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Manhattan Rocks!

© Brian Igel

Think Rock climbing is just for laid-back granola-eating types from somewhere way out west? Think again. Rock climbing is alive and well right here in Manhattan, both indoors and out.

Over the past decade, rock-climbing gyms have multiplied like gourmet coffee shops. There are now seven indoor walls in Manhattan to compliment several fantastic outdoor climbs in Central Park, the Highbridge, and Fort Tryon, among other places... Can a Starbucks climbing wall be far behind?

In many ways, indoor rock climbing is the ultimate urban adventure sport -- it is exiting, convenient and a terrific workout. How good a workout is it? After about 45 minutes, your hands and forearms are blitzed, your legs are sore, and your upper body longs for a masseuse. Not only are you working virtually every muscle group, you're also developing balance, agility and flexibility. What hooks so many people however, is the comprehensive mind/body nature of the sport.

"Climbing offers many of the same mental challenges as chess," says Ivan Greene, a professional climber and Climbing Director at The Chelsea Piers Sports Center. "You're always thinking about your next move and what that next move will mean for the next five moves and so on. Once a novice realizes that he or she can get an excellent workout without the drudgery of the standard exercise routine, a climber is born."

An indoor wall is a terrific place to learn basic climbing techniques safely. Take the wall at the Chelsea Piers Sports Center for example. Generally recognized as the premiere wall in the city, the massive 60x100 foot surface can be your classroom for $65 (this fee also entitles you to use of the entire facility for the day). Opposite the towering wall is a low bouldering wall where climbers can warm up or practice moves without belay (partner) assistance (212.336.6000).

Manhattan Plaza Health Club also has a great wall, especially with the addition of a 40-foot lead climbing overhang, and is very beginner-friendly. Make sure to try the new "cave" climb to get the most out of your $25 day pass. Novices can take a lesson for $50, which includes the certification test (212.563.7001).

Finally, the City Climbers Club, though no longer the biggest, is still one of the best. Manhattan's first rock gym has grown since its humble plywood beginnings to include over 30 imaginative and challenging routes. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and the price is right at $10 for a day pass and $25 for a private lesson (212.974.2250).

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