To try bouldering?

[ImRonBurgandy]

DS does bouldering and they are offering parents sessions. I am overweight with back issues, not currently experiencing the back issues but they do flare up. I do Pilates.
Should I try bouldering or does it sound like it's not for me? I am attracted to not having to go too high and it basically being a weight bearing exercise.

Give it a go. If your back hurts, stop.

Its great fun and excellent exercise.

I would say it depends how overweight you are. You do need to be relatively flexible.

I love bouldering! Start low and small, and be prepared for some serious arm aches the next day! Amazing exercise of a part of your body you don’t usually use though :)

Go for it :)
disagree with poster above warning you about required flexibility. Yes, at the harder grade climbs sure, but definitely not when starting out. I find climbing extremely inclusive and if you’ve been offered lessons (?) , the instructor will help advise on appropriate routes for you to start out on.
let us know how you get on! All the best 💪

So long as you are happy that you may find it challenging and not manage there is nothing to lose in going along and give it a go. I'm very bad at turning down opportunities because I don't think I'll be any good, or manage, or enjoy it and have great admiration for a friend who takes any opportunities and if she can't do it or doesn't enjoy it is always glad she tried it.

I'm not that overweight, but am not a lithe, slinky climber 😂
I will give it serious thought

DH (58, fit enough for age, totally none bendy, has physio for back issue) tried bouldering when DS wanted to have a go. He says it helps his back, it always feels 'stretched out' and less stiff the next day.

I used to climb while my kid had coaching. I got a bit bored because I didn't have a friend and it was full of uni students so I felt a bit old. Also I got scared coming back down. I kinda wish I'd stuck with it, I'd be built by now! Enjoy!

What have you got to lose?

It’s brilliant. Do it.

i don’t anymore but i wish I did. Just got out of habit. Leave your ego at home and just enjoy the process.

I think what’s key is to not compare. Honestly, if you just turn up and only ever do the easiest climbs, that will so be so good. It just leaves you feeling happy.

Oh and your hands will reeaaally hurt the first couple of times.

I went for ages and remained spectacularly rubbish. But it was a lot of fun. It’s a good thing to do with a friend if you can grab someone to come with you. You only ever spend about 20% of the time climbing. Theres a lot of sitting on the mat looking at climbs.

My son climbed regularly when he was at primary school. He stopped but then just restarted (now he’s 15) and the impact on his well being has been amazing. My dh was convinced for ages that climbing wasn’t for him, I really had to bully him to try and now he’s hooked. Thinking back, I think I stopped cause he just kept progressing and I never did! He is supremely inflexible, but it motivates him to stretch regularly.

Also, climbers are just chill and cool. Dont worry about what other people think of you. Climbers are just happy other people want to try. The good climbers spend a lot of time helping each other work through problems.

Book yourself a 1-2-1 session or small introduction.

Thanks. I have booked onto the session - it's instructor led and for the parents of DC doing the NICAS sessions.

Just be aware that jumping off the wall may trigger your back pain.

You can climb down, with no shame! I’ve been climbing for 18yrs and always climb down in the bouldering wall

Oh no I have no intention of jumping off!