| One of the more interesting new sports emerging | | | | different "climbing wall" manufacturers that make |
| world wide is indoor climbing. What is making it such | | | | each wall unique. The ideal wall has several levels of |
| an instant hit with normally outdoor oriented | | | | difficulty and caters to both experts, honing their |
| enthusiasts? | | | | skills, and beginners learning new ones. The climbers |
| What is Indoor Climbing? It is often called Indoor | | | | are required to wear safety equipment that does |
| Rock Climbing and that gives a clue to its true | | | | nothing to make the climb easier, but provides |
| definition. Indoor climbing takes place on a simulated | | | | protection from falls. The artificial rock face has |
| rock wall located in an indoor gym. The idea is to | | | | terrain features and moveable hand holds that can |
| learn the skills of rock climbing in a safe and controlled | | | | often be rearranged to allow a wide variety of |
| environment. Although some indoor rock climbers do | | | | climbing routes. |
| not ever make the step into outdoor climbing, indoor | | | | Most of the climbing facilities serve dual purposes. |
| climbing gyms provide learning and practicing venues | | | | They are called gyms because the act of climbing is a |
| for those planning to move outdoors eventually. | | | | physically demanding activity that not only serves as |
| The few critics of indoor climbing usually focus on the | | | | exercise but also sharpens other skills such as |
| "indoor" part of the experience. They claim that the | | | | coordination and confidence. Many of the patrons of |
| true joy of climbing comes from the blue sky above | | | | climbing gyms are serious climbers practicing skills and |
| you and the smell of fresh clean air as you labor up a | | | | keeping themselves in physical shape. Others are |
| "real" rock face. One of the main counters to this | | | | simply fun seekers enjoying a new experience. Most |
| criticism is the fact that indoor climbing is available | | | | of the larger indoor climbing gyms cater to both |
| year round. It does not matter if the wind chill is | | | | groups. They offer instructions and social activities |
| dipping near zero and a foot of snow covers the | | | | for the casual customers and serious competitions |
| ground. The indoor rock climbing gym is still ready to | | | | and challenging climbs for the more advanced patrons. |
| provide its challenge. | | | | Indoor climbing is a safe way to get a feel for the |
| The wall is designed and produced by several | | | | sport of rock climbing. |