By Sharael Feist
2003
These Attributes Make a Successful Climber Think that you have to have big muscles and no fear of heights to be a good climber? You have another think coming. Mike Fyten, manager of Planet Granite rock climbing gym in Belmont, CA, says that people think it takes upper arm strength to pull yourself up a rock or climbing wall, but they are mistaken. “It is really a matter of using your legs, rather than your arms,” Fyten says. “You push yourself up, like climbing a ladder.” He also says that for those people who are afraid of heights, climbing indoors will most likely not trigger that fear. “You are tied in, so there is very little chance of falling,” Fyten says. “So there is nothing to be afraid of. It can actually be good therapy for those who are afraid of heights.”
Attributes that make a good climber include:
- Flexibility
- Enjoying recreational sports
- Some leg strength
- Adventurous attitude
- Making the time to do it