By Jessica Bracamontes |Staff Writer|
The rock climbing wall in the Student Recreation and Fitness Center offers students a chance to test their athletic abilities while providing health benefits.
The wall is 34 feet high and has a width of 1,000 square feet. It is open to all CSUSB students. Those brave enough to scale the wall will reap plenty of health benefits such as weight loss and increased muscle tone.
Climbing wall staff member David Dysart explained how climbing is good exercise for students to take advantage of since it’s here on campus.
“It is a full body workout. It’s very similar to swimming in a way,” said Dysart. “You’re working out your entire muscle groups.”
The exercise benefits for rock climbing also include improving cardiovascular health, weight loss and can increase a persons’ muscle tone according to fitday.com.
Students who take part in climbing will experience an excellent workout in the chest, leg, and arm muscle groups as well. Student Priscilla Leon believes rock climbing provides a good workout and encourages other students to try it.
“I feel rock climbing is a great, intense, conditioning work out that other students should start to take advantage of,” said Leon.
Rock climbing can also contribute to increasing upper and lower back strength, along with expanding a person’s coordination and flexibility due to the constant varying positions their body is makes.
Student Mario Ochoa has been rock climbing more than three times and admits there is a sense of adventure when climbing on the wall.
“I feel a sense of accomplishment to persevere in other obstacles that are coming my way,” said Ochoa. The SRFC website lists four major reasons students should begin rock climbing.
For one, students can enlist in classes in various levels that help increase their climbing skills. There are also free harnesses, shoes and chalk bags for students to use, not to mention the fact that all lessons are held by a person certified by the Performance Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA). Lastly, you do not have to have any experience to begin.
Dysart would like all CSUSB students to come by the SRFC and take part in the fun of rock climbing. “It’s a very welcoming community and that itself is an exciting part of rock climbing. The Rec Center offers you new and fresh challenges,” said Dysart.
As the school year comes to an end, Coyotes should take advantage of the rock climbing wall because it is a great way to have fun while working out.