Climbing is quickly becoming the world’s favourite sport. Boosted by its inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics (a historic first for the sport) and epic climbing documentaries like Free Solo and The Dawn Wall, climbing has been catapulted into the limelight. And if you ask us, it’s about time!

More awareness brings more people through the doors of climbing centres in London and across the UK, ready to discover a passion that has huge benefits for mind, body, and soul.

That’s where we come in. Since 2014, the London Climbing Centres has brought premium climbing to the capital. We know how important it is to have a passion and an escape from fast-paced city life. And perhaps climbing could be that for you, if it’s not already!

To help inspire that first trip to a climbing centre, we’ve put together four reasons why we reckon climbing is the best sport for mind, body, and soul. Let’s get started.

Climbing’s for everyone!

Since a young age it’s been hammered into us that exercise keeps us healthy. But I can’t be the only person that struggled to find a sport that was right for me. That was, until I found climbing.

Climbing’s special simply because it’s so accessible. It’s an individual sport that involves you and the route you’re climbing, no one else. You don’t have to compete with anyone or let a team down by missing an open goal (the brief stint as my school’s striker still gives me nightmares…)

Climbing’s accessibility is helped by grade bands (that’s how we rank routes, based on their difficulty) that offer a challenge for complete beginners to seasoned pros.

From your very first visit to a London Climbing Centre you’ll find climbs that match your experience, confidence, and skill level, but also provide a bit of a challenge at the same time.

Ready for that challenge? Get your free Beginner’s Guide to Climbing emailed to you today by clicking here and find out more about how to nail your first session.

The ultimate all-body workout

Climbing’s all about big biceps and a strong back, right? Well actually, not quite. In fact, it offers a complete all-body workout that few other sports can compete with.

Climbing works your legs, back, arms, and core, all at the same time. But it’s not a bootcamp-style workout that’ll reunite you with your lunch.

Instead, climbing’s a relaxed workout, where you’ll burn calories, get stronger, and improve your fitness, while still having fun. Kiss goodbye to lifting up heavy weights and putting them back down again.

Although, if lifting weights is your thing, every London Climbing Centre is equipped with a dedicated gym. Each is decked out with traditional training machines, racks, weights, and climbing specific training tools to help you push your training to the max.

Stress = Busted

Climbing can have a hugely positive effect on mental health.

Scientists have proven that exercise releases endorphins, which can help those living with anxiety, depression, and stress. But climbing goes beyond that too.

That’s because climbing isn’t just a physical sport. The routes you tackle are unique; you must engage your brain to solve their individual sequence to reach the top. That’s why us climbers call them problems. They need working out!

Engaging in that problem-solving requires concentration, which allows your mind to drift away from daily stresses and concerns. There’s no quicker two hours than two hours spent climbing!

The Social Sport

Climbing is the friendly sport. Walk into any London Climbing Centre willing to have a chat and you’ll be sure to find someone ready for a natter.

Those good vibes extend to the wall, where climbers will be more than willing to provide pointers, tips, and moral support as you try to tick off a particularly hard problem.

That level of social interaction is rare in London and is a much-needed break from the world of near-constant screens. We’re also creatures of habit, and the more you climb the more you’ll start to see the same familiar faces. Many of our regulars have made friends for life climbing at the London Climbing Centres.

To help you meet new, like-minded climbers, every London Climbing Centre puts on a range of weekly socials for free. At these you’ll be able to get free climbing coaching from an instructed and meet a new climbing crew.

From Open Socials to Women-Only Climbs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Head over to your local’s Instagram or Facebook page to check out what’s on and when.

Ready to discover your new favourite sport at the London Climbing Centres?

I could sit here and badger on about the benefits of climbing for days. But, seeing as we’ve covered the top four reasons that climbing is the best sport for mind, body, and soul, I reckon it’s time for you to come along and discover it for yourself.

To get started, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Climbing here. Or, find your closest centre here and head straight over to our pre-registration page to prepare for your first climb.

From everyone at LCC, we can’t wait to welcome you into a London Climbing Centre in the near future. Trust us, you won’t look back.