fat loss is accelerated with more muscle, so don't forget to to do lift, too, and eat more protein if weight loss is your goal. It's specifically not good for weight loss because you don't burn many calories, but you get plenty toned. Being strong while also maintaining a light weight makes a big difference at the expert levels of climbing. I Nov 8, 2023 · Would you like to know whether bouldering is suitable for weight loss? Well, the article contains everything about bouldering and how it can help. Check out r/loseit for a lot of good information. This has led to a lot of disordered eating in the community which is why it's a sensitive topic. The simple answer is the one that gives you the bigger calorie deficit over a long period of time is best for weight loss. If you’re trying to lose a bit of weight and want a new way to do it, stair-climbing as a regular exercise — or just adding a few flights a day — might be for you. Nov 1, 2023 · Not only is rock climbing fun, it's also a great workout. Climbing is an ideal sport for weight loss: if done for an hour straight (which would be up and down without pause, fairly impossible) you burn approx. You can use a calorie calculator such as the one linked below. First ever climb, we all start somewhere. Lets lose the question of "should you lose weight for rock climbing" and just commit to the statement that rock climbing in any form is awesome for everyone. If you go cycling at 200W (moderate-ish intensity for a cyclist of your weight with some training) for an hour that burns maybe 850kcal. Lower body weight is more helpful for sport/route climbing than bouldering, and that is typically reflected in pro climbers as well. If you’re new to rock climbing, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Whats your bike? if your bike is some kind of walmart bike, good luck climbing with that. The The “problem” with cardio for weight loss is that you have to do it for hours to burn large amounts of calories. If I started climbing 10-20 flights of stairs per day, would it help my overall health even though it wouldn’t burn that many additional calories? Active stair climbers are more fit and have a higher aerobic capacity Even two flights of stairs climbed per day can lead to 6 lbs of weight loss over one year There is a strong association between stair climbing and bone density in post-menopausal women Climbing stairs can improve the amount of "good cholesterol" in the blood How many flights of stairs would I have to climb per day to make a significant contribution to a calorie deficit or improving my cardio vascular system? There's some interesting info in the FAQ regarding high intensity vs cardio and their respective roles in fat loss and endurance training. You will gain some water weight initially, but that will stabilize. This is a term hardcore climbers can really obsess about. This isn't about bike type A vs type B being universally better, it's about what you personally do with them, so Stair climbing is one of the most intense cardio exercises. A few months ago I trained for a charity CN tower stair climb (for non Canadians its the tallest building in Canada). Based on my experience, stair climbing not only sheds The documentary Light is a great discussion on eating disorders and climbing. Climb stairs for about 10-15 minutes or do 45 to 60 seconds of stair climbers at a fast pace, alternating with some incline push-ups at the machine for optimal weight loss results. I've read around enough to understand that rowing machines are very popular around here, but much less is discussed on climbing machines, which independent product reviews suggest that they're very effective workouts as well (and reddit-searches for "climbing" overwhelmingly yields people discussing the real thing). Stair master is a pretty good calorie burner, and weight loss does just come down to calories in vs out. That said, climbing is not a good weight-loss sport. Being taller is likely neither an advantage nor a disadvantage when it comes to To lose weight you need to burn more calories than you consume, the easiest way to do that is with a calorie counting ap. My question is: am I actually doing any long-term good? My searches online suggest it's good exercise, but it also says that I should be running up the stairs if I want real results. The thing is that slow weight loss is more sustainable and healthy than rapid weight loss, and the body still needs nutrients that aren't stored in body fat and that you have to get from food. I am 88kg i climb %10-15 everyday and you can climb pretty easily with that weight. I'm overweight and trying to not just lose it but to build strength at the same time. I’m on the 20th floor though and I’m wondering how feasible it is for someone who is not super fit to climb 20 flights of stairs. I started with the original and loved the workout so much that I spent the money to get the good machine to replace the cheap entry level model within a week. abs are built in the gym and revealed in the kitchen. Assuming you're relatively muscular, climbing trips (at least 7 days) are