Taking FP Movement to New Heights
Ready for adventure? We are too. Follow along with the FP Movement team as we try new things, challenge ourselves, and get active.
First up? Rock climbing. Myself and a dozen team members traveled to a rock climbing gym for the first time to put our climbing abilities to the test and push ourselves to new limits (all while dressed in FP Movement, of course.)
Where We Went
The day found us at a local Philadelphia Rock Gym in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, where we were instantly transported to a (colorful) mountainside inside the confines of the large, warehouse-like gym. There, we first got the low-down on all the equipment — special shoes and harnesses – and learned safety precautions on how to hold, how to fall, and how to move. From there, the Rock Gym team started showing us the ropes (literally!)
What We Did
During our session, we tried two different types of climbing: Top Rope and Bouldering. Top Rope climbing involves being strapped into harnesses that are then attached to ropes. When we ascended the wall, we were assisted by instructors who held tension in the rope as we climbed up — this is called belaying. To help us safely maneuver the wall, the gym staff called out directions on what to reach for. Then, once we reached the top, they gave the rope some slack so we could repel down. We also tried Bouldering, which is unassisted free climbing (without any ropes or harnesses), with a mat being placed underneath you to cushion a fall or self-appointed drop. Each of us took turns climbing, cheering each other on as we ascended the walls. We got really into it — giving each other tips, yelling out motivation, and discussing our climbs. We even had some healthy competition, pushing each other to try the more intimidating, higher difficulty walls.
What We Learned
Before the climbing even began, the Rock Gym instructors offered up tips on just how to climb — which might sound straightforward, but was much more complicated than I was expecting. Key callouts: keep arms long, rather than bending; much of your climbing power actually comes from your legs, not your arms. Rock climbing is definitely a full-body activity, and requires a lot of grip strength (the holds vary in size so they can be tough to get your hands around). Not to mention mind strength, as it requires a bit of strategizing to ensure each hand and foot has a place to land as you climb. “Paths” on the mountain face are color-coded to denote differing degrees in climbing difficulty, which you can follow all the way up the wall based on the challenge you’re looking for.
What We Thought
Going into this experience, I expected it to be tough. I mean, we’re climbing up a wall! What I wasn’t expecting – this workout used literally every muscle in my body. I used muscles that I’ve never worked out before! For days after, I felt soreness in my underarms — I didn’t even know that was possible. A truly FULL-body activity. I could feel how hard the muscles in my back were working as I reached, and how hard my legs were pushing to propel me to the next rock. And then, there’s that mental component I mentioned. I’m not necessarily afraid of heights, but as the floor fell further beneath me, I became super aware of that distance and really thankful I was attached to a rope. Bouldering proved even more of a test of strength because it demands that you hold on extra tight (since a lot of the walls are angled).
Though it was a largely individual experience when actually climbing, having my team there added so much to the fun. There was a huge sense of camaraderie, with everyone sending words of encouragement from the ground as I climbed. We gave each other many rounds of applause, laughed off our mistakes, and climbed all of our stress away. It was a great way to bond outside of work and challenge ourselves to do something we’d never done before.
Rock climbing was really tough, to be sure, but I felt so strong when I actually did it. And in spite of its difficulty, I realized I absolutely love it, and found great pride in how well I did my first time out. I’ll definitely be planning another rock climbing trip in the near future.
First up? Rock climbing. Myself and a dozen team members traveled to a rock climbing gym for the first time to put our climbing abilities to the test and push ourselves to new limits (all while dressed in FP Movement, of course.)
Where We Went
The day found us at a local Philadelphia Rock Gym in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, where we were instantly transported to a (colorful) mountainside inside the confines of the large, warehouse-like gym. There, we first got the low-down on all the equipment — special shoes and harnesses – and learned safety precautions on how to hold, how to fall, and how to move. From there, the Rock Gym team started showing us the ropes (literally!)
What We Did
During our session, we tried two different types of climbing: Top Rope and Bouldering. Top Rope climbing involves being strapped into harnesses that are then attached to ropes. When we ascended the wall, we were assisted by instructors who held tension in the rope as we climbed up — this is called belaying. To help us safely maneuver the wall, the gym staff called out directions on what to reach for. Then, once we reached the top, they gave the rope some slack so we could repel down. We also tried Bouldering, which is unassisted free climbing (without any ropes or harnesses), with a mat being placed underneath you to cushion a fall or self-appointed drop. Each of us took turns climbing, cheering each other on as we ascended the walls. We got really into it — giving each other tips, yelling out motivation, and discussing our climbs. We even had some healthy competition, pushing each other to try the more intimidating, higher difficulty walls.
What We Learned
Before the climbing even began, the Rock Gym instructors offered up tips on just how to climb — which might sound straightforward, but was much more complicated than I was expecting. Key callouts: keep arms long, rather than bending; much of your climbing power actually comes from your legs, not your arms. Rock climbing is definitely a full-body activity, and requires a lot of grip strength (the holds vary in size so they can be tough to get your hands around). Not to mention mind strength, as it requires a bit of strategizing to ensure each hand and foot has a place to land as you climb. “Paths” on the mountain face are color-coded to denote differing degrees in climbing difficulty, which you can follow all the way up the wall based on the challenge you’re looking for.
What We Thought
Going into this experience, I expected it to be tough. I mean, we’re climbing up a wall! What I wasn’t expecting – this workout used literally every muscle in my body. I used muscles that I’ve never worked out before! For days after, I felt soreness in my underarms — I didn’t even know that was possible. A truly FULL-body activity. I could feel how hard the muscles in my back were working as I reached, and how hard my legs were pushing to propel me to the next rock. And then, there’s that mental component I mentioned. I’m not necessarily afraid of heights, but as the floor fell further beneath me, I became super aware of that distance and really thankful I was attached to a rope. Bouldering proved even more of a test of strength because it demands that you hold on extra tight (since a lot of the walls are angled).
Though it was a largely individual experience when actually climbing, having my team there added so much to the fun. There was a huge sense of camaraderie, with everyone sending words of encouragement from the ground as I climbed. We gave each other many rounds of applause, laughed off our mistakes, and climbed all of our stress away. It was a great way to bond outside of work and challenge ourselves to do something we’d never done before.
Rock climbing was really tough, to be sure, but I felt so strong when I actually did it. And in spite of its difficulty, I realized I absolutely love it, and found great pride in how well I did my first time out. I’ll definitely be planning another rock climbing trip in the near future.
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