As a child, we delight in scrambling up a tree to see climbing as something to conquer. When we grow older, fear of falling takes over, which is a pity, because climbing can actually be quite safe, and is a liberating and gratifying skill that is lost to many because of the technicality, all the gear, the idea that you are “in danger”. Since you have to go with experts in order to keep it safe (find a hunky climber like we did to make it fun), you can relax and enjoy the moving meditation which is climbing. If the thought of climbing up a rock tied into a harness makes you want to run for the nearest bar, you’ll be as surprised as we were the first time we tried it. After you get used to the harness (we should mention the ropes, knots, and caribeaners could hold up a car), you’ll bounce all over the place singing the army “be all that you can be” song because you’ll be so proud of yourself for trying something new and challenging...and for being in the most beautiful of all workout facilities, the great outdoors. Here’s another catch: you can achieve the lithe, lean, impossibly athletic physique of a climber even if you stay close to the ground. Taking up climbing doesn’t mean you have to climb up high in the air, in fact, some of the wildest manoevres can be mastered by moving across the rock (called traversing in climbing lingo) There are many types of climbing, and “bouldering”, which involves no ropes, means you grab a chalk bag, and perhaps a crash pad (foam padding to protect your from twisting your ankle) and you're on your way. Climbing is an incredibly misunderstood sport. If women knew what climbing would do not only to their physique (if I had a nickel for every woman who asked me what I do “to get my arms to look like that” I would be climbing in the south of france) but to their overall anxiety and peace of mind, there would be line ups outside of every wilderness store. As if the hunks in the climbing gyms weren’t enticing enough (climbers tend to take their shirts off and love to show off their chiseled physiques), climbing requires a cathartic focus…you can’t worry about your bills or your boyfriend while you’re climbing…you can only look at what’s right in front of you and let the world fade away. The combination of a serious full body workout and a lack of worrying about your life creates a release of tension which is undeniable. Although your mind will scream at you to “cling for dear life!”, in truth, climbing is more about balance, grace, and believing you can stand on nothing than it is about brute strength. Climbing is deeply meditative and cathartic: constant awareness of where you are and what you are doing a.k.a. fear of falling (even when you are tied in safely) means that every muscle in your body works overtime to stay alert. this type of focus is simply not achievable by lifting weights….the odds of falling off a weight bench chair is not so pressing!) Although climbing seems like an impossible thing to conquer, we tried it ourselves and were immediately humbled and hooked. Turns out what climbers make look so simple is a grueling, awe-inspiring, superhuman crawl across a vertical negative incline…and puts lifting weights to shame. Learning to climb involves every muscle in your body as well as reservoirs of determination and strength you will be surprised to unleash. We are thrilled to report you don't have to be up high to reap the physical benefits of climbing (and we thought you had to hang from a rock like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible II). Our unique climbing wall actually suggests routes and progresses with you as you build up your stamina and repertoire of techniques. You’ll glow with pride and a true sense of accomplishment from figuring out the boulder problems…and only want to come back for more. Oh, and start buying shoulder-baring clothes now…you’ll want to be showing off those pipes in no time flat.