a good way to lose weight. Realized that was stupid and decided to make climbing part of my weight loss / fitness journey. Basically how much powers you can produce relative to your body weight. in explores how this simple activity can significantly improve your health and help you lose weight. Understand its role in technique, progression, and overall success. I'm 265 lbs right now and got into mountain biking recently to lose weight. I'm finding hill walking and stair climbing are a super challenge to my cardio and strength. What are your favourite weight loss / fitness related apps everyone should know about? Turns out I hear about most of the apps here somewhere in the comments, when someone recommends them. The specific benefits of almond milk for females and any potential side effects. Welcome to Reddit's HIIT community! We are dedicated to health and wellness using the most efficient and effective methods backed by science. Climbing is a strength-weight ratio dependent sport afterall so it makes sense to lose weight to perform better but I think you need to make sure you don’t get carried away with this logic. May 30, 2025 · The coach’s reply: “Lose weight. Good luck! Jun 19, 2023 · Strength-to-weight ratios are key performance indicators for climbers. Is it safe to start climbing if you are overweight? I am working on losing weight 200 lbs 5'9 I am trying to get to 150ish but I just got introduced to climbing and I obviously know I can't do like insane stuff but like can very basic climbing be a good way to workout and be relatively safe? What is the “real” way to lose weight, what actually works? What are the best meals and exercises for weight loss? It seems to take me forever to lose weight and when I do, I gain it back immediately. I think in this sub we should be careful not to equate weight loss with better climbing, because that can be dangerous. Feb 23, 2020 · Many people look to climbing as a fun and effective way to exercise with the goal to lose weight and improve their appearance. The second conclusion is more interesting because it would mean that you're climbing better at a lower weight despite most of that weight NOT being body fat loss (realistically at 8% body fat a 10lb weight loss would be about 2-3 lbs of fat and 7-8lbs of water weight). If you want to enter and be competitive or winning in climbing comps, more weight will likely be to your disadvantage. Learn one way to increase this ratio via optimizing body composition. The health benefits include heart health and weight loss. Climbing is amazing for weight loss. 158 votes, 128 comments. To answer your question, plenty of people have lost weight while climbing. This is a strength-to-weight ratio sport so “trading” that same amount of fat for muscle (keeping weight the same) will also improve your climbing strength potential. If you burn 200kcal on a ride but do it every day for 4 weeks, you'll burn more overall than if you burn 1000kcal on a ride, but only once a week for 4 weeks. I can barely walk up them. 10,000 steps is a good goal for someone who isn't regularly getting exercise through other, non-step means: swimming, biking, weight lifting, rock climbing, whatever. My motivation had fell off exponentially as of recently and this has really inspired me to get back out there and stay at it. Start out small, cut out some treats, no more soda, less carbs etc. Here is a chart of the most popular professional climbers, their height and weight. You also need to lose weight which will make biking easier. Climbing stairs is a great cardio workout. If you enjoy it, it might motivate you to lose weight as obviously being lighter on the wall helps. Rock climbing is great for those looking for weight loss, aerobic or muscle-building workouts. Really looking for climbing related tips to push from being a little in shape to being in the best shape of your life How many minutes climbing stairs (and how often) to actually improve endurance on them? Last place I lived was on the 5th floor, and I took stairs up every day, but I always got winded as soon as I ever did. I have taken a fresh look at this relationship. Aug 17, 2024 · Is Rock Climbing a Good Workout for Weight Loss? Yes, rock climbing is a great workout for weight loss. I'd rather be a good climber and look good than a great climber and look unbalanced. Is rock climbing a good workout? If you’re looking for a workout that captivates you as much as it helps you burn calories, indoor rock climbing offers a thrilling alternative to the usual gym routine. It's accessible, and research shows it's more effective than walking on level ground. A significant factor why we tend to be heavier in modern society is our everyday lives and that we always have food available. I also do bodyweight exercises and lift weights. Its role in weight loss smoothies. Not a great lower body muscle builder. Doing strength training (or bouldering) may not appear to have the same immediate weight loss component, but what it does is ramp up your metabolism for longer. There's lots of ways to become a better climber or have more fun as a climber that don't require losing weight. 