Self body lifting and climbing do not have to be resigned to those with a large muscle mass or those with a large bank balance. True, a muscular body will be able to pull more, and climbing and lifting equipment can be expensive, but that is only if we want to turn it into an expensive activity. It’s perfectly possible to do it cheaply.
The first way to do this is to actually just simulate the experience of self-body lifting. This is cheaper, safer and less time-consuming but admittedly without the thrill and excitement of real climbing. A cheap push-up bar that will extend into a doorframe instantly gives us the chance to pull our own bodyweight up as much or as little as we would like. It provides the same amount of resistance as any rocky or hilly surface, and can often be used as a dry run before getting into the real thing. Similarly, self-lifting between two level surfaces, such as kitchen worktops, still means we are lifting our own bodyweight time and time again, and both can actually be done without having to drive an hour to the nearest mountain range.
Let’s not forget, there is an age-old form of self-body lifting when we do push ups. Every push-up we do uses our upper half to lift our own bodyweight, so if you are doing a hundred of those morning, you can consider yourself a seasoned body lifter. Alternate between each arm and you are probably going to end up fitter over time than some of the enthusiasts who actually climbs mountains.
The key with self-body lifting at home is to ensure that we feel the metaphorical burn (a physical one is bad news!) If we are doing any of the above properly, we will feel the force of our weight pushing against us and that’s when we know we are doing true, self-body lifting. With home based exercise, it may take a little while longer to achieve results, but you just saved yourself a ton of money and effort.
