Everything you need to know about volumes

Volumes. Those who help setters create great routes and whom climbers love to climb. Indoor climbing is a thriving sport, which means more devices for more enjoyable, interesting, and fun climbing are created. Starting their life from interestingly shaped, baked clay to the present day, when they are created mainly from foam cast in polyester resin, the volumes seem to have evolved more than the climbing walls for which they were created.

Today, plywood volumes are becoming the latest sensation of an indoor climbing revolution. You’ve seen them in the gym, added as a feature, or even used for climbing without the standard handles. Well, volumes change the way setters create routes and climbers climb.

In this article, we will tell you a little more about what exactly are volumes and how to climb them.

WHAT ARE THE VOLUMES?

Volumes are those giant additions of various shapes that are attached to the wall like any other climbing device. The difference? On the volume itself, there are even more places to attach different holds. When volumes are added to a wall, they are considered an extension of it, which means they are always on, no matter which route you take. This gives the setters virtually unlimited opportunities to change the way you can climb a wall. The volumes are designed to turn a static and flat climbing wall into a dynamically changing three-dimensional space, offering a great experience to its climbers. Depending on the way the setter places volumes, you can now climb between them, around, or on them, which makes climbing a real challenge for the climber.

WHY VOLUMES?

Volumes are not only ways to turn familiar terrain into something completely new, they can also be used instead of the grips themselves. Often on the climbing walls, you can see only volumes, without added grips. Volumes without grips become instantly more difficult to climb than any holding at an angle and require a lot of experience and mistakes. They aim to stimulate you to improve your skills and challenge your analytical thinking. Additional concentration and experience are required to climb a wall covered with volumes.

HOW TO CLIMB VOLUMES?

Climbing volumes requires a completely different set of skills than climbing ordinary grips. The technique is focused on balance and precision, as you don’t seem to have any real handles to use. However, any volume can make you feel like a normal grip, as long as you know how to climb it.

Balance is most important when climbing volumes. Moving the weight from unstable to stable positions can be more useful than just grabbing the volume.

Pushing and holding between two volumes is also a known climbing trick that you can use if the wall allows it.

Remember that all sides of a volume are usable, so you can use any means to climb on them. Just let your imagination run wild and make full use of the situation you are in.

Sometimes, to climb a volume, you need to make movements related to jumping, stretching, and balance. All of them can be done with the right coordination and attention. It usually takes more practice to master these skills, but with the right guidance, you will do brilliantly.

Climbing Doesn’t Just Make Your Body Stronger, It Improves Your Mental Health Too

How indoor climbing affects mental health

Close your eyes and imagine standing in front of a towering wall with small, colorful holds, scattered around the structure. You look closely at the wall and start climbing up and up. Your every move is methodical, forcing you to think intently and control your body completely. This is a frightening activity, to say the least, but the benefits of climbing for your mental health outweigh the physical ones and you don’t have to be a master of sports to get them out. So the next time you feel anxious, scared, or just stressed from a hard day’s work, challenge yourself to get off the treadmill and climb up the climbing wall, because the view will surely make you feel exponentially more good.

Like many sports, climbing is great for your physical health, as you will certainly notice a definition in the muscles and an overall improvement in your strength, the more you practice – you will also get a surge of endorphins, which in itself is great.

But no matter how much we focus on the physical strength that comes with regular climbing, the benefits to your mental health are many more. Here are 5 things that happen to your brain and psyche when you start climbing regularly:

Climbing teaches you patience

Rome is not built in a day and unless you are a natural rock climber, the chances of feeling exhausted and super tired at first are very high. The thing is, the concept of rock climbing isn’t exactly complicated, is it? You slide on the harness and scale a wall with your bare hands and feet. In reality, however, this type of physical activity actually requires a lot of time and patience to build muscle and gain the knowledge that will help you climb the wall without a problem. In other words, the practice definitely creates perfection when it comes to rock climbing.

Climbing helps you overcome your fears

What are you afraid of? The fear of heights is something that many people experience at the beginning of their climbing endeavors, but when they learn how to overcome this fear, they begin to truly enjoy climbing. Moreover, once you overcome your fear of climbing, you will realize that it is just an emotion and you will begin to overcome other fears that plague you.

Climbing can help you overcome your fears on a physiological level. When you climb, your body releases dopamine (a reward hormone) and serotonin (a happy hormone), which together naturally improve your mental health.

Climbing improves concentration

Patience and concentration go hand in hand and both can be developed as you climb. In fact, one of the best things about climbing is that sport literally forces you to watch and consider every step and every move. There is no room for distraction here.

In life, this is more important than ever. Each of us is busy with many things, thinking about many things, and doing many things. This makes concentration very difficult and almost impossible. However, when climbing, it is necessary because you are constantly forced to evaluate the wall and analyze it to best assess what your next move would be. This puts you in a position here and now, which is extremely important.

Climbing reduces stress

Did you know that, among other things, climbing can reduce stress? You may be wondering how, since the sport itself puts you in a stressful situation? Of course, as you climb, your body is under incredible stress, but the more you go through that stress, the fewer situations in your life will really stress you out. In other words, rock climbing is a kind of reverse psychology. And the more stressed you feel as you climb the wall, the less the small stressful situations in your life will affect you.

Climbing strengthens the connection between mind and body

Climbing is both a physically and mentally engaged sport. With it, you are constantly confronted with puzzles that you have to solve – to collect seemingly impossible sequences and individual physically challenging movements. At the same time, use the upper body to pull the lower body.

Having a strong mind-body connection is also really important when it comes to your mental health. As already mentioned, your physical and mental health feed on each other, and if you experience a lot of stress or anxiety, eventually your body will respond to your hyperactive, nervous state of mind. Rock climbing teaches you how to listen to both your intuition and your body and shows you how to adjust accordingly so that you not only make the right decisions but also feel safe doing so.