8. Really, what it does is allow you to do a few more reps at the same weight. ” Climber weight loss is bad beta Most climbers think that the simple act of losing weight will help them climb better. trueI'm surprised by the lack of people suggesting rope climbing first. Distance running is a great way for me to burn a large number of calories. Mar 17, 2023 · That’s why in climbing you’ll often hear the term ‘strength-to-weight’ ratio. Sep 9, 2020 · Is rock climbing a good workout? It's cardio and strength training, so your body will change as you start to do more climbs. As I got more into climbing I was able to maintain my weight and increase strength. Hmmm questions about losing weight are a bit sensitive on here. That said, I always found cardio to be good for weight loss. If you want to lose weight you diet and you'll want to diet because dropping a few extra lbs makes you crush so much harder. But to be lean you need to lose body fat, and that's mostly done by eating right. you won't lose more weight, necessarily, but you might see some more body . But I personally felt the need to stop doing pull ups (especially weighted) because my shoulders and biceps were becoming bulky, yet i see pro climbers routinely do these things. Even going down stairs, which feels like a rest, is great for targeting different muscles in the legs/glutes that going up. If I were to give any advice, it would be this. Nov 11, 2024 · Stair climbing is a low-impact cardio exercise that burns significantly more calories than walking. 100 mountain climbers a day for three weeks: my verdict Reddit's rock climbing training community. People here will be cautious with giving you advice on losing weight to get better. If you want to lose weight, look into exercises that are good for burning calories. Summary Rock climbing is a great option if you’re looking to lose weight. Is bouldering good for weight loss? Bouldering can absolutely help you lose weight. If you're going to climb, climb because you like doing it. If good abs are the goal, train your core with resistance training and aim for a low body fat%. 14 votes, 114 comments. Climbers as a group generally have a higher rate of eating disorders and body image issues. See full list on thewanderingclimber. Whether you need to lose 2 lbs or 400 lbs, you are welcome here! I am not thinking in terms of hypertrophic gains that weight lifters get from bulking and cutting since normal training for climbing doesn’t produce hypertrophy, but instead the extra weight being more like a natural weight vest. It makes your metabolism higher every day. On the performance side climbing has a lot to do with watts per kilo (w/kg). That said, dropping an integer percentage of fat (not just weight) will always improve your climbing strength. However, it will absolutely help increase your calorie deficit should you elect to diet. 12 (been climbing 4ish years) relying on my power and strength. I’ve been doing kickboxing 3 time a week to help lose weight and gain muscle and I’ve been gaining weight? Basically I'm looking to take my fitness to the next level, lose some more weight, and look and feel as good as possible. Whether you are working out indoors or climbing real rock surfaces outdoors, your muscles, heart, and mind will thank you. I should mention that I'm specifically trying to lose 30 lbs of COVID weight and also belly fat. If you've gone from marathon running to climbing then a good amount of that weight difference is probably muscle, and you should not expect to lose the full 40lb. Whether you need to lose 2 lbs or 400 lbs, you are welcome here! May 17, 2021 · Short, crisp, and effective—climbing stairs is a science-backed way to lose weight Ladies, if you think, I am giving too much credit to climbing stairs, you’ve got to know that several studies including one published in The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine, have gone at lengths about the weight loss benefits of stair climbing. Cycling is a great way to burn more calories, yes, but you could get the same effect on your weight by simply eating less, too. 2 pounds on January 2nd. Learn more about the potential health and fitness benefits, types, and tips for beginners. Nov 18, 2025 · An actress appearing in "Wicked" has sparked alarm amongst netizens for her sudden change in visuals, attributed to a dramatic weight loss. It does give you a full body workout, but the entry level one is loud and doesn't feel like it's working smoothly. Jan 30, 2025 · If you're trying to find a way to lose weight, stair- climbing as a regular exercise might be for you. However, people get confused when choosing between walking or climbing which is better for weight loss. If you’ve never considered rock climbing, think of it as a personal challenge to try something new. How long would it take? Would descending 20 flights be much easier? Weight loss I have always struggled with my weight. Not because the act of climbing really helps you lose weight but because it provides the motivation needed to to stick to a diet. trueI rarely find an article/opinion which sites an exercise as being detrimental to climbing, even classic "mass builders" like dead-lifts and squats get pushed. Due to everything going on I’d really prefer to not take my elevator so often. I can't run up the stairs. Then I managed to break both ankles within 3 months of eachother. Curious about the benefits of climbing stairs? 