> I could see a lot of people on HN enjoying rock climbing. Each route you climb is essentially a puzzle to solve.
That must be why I love climbing so much. It requires such focus and determination, and there's an immediate sense of progression that isn't seen with weight-lifting. When I got home from college there wasn't a rock climbing wall near me and I don't live near mountains. So I started climbing concrete structures in the city parks. It eventually turned into a game about movement and finding the fastest route. Then I learned it was already a sport called Parkour.
Re:Ask HN: What keeps you from exercising?
by nlawalker on Friday August 12, 2016 @03:34PM
(#12278179)
One thing I've come to love about it is that it's engrossing. I'd like my exercise to be something that gets my mind off of work and other responsibilities, and activities like running do the opposite for me. Rock climbing absorbs your attention and helps you forget about everything else for a while.
You can choose how deep down the rabbit hole you want to fall, as it can get highly technical and it's also a great opportunity to go climb outdoors on weekends.
Another striking contrast I've found in rock gyms is that there's a greater sense of community and camaraderie. I've had strangers point out where I was going wrong on a particular route, advise me on my technique, and let me borrow chalk/tape when I was out.