After spending two straight days in my school library and going absolutely stir crazy from having done no physical activity, I needed to run...or something. But when my friend Renee and I arrived at our school gym,I felt a strange unfounded inclination to climb the rock wall (even though the last time I rock climbed I was 12 years old and hated it because I'm slightly afraid of heights). So somehow, I convinced both of us that climbing the wall was the thing to do that lovely Monday night.

So, we handed in our sneakers and put on our climbing shoes, set up our equipment and we were ready to go. From the bottom of the wall, my fear of heights began to surface, so I let Renee go first. She made it look extremely easy to get to the top, so I was no longer worried and headed up.

Let me just say that I used muscles in my arms and legs in those 10 minutes on the wall that I do not think I have ever used in my life. I was sore for the next three days, which was awesome considering it normally takes me at least two hours of hard core working out to feel anything other than slightly fatigued the next day. Plus, it was also a mental work out in the sense that I had to figure out the best possible way to get to the top without falling.

I spoke to some rock climbing aficionados that climb at least three times a week not only in the rock gyms, but also outside on real rocks in Upstate New York. Climbing works out all parts of your body; obviously your arms and legs are worked out, but your core is an essential part of climbing as well. In balancing your weight as you climb, the core muscles are simultaneously strengthened (in a way that I could not see simple crunches or sit ups accomplishing).

In New York City, Chelsea Piers is one of the biggest rock gyms to challenge yourself. Try it! You won't be disappointed!

~Ashley Johncola