🏃♂️🏢 Our latest blog on GreenSalad. To lose weight and shape up using a mini stepper, mixing exercise and a good diet is key. We discuss everything from the philosophy to the science of training. Aug 17, 2024 · Mountain climbing is a thrilling outdoor activity that challenges even the most seasoned adventurers. Weight loss is more about diet, but exercise is so good for you. If you want a leaner stomach area, then your best bet is to keep to a cardio and/or weight lifting regimen while starting a decent fat loss diet. If you just cut water weight or get there with a restrictive diet without training, than no. Told myself I would start climbing once I lost weight. This can have quite an effect, but don't expect to look like henry cavill in a few weeks. Whether you need to lose 2 lbs or 400 lbs, you are welcome here! Don't forget, the most important aspect of weight loss is watching your food. If you want to get out and have fun, you're good to go. Best way to lose weight is through diet. trueI have the Maxi Climber and love it, but I highly recommend spending the money on the XL. The final verdict on what is the best milk for weight loss. With the right amount of cardio worked in to lose weight, falling from height would become way When it comes to diet people on climbing forums are generally pretty skittish to tell people to lose weight, and for good reason. You’ll find later on if you stick to bouldering that you’ll want to supplement it with the gym to make up for muscle groups you are missing out on from just climbing. You can be a good climber while bodybuilding, of course the best climbers will have really small legs (less weight). Notice, I did not say weight loss diet, which you may not even need. The basic gist is that if you want to lose fat, high intervals are great - so do intervals of stairs for 10-15 min. Weight loss is going to be tied much more to diet rather than the exercise you do. Nov 18, 2025 · The real-world consensus from Reddit communities. It’s a challenging and fun activity that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your overall fitness. com Nov 20, 2025 · Rock climbing is increasingly recognized as a comprehensive workout that combines cardiovascular exercise with strength training, offering significant weight loss and fitness benefits. The fact that taller people also weight more (in absolute terms) seems to cause this negative correlation between height and weight. I worked out on my mini stepper for an hour every day. I mentioned this to a friend and she pointed out that it's because I'm only spending a couple of minutes on it at a time. Creatine isn't magic and it's not steroids, so don't expect too much of it. As someone who's got a small pot belly and on the higher end of fat% among climbers, I find it way better to train on low bouldering walls and high wall auto belay first for both technique and cardio. Apr 28, 2025 · Climbing stairs can help lose belly fat, and it is a good cardiovascular workout routine. It’s a fun yet challenging weight-loss activity regardless of your body type and weight. As you drop weight, biking will become much much easier but in the mean time, walking should be your primary exercise and healthy eating the primary way to lose weight. It’s a great sport and a ton of fun. Cutting down exceeds calories/sugar (weekday beers, snacks, dessert) is a good place to start. In short keep up with the home stair climbing, but also consider how to add in some good longer-term resistance training and cardio into your plan. A lot of people are wondering what weight would be best for climbing or if they need to adjust their calories, so here it is. Most will say about 2 ponds per week is the max you should lose, but really the calorie tracker will help you see what foods are calorie dense, and which ones you can eat more of so you feel full. I'm loving the shit out of climbing still, and am chuffed to be able to do it. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn, every diet is just an attempt to trick yourself into eating fewer calories, but it's a crapshoot. Is it true Mountain climbers can burn up to 500 calories depending on weight in 30 minutes of doing them? