Beth Rodden on Bouldering

Beth Rodden, Team Perfect Athlete Ambassador

Hello again Perfect Fitness fans! I am just settling into ‘Valley Season’ (as we like to call it in Yosemite) after an amazing six week trip to South Africa. This was my second trip to the Rocklands of South Africa, a hot spot for climbing and bouldering (climbing without a rope, but on short enough rocks that you can fall safely onto pads). It is one of the main places for top boulderers around the world to travel to and climb, and this year we saw climbers from all over Europe, Asia, and the States traveling there for their summer trip.

Our first two weeks were spent climbing non-stop. We woke up, ate a quick breakfast and headed out until dark, climbing until our skin on our fingers couldn’t handle it anymore. Luckily, the Rocklands provided so much variation that at any given area there was enough climbing for all of us, regardless of ability. And, of course, I brought my Perfect Pushup Mobile Unit on the trip with me! It was right next to all of my most important climbing gear; shoes, chalk bag, and bouldering pad. So, each night when we got home, we would do a Navy SEAL workout before dinner. Waiting my turn for the Pushups, I sat and chuckled that there were all these climbers, lying on the floor, chest tired from their set, laughing and having a blast doing the workout! It was way better than TV.

After traveling through this amazing country, the last two weeks were spent solely in the climbing area. We saw sunsets that were out of this world and the wildflowers were in full bloom. The climbing is some of the best I’ve seen. Bullet-proof sandstone that provides for very athletic climbing. It is some of the best full body workout climbing that I have done. The angle of the rock is past vertical or vertical for the most part, which means that as a climber your arms, core, and back are doing a lot of the work. Your legs do provide much support and stability, but much of the weight is put onto your fingers and upper body. I think we were all super psyched to have the Mobile Unit to balance out all of the pulling that we were doing and do some pushing. Not to mention all the core you use while doing the Navy SEAL workout: my chest gets super sore and it hurts to laugh afterwards too! :)

I am so excited for the fall in Yosemite. It is my favorite time of year, when the temps start to drop, the leaves change and the climbing gets really, really, really good in Yosemite Valley. Stay tuned for more updates on how the season is progressing. My new V2s are in the training garage and all ready to kick my butt. I hope you are having fun whatever you are doing this fall! Get psyched and have fun!!

Beth Rodden