FAQs
Q: What is rock climbing like?
A: Rock climbing is basically a puzzle game that happens to be a workout. People are drawn to it because it's rewarding and stimulating for both the mind and body. It involves a lot of thought; it's common to plan out how you will move your hands and feet from start to finish while still standing at the bottom of a climb. There's also an element of strength since you have to have the power to perform each individual move. Climbers get a lot of practice with hypothesizing, testing, and fixing whatever went wrong since falls are pretty common (and safe!). The fun part is climbing with friends and seeing how each person solves problems with different styles. Working hard at a particular climb and finally conquering it after weeks of struggling is a great feeling. Some people climb purely for the workout, while others treat it more as a lifestyle that gets them out in nature.
Q: Is climbing dangerous?
A: Climbing is safe with the right precautions. Falling properly, safety checks, and using common sense will prevent accidents. Other than occasional bruises or scrapes, most climbers don't get hurt.
Q: How is climbing as a workout?
A: Climbing improves both strength and endurance depending on the type of climbing you do. Bouldering involves short problems with powerful moves that build strength, while roped climbing emphasizes energy management and is more like distance running. Climbing does not work out all muscle groups evenly, so workouts like shoulder press, bench press, and push-ups are necessary for preventing injury. Otherwise, rock climbing generally works the whole body.
Q: I can't do a pull up and I don't have upper body strength. Can I climb?
A: Rock climbing is not reliant on upper body strength. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on one's body type, but everyone is capable of climbing. Technique gets you much further than raw power, though a solid athletic background is helpful in general.
Q: Where is the best place to try out rock climbing for the first time?
A: Cleveland Rock Gym is located at 21200 St Clair Ave, Euclid, OH 44117, a 20 minute drive from Case. It is hidden in the back of an industrial park but there is a small sign for it at the side of the road (click image below to expand; hover over images for captions). The parking lot is a large dirt area in the back of the buildings. Case students in both undergraduate and graduate programs frequent the rock gym.
A: Rock climbing is basically a puzzle game that happens to be a workout. People are drawn to it because it's rewarding and stimulating for both the mind and body. It involves a lot of thought; it's common to plan out how you will move your hands and feet from start to finish while still standing at the bottom of a climb. There's also an element of strength since you have to have the power to perform each individual move. Climbers get a lot of practice with hypothesizing, testing, and fixing whatever went wrong since falls are pretty common (and safe!). The fun part is climbing with friends and seeing how each person solves problems with different styles. Working hard at a particular climb and finally conquering it after weeks of struggling is a great feeling. Some people climb purely for the workout, while others treat it more as a lifestyle that gets them out in nature.
Q: Is climbing dangerous?
A: Climbing is safe with the right precautions. Falling properly, safety checks, and using common sense will prevent accidents. Other than occasional bruises or scrapes, most climbers don't get hurt.
Q: How is climbing as a workout?
A: Climbing improves both strength and endurance depending on the type of climbing you do. Bouldering involves short problems with powerful moves that build strength, while roped climbing emphasizes energy management and is more like distance running. Climbing does not work out all muscle groups evenly, so workouts like shoulder press, bench press, and push-ups are necessary for preventing injury. Otherwise, rock climbing generally works the whole body.
Q: I can't do a pull up and I don't have upper body strength. Can I climb?
A: Rock climbing is not reliant on upper body strength. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on one's body type, but everyone is capable of climbing. Technique gets you much further than raw power, though a solid athletic background is helpful in general.
Q: Where is the best place to try out rock climbing for the first time?
A: Cleveland Rock Gym is located at 21200 St Clair Ave, Euclid, OH 44117, a 20 minute drive from Case. It is hidden in the back of an industrial park but there is a small sign for it at the side of the road (click image below to expand; hover over images for captions). The parking lot is a large dirt area in the back of the buildings. Case students in both undergraduate and graduate programs frequent the rock gym.
Q: What is it like inside the rock gym?
A: Cleveland Rock Gym is located inside a spacious former industrial warehouse. There are top rope walls and picnic tables in the center of the gym. Scattered throughout the gym are several bouldering areas surrounded by couches for resting and socializing. Upstairs, there is a workout area with pull up bars, campus boards, system walls, hangboards, kettlebells,and more.
A: Cleveland Rock Gym is located inside a spacious former industrial warehouse. There are top rope walls and picnic tables in the center of the gym. Scattered throughout the gym are several bouldering areas surrounded by couches for resting and socializing. Upstairs, there is a workout area with pull up bars, campus boards, system walls, hangboards, kettlebells,and more.
Q: How much does it cost to climb at Cleveland Rock Gym?
A: If you have never been to CRG before, try to find someone with a membership to get in for FREE, including all equipment! Day passes are $13 with student ID, not including equipment. Memberships are $40 a month for unlimited access. 5 and 10 use punch passes are also available for those who go infrequently but regularly. More pricing information here.
Q: What should I wear when I go climbing?
A: Wear gym clothes, e.g. sweatpants, shorts, T-shirts, stretch jeans. Wear flip flops to the gym and take them off when you put on your climbing shoes. Socks are optional- climbing shoes are generally worn without socks for a snug fit, but it's alright to wear them for rental shoes.
Q: How do I know when people are going, and who should I go with?
A: Several of us go climbing 3-4 times a week. If you can grab hold of these frequent fliers' phone numbers or emails and contact them to make plans, we would be more than happy to carpool with you. Also, you can join the Case Climbing Club Facebook page by going here. You will now receive notifications when people are going, and you can also send messages to invite others.
Q: What kind of events do you hold?
A: Aside from our regular trips to the CRG, we hold a school-wide climbing trip to the CRG every semester in which the whole medical school is invited to come out and try rock climbing. The benefits of those events include a group discount and food at the event. Additionally, there may be outdoor camping trips depending on weather conditions, test schedules, and interest. More information will be sent out if this happens.
A: If you have never been to CRG before, try to find someone with a membership to get in for FREE, including all equipment! Day passes are $13 with student ID, not including equipment. Memberships are $40 a month for unlimited access. 5 and 10 use punch passes are also available for those who go infrequently but regularly. More pricing information here.
Q: What should I wear when I go climbing?
A: Wear gym clothes, e.g. sweatpants, shorts, T-shirts, stretch jeans. Wear flip flops to the gym and take them off when you put on your climbing shoes. Socks are optional- climbing shoes are generally worn without socks for a snug fit, but it's alright to wear them for rental shoes.
Q: How do I know when people are going, and who should I go with?
A: Several of us go climbing 3-4 times a week. If you can grab hold of these frequent fliers' phone numbers or emails and contact them to make plans, we would be more than happy to carpool with you. Also, you can join the Case Climbing Club Facebook page by going here. You will now receive notifications when people are going, and you can also send messages to invite others.
Q: What kind of events do you hold?
A: Aside from our regular trips to the CRG, we hold a school-wide climbing trip to the CRG every semester in which the whole medical school is invited to come out and try rock climbing. The benefits of those events include a group discount and food at the event. Additionally, there may be outdoor camping trips depending on weather conditions, test schedules, and interest. More information will be sent out if this happens.
This page was last updated on 8/3/16 by Austin Le