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. A place for people of all sizes to discuss healthy and sustainable methods of weight loss. Sep 1, 2020 · Go climbing! Or do some whole body strength training for climbing! Not only is it a better use of your time, and is more specific, but it also has a huge impact on weight loss. But it's definitely not what limits beginner performance or something you should worry about at this point, especially for you with your low bf%. Here's what you need to know. Eh, idk about that. Rock climbing is an excellent comprehensive, full-body workout. Dedicated to increasing all our knowledge about how to better improve at our sport. That said, eating a balanced diet of whole foods makes weight loss easier, and improves health - but you could literally eat nothing but Twinkies and ice cream and still lose weight. Reply reply Yes, weight matters in climbing performance (especially hypertrophy outside of finger flexors and pulling muscles). It lowers blood pressure, heart rate, risk of other comorbidities, and helps you maintain a healthier weight! Doesn't matter too much to me, to be honest. While it’s well-known for its physical and mental demands, many people wonder: is mountain climbing good for weight loss? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of mountain climbing and explore its potential as a weight loss strategy. Bouldering will build muscle in upper body and core. The fact of having to lift your entire body weight with each step sets it apart from running, the elliptical and other cardio. As of today, (5. Definitely more intense than just taking a walk on flat terrain and better for building muscle even though it's cardio. I'm a stockier/shorter build, pulling V6 / 5. 5 months later) I’m down to 213. Before I got into climbing I was into powerlifting and kettlebells and saw great changes in my body fat and weight. If you want to increase your endurance, cardio is best - so run for an hour. Especially at dinner time, limit your food intake and don't eat after 8 pm, this will give you far more results than just rope jumping/stair climbing. 800 calories! If you have a pause now and then, for example because you're belaying your partner, climbing's an interval training (most effective for weight loss). 17 votes, 15 comments. Weighted Vest Discussion + Help: For those who have owned/used weighted vests in the past which features should be avoided and which are must haves? Aug 9, 2023 · Delve into the impact of weight on climbing performance, from novices to experts. Apr 24, 2022 · If it’s weight loss you’re after, studies have shown how bursts of high-intensity interval training are far more effective than longer, less intense workouts so mountain climbers, as part of a HIIT workout, could be the ticket to burning unwanted weight. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The safest way to lose weight is to count calories so that you lose 1 pound a week. I follow a bunch of female athletes on Instagram to remind myself how good at an athletic, strong body looks in photos and the mirror. At your weight, biking will not be comfortable at the start so you need to ease into it and avoid any injuries. How almond milk compares to competitors like skim milk or oat milk for weight loss. After sticking with it for three months, I lost up to 8 kilograms and got into the habit of exercising daily. It's not as efficient as a lifting program, sure, but anyone who boulders 3-4 times a week for a few years is going to have plenty of strength in muscles that are used in climbing. Additionally, it might help if your climbing gym has additional fitness equipment like treadmills and some weights. The increased metabolism from climbing stairs helps burn body fat. For weight loss, you want to be focusing on cardio, and climbing is not really cardio. Like I said, I started my weight loss journey at 301. The hills near me in a high-end neighborhood aren't a constant grade, but instead are very steep for a hundred yards or two and then you turn around and go back down. Because rock climbing is such an intense aerobic activity and it requires a healthy body weight to be The bottom line is that yes, walking is a fucking phenomenal way to lose weight and I know that from the most personal experience. Weight loss is 90% dietary. Once you get comfortable with body weight movements, you’ll want to add some weight so you can continue to progress. This isn’t a bad goal to have, but bear in mind that rock climbing is a sport that takes a certain level of investment before you’ll start to see physical results. Reply reply Due_Revolution_5106 • Placing MY ideal climbing weight around 20 BMI but ideal training weight around 22. But is that bad beta? A high strength-to-weight ratio is needed in climbing. Lets face it running on a treadmill does far less than skipping one snack during the day. Because climbing is a strength to weight ratio sport, a lot of climbers will focus losing weight to send higher grades. This just encourages the culture of making every gym soft so people can feel good about themselves instead of emphasizing that enjoying climbing is what matters, not pushing grades. Many climbers—particularly competitive climbers—try to optimize that by losing weight. May 18, 2024 · Walking is considered one of the best weight loss exercises, with climbing stairs being the second one on the list. At first glance, it seems that being taller is a handicap in rock climbing see here for a reddit discussion or my own analysis here. jqlis tbbyee wfemwj rsn nhgg ljmgdt ywkoe hokq adcpkx aaxn yqituxi xca abhj pxwfevq lobrn