Do You Burn More Calories Climbing Indoors Or Outdoors?
Climbing indoors or outdoors will contribute to the number of calories you burn. It’s worth considering if you’re health-conscious, a climbing enthusiast, or just curious!
On average, climbers burn more calories climbing indoors (compared to outdoors) due to the greater variety of climbs and equipment available. Roughly 22% more calories burn per hour when climbing indoors compared to outdoors. This is because indoor climbs tend to be shorter than outdoor climbs but more intense, so the rate of calorie burning is higher.
While this is the average, Ii will differ for everyone as it depends on location, skill, and diet. The number of calories burned isn’t linked to the climbing aspect, more so the climber making the most out of the environment.
A climber may have the exact same route at an inside center or on a mountain but could burn more calories for a variety of reasons, such as:
- The climber had to hike to the mountain – burning more calories outdoors.
- The climber used the indoor gym facilities to warm up and cool down – burning more calories indoors.
- The climber took longer on the outdoor climb – burning more calories outdoors.
Reasons Why Climbing Indoors Burns More Calories Than Outdoors
It can be argued climbers burn more calories indoors instead of outdoors. They tend to be stricter with their time, attempt more intense climbs, and have access to other calorie-burning facilities such as monkey bars. As a result, the duration allocated to climbing tends to burn more calories than an outdoor session.
How Climbers Spend More Time Burning Calories Indoors Than Outdoors
Climbing time is how long you spend on the rocks (rather than walking to climbs, eating or resting)
Indoor climbing has greater climbing time because everything is conveniently placed, so climbers can jump onto the walls as soon as they enter the building. As a result, calories burn quickly after arrival – compared to outdoor, which requires travel, finding climbs, and setting up equipment before getting started.
For example, in an indoor climbing unit, storage, equipment hire, toilets, and, the climbing walls will all be within 100 yards of one another. When climbing outdoors, remote areas can take hours to travel to. Moreover, the climbs are far from one another, so a large chunk of time is spent walking between sites.
If you allocated two hours for a climbing session, it’s likely you spend 55% of the time on the rocks when climbing outdoors, whereas an indoor session would be at least 75%. As time on the rocks demands more energy, indoor climbing will burn more calories.
Check out one of our favorite climbing gyms in Los Angles. It contains a shop, gym facilities, yoga classes, and many more:
How Indoor Climbs Can Be More Intense Than Outdoor Climbs
Indoor climbing centers are regulated with health and safety precautions (such as crash pads, trained first aiders on site, and a crowd of people), so climbers have peace of mind. As a result, they are willing to attempt challenging and riskier climbing routes. These are more intense, so climbers burn more calories.
Outdoor climbs are more dangerous from exposure to nature’s sharp edges and dramatic falls. This makes climbers cautious when climbing or could prevent them from attempting it. This isn’t the case with indoor climbing – the consequences of failure are minimal, so they’re more willing to try difficult climbs.
Because of this, individuals practice harder climbs when training indoors.
The tremendous effort required to ascend and descend burns more calories. In addition, individuals must incorporate multiple climbing techniques on more brutal climbs, making it even more energy-demanding.
Why Indoor Climbs Have Greater Variety Than Outdoor Climbs
Indoor climbing centers may have a weight/bar section you can utilize. When used alongside climbing, you’ll burn more calories compared to an outdoor climb – as the option will never be there.
It tends to be in the corner but big enough to incorporate a solid (extra) workout into your session. It may include:
- A fingerboard.
- Wooden rings and a pull-up bar.
- Tricep dips and alternate bars.
- weights – such as dumbbells, bars or resistance bands.
Reasons Why Climbing Outdoors Burns More Calories Than Indoors
As mentioned, not everyone will burn more calories climbing indoors. For some, it may be the other way around.
Athletes may burn more calories climbing outdoors compared to indoors due to nature’s demands. As climbing sites are remote and exposed to the earth’s elements, individuals burn more calories throughout the day to maintain homeostasis. Climbers tend to plan full days (or weeks) when climbing outdoors, resulting in greater total calories burnt (compared to a two-hour indoor session).
Why There Is More Activity At An Outdoor Climbing Site
Climbing routes spread through the mountains, hills, or volcanoes which stretch across miles of land. Climbers must walk between routes which may take hours before they can begin a new climb. Significant calories are burned traveling between routes alone which is then increased further once the climber is on the rocks.
Most sites have a path made for climbers to follow so they can walk from one location to another; however, others leave it up to the climbers to find the best route. To add, climbers carry their own equipment from site to site, making the trip between routes slightly more difficult, resulting in more calories burned.
Outdoor climbing sites are geographically larger than indoor gyms. Indoor gyms have routes next to each other, whereas outdoor areas are spread out and aren’t contained to one specific spot – how inconvenient of nature!
Additional calories burnt from walking aren’t accumulated when climbing indoors because it’s usually a big warehouse with all climbs local to one local room.
Look at the video below of how huge the Lake District is. This is only one crag out of hundreds.
Why There Is Less Calorie Consumption When Climbing Outdoors
Outdoor climbing locations are based remotely, so climbers bring their own snacks to keep them fueled. These tend to be healthy, like fruit, cereal bars, or yogurts, which are low in calories. This reduces the number of calories consumed during each climb.
While this is possible with indoor locations, they tend to be located close to the city – meaning climbers can get tempted to buy junk food or unnecessary sugary snacks. Your diet is equally important when climbing.
While it won’t result in greater calories burnt, it reduces total calorie intake. So, you’re more likely to be in a calorie deficit when climbing outdoors.
Check out this graph of the locations between crags and indoor walls. Highlighting the fact that indoor climbs are a lot closer to urban areas.
How The Weather Helps Burn Calories When Climbing Outdoors
Climbing outdoors exposes you to the Earth’s weather. Therefore, our body must adapt to different temperatures to maintain homeostasis, which requires energy. It could be hot or cold, but weather exposure results in more calories burned.
Below are examples of how we burn calories when it’s hot or cold:
- During hot seasons, your body regulates its temperature to prevent exhaustion. The hotter it is, the greater cardiovascular effort is required to cool the body. This occurs by pumping blood to the skin – promoting sweating and leading to more calorie burning.
On a side note, remember to use chalk because the sweat can hinder the grip and may lead to injury! - When climbing during the cold seasons, your body warms itself up by shivering. These are rapid contractions that occur within your muscles in an attempt to raise body temperature. This requires energy resulting in more calories burned.
On the other hand, indoor gyms tend to have air-conditioning, which is a comfy atmosphere for your body. Therefore no body response is necessary.
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