Climbing for beginners – what you need to know If you are a first-time climber

Indoor climbing. One of the most interesting and most famous activities for children and adults. Climbing not only helps you stay in shape and move (especially suitable for the winter months), it also helps you develop your concentration and coordination. If you’ve only heard of indoor climbing, if you have acquaintances who climb regularly, if you want to try it yourself, here are some things about this sport that are important to know:

What is indoor climbing?

As you might expect, indoor climbing is born from outdoor climbing. It is designed so that professional climbers can train specific movements even when the weather is bad and during the winter months. Today, this sport can be practiced by anyone, regardless of gender, age and physical appearance, and the gyms that offer climbing walls are more than ever. The main goal of the activity is to climb to the top of the wall without falling (although even if you fall, you will be held back by ropes). And if you’re wondering where the fun of climbing is, we give you an answer right away. The team of routers in the climbing hall creates the climbing route in such a way that every time you climb you face different challenges on your way to the top. Climbing routes are color-coded, and to climb a route, you have to use only holds belonging to that color.

Of course, this is not mandatory. It’s always a good idea to climb in a rainbow style, using whatever color you like.

Is indoor climbing safe?

Now that you know what indoor climbing is, it’s time for the biggest question everyone asks: is it safe? Although climbing is known for its extremity, the answer is yes.

Accidents happen and (as in many sports) climbing can cause injuries caused by overwork. But generally speaking, indoor climbing is actually safer than many other sports. Indoor climbing gyms are designed to eliminate external influences such as falling rocks, rain, and wind while providing protection systems so that you can climb safely without worrying about your health. After all, the biggest risk is in your hands. Every climber should make sure they feel comfortable with the systems and feel safe on the wall. As long as this is true, the risk of indoor climbing injuries can be minimized.

Types of indoor climbing

Bouldering

This is a type of climbing that occurs significantly close to the ground. The bouldering walls are between 8 and 15 feet high, and there are thick pads on the floor to cushion the impact if you fall.

Toproping

The walls of Toproping are high enough and this type of climbing requires more than just protection pads. Instead, climbers are protected with ropes that prevent them from falling off the wall. The rope begins to wrap around a beam at the top of the wall, with both ends hanging down to the ground. In most cases, this type of climbing requires a partner.

Lead Climbing

If you’ve been to a larger climbing room, you may have seen a section of high wall where no ropes are hanging at the top. These walls are dedicated to Lead Climbing. Unlike toproping, in this type of climbing the rope starts at the bottom of the climb. The climber ties as usual, but in this case, he has to attach his rope to convenient points located in strategic places on the wall.

If the climber falls, the rope attached to the last point will protect him from hitting the ground.

What climbing equipment do I need?

If you are a beginner, you need minimal equipment to bring from home. All climbing gyms have the necessary equipment that you can rent. It is enough for you to start. If you start climbing regularly, you will be able to see what equipment you need and then you can buy your own if you like.

What to wear while climbing?

Whatever you want, as long as you can move freely. Climbing requires a wide range of motion on both your arms and legs, so wear clothes that allow you to move freely and are elastic enough. It is also possible to sweat. Climbing halls are usually well ventilated, but it is worth wearing clothes in which you can sweat. Clothes that you would wear for other sports activities will do just as well when climbing.

Indoor climbing is an amazing sport that can be interesting and varied every time you enter the gym. Therefore, if you want to diversify your sports activities with something interesting, exciting and fun, climbing is a great solution!

The Next Big Thing in Climbing: Home Walls

at home climbing walls

Every avid climber knows how satisfying it is to climb a wall. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-epidemic measures, it is becoming more difficult for many athletes, amateurs and professionals, to perform their favorite sport. Fortunately, there is a solution for all climbing enthusiasts – the at home climbing wall is gaining popularity and is about to become a wonderful way to keep fit, try new climbing techniques and teach your children to climb. Here’s what else you need to know about home climbing walls:

What is it?

Most home climbing walls are do-it-yourself projects. They range from massive backyard installations that look like small boulder gyms to single 4’x8 ′ panels mounted at an angle in the living rooms of avid climbers. Holds are often made of wood, stones, and elemental resins. Thus, the result is a mini climbing wall that you can climb any time you want.

Benefits of at home climbing wall

If you are an avid climber, but you are still wondering if it is a good idea to install a climbing wall in your home, these 5 benefits will convince you:

• You can climb at any time and keep fit even when you can’t leave your home;

• You save the time you would spend driving to the climbing hall and back. You save money too;

• You can adjust your route according to your wishes;

• You can practice different climbing techniques and improve your current ones;

• You will have fun with the whole family. The climbing wall at home is suitable for both adults and children.

Why do you need a wall for climbing at home?

Home walls are often associated with strength work and training of specific movements. It’s all about symmetrical, tendon-friendly repetition to become stronger and make the movements you want with ease. The difference between professional climbing walls and the ones at home is that when you climb at home, you have to do everything yourself and you don’t have a professional to monitor your movements.

On the other hand, the home climbing wall is smaller and safer, allowing you to climb while having fun with friends or letting the kids climb without worrying about them getting hurt. It is important to find a design that meets your needs and requirements. And, if you’re wondering, build a climbing wall to allow all kinds of climbing fun, not just 45 ° system board training.

If you are already sure that you want to turn your home into a climbing oasis and build the at home climbing wall in the living room, yard, and even your basement, do not hesitate to contact us. We at Holds and Walls will take care of building the wall you imagine and providing the necessary holds to create fun and challenging climbing routes for yourself or your children.