Whether or not you've embarked on an exercise regimen, or have grown bored with a traditional workout routine, consider achieving peak fitness through indoor rock climbing-a sport "fit" for all seasons. Natural high points scattered throughout Rhode Island's 1,045 square miles of terrain the natives are merely a stone's throw away from include:
Jerimoth Hill - located in Foster, the highest elevation in the state at 812 feet above sea level;
Blackpoint - a mountain pillar in Washington County near Galilee;
Burlingame State Park -climbing is off of Buckeye Brook Rd. in Charlestown, along the northern half of the park;
Fort Wetherill -an old army fort off the coast of Jamestown, long abandoned and littered, but offering cliffs with many scrambles;
Lincoln Woods - considered a boulder paradise, attracting climbers to Lincoln since the 1930s;
Mt. Tom, Arcadia Management Area - Exeter's steep cliffs with a view of the trail to get there;
Newport Quarry - located off of Hazard Ave., approximately a granite rock climb of 40 feet where levels of challenge depend on points of access;
Pettaquamscutt Rock - a mountain pillar in the Washington County area with a climb of 128 feet;
Tower Hill Boulder in South Kingstown.
The fitness benefits derived from rock climbing include the development of muscle strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and mental focus. Granted, the rugged outdoors pose other risks apart from the pitfalls of climbing: isolation in the wilderness, ticks, poison ivy, and seasonal limitations. A more viable alternative for the novice or sports enthusiast from these here parts is that of heading to an indoor rock climbing facility. Attain a rocky mountain high through becoming familiar with and adept at: belaying - the process of using gear to ascend and descend the wall; top roping, bouldering, lead climbing, rated climbs...there really is no limit to the height of one's achievement.
Rhode Island has two indoor facilities for you to stretch, flex, and become acclimated to the intricacies of rock climbing under professional guidance without a care in the world about weather conditions. Each facility offers instructional classes for all ages from the novice to expert climber in a safe and friendly environment:
Ocean State Rock Climbing (3 New England Way, Lincoln): their indoor gym has two bouldering caves and a lead wall that spans the entire gym.
Rock Spot Climbing (100 Higginson Ave., Lincoln): their indoor gym offers over 9,000 sq. ft. of textured wall, over 35 rope climbing stations, a massive bouldering area, and over 100 tagged bouldering routes.
An adventurous and "boulder" alternative to working out at the gym is rock climbing. Although Rhode Islanders may be a mere stone's throw away from ledge, our state of the art indoor facilities offer a much safer environment for attaining peak performance. If you're bored with your current fitness routine, it's time you climbed walls.