Margo Rego , the assistant manager at Central Rock Gym , is amazed by the facility ’ s community . Guests quickly form bonds with each other during their rock climbing sessions . “ You can become best friends with people who are thirty years older or younger than you
Try out the thirty-six-foot lead wall at Central Rock Gym . just because everyone is so like-minded ,” says Rego . The activity is a full-body workout for every climber , helping to build muscle , increase cardio and improve coordination .
Beginners can start their rock climbing career with auto belays , where the rope is already at the top of the wall and gently lowers you back to the ground once you ’ ve let go of the climbing holds . They ’ re ideal for solo climbs or endurance workouts . After getting the hang of that , bouldering and top roping with a partner are other riveting routes to rock climbing .
The gym ’ s bouldering walls are fifteen feet tall with thick flooring to cushion your fall , since ropes or harnesses aren ’ t used . This type of climbing encourages you to strategize the best sequence of moves while testing your strength . Top roping with a partner , or belay , requires a trusty climber to hold the ropes ( and offer you encouragement on your way up ). The partner should be ready to catch you and lower you down if you fall or after you ’ ve reached the top .
The facility has about 100 rope stations , a thirty-six-foot lead wall and 300 feet of bouldering space . It also contains a kids ’ area with easy climbs and funky-looking ladders , a yoga room and a fitness gym . Weekdays after the tiring nine-to-five and rainy weekends are the gym ’ s busiest times , full of individuals of every age with a common goal : reaching the peak .
During my visit , I spotted a group of determined young men attempting bouldering techniques . I thought they were veteran climbers , but they had only entered the climbing scene ten months ago . There was also a little boy poised at the top of another boulder
PHOTOGRAPHY ( THIS PAGE ): CENTRAL ROCK GYM ; ( OPPOSITE PAGE ): EDELINDA BAPTISTA .
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RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l APRIL 2022 93