Lisa Jackson is our guest blogger this week for our activity-a-week column as I recover from a cold. Hope it's a source of active inspiration and gets you out to try something new.
This week, I headed to Rock Oasis, an indoor rock climbing gym located in Toronto’s east end. There’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than scaling a wall. This was the most fun I’ve had exercising in…well…pretty much ever!
To start out, I took the introductory lesson with Noel, a certified climbing instructor at Rock Oasis. At first, I was really nervous about climbing since I’m such a klutz. But Rock Oasis puts a huge emphasis on safety. Climbing partners constantly perform checks on each other to ensure their harnesses are secured and the safety rope is tied properly. With guidance from Noel, I got the hang of climbing in less than an hour and a half.
For the first part of the lesson, I learned how to put on a harness, tie into the safety rope, belay (manage the safety rope), and perform a safety check on my climbing partner.
Then, we took turns belaying and climbing. Climbing is done in pairs: one person climbs and one belays (manages the safety rope) and then switch. Soon I was hooked!
For me, the biggest challenge was letting go of the wall. When I got to the top of the wall, I was supposed to release my grip and sit back – and basically put my life into the hands of my partner, who was belaying below. Talk about getting over trust issues! But with Noel’s encouragement and reassurance that I wouldn’t plummet to my death, I let go and slowly descended to the ground. It was a THRILLING experience. I felt so empowered.
Rock climbing is a fab muscle builder. My body was sore from pulling myself up the wall. It also exercises the mind – part of the challenge was figuring out my next move.
Don’t miss trying out the automatic belaying machine – it drops you a bit faster, and gives you a major adrenaline rush!
Don’t miss trying out the automatic belaying machine – it drops you a bit faster, and gives you a major adrenaline rush!
New climbers must take the introductory lesson, which is $35 and includes all the equipment. Afterwards, you can stay and climb as much as you like.

Overall, this was an awesome experience with a great mental and physical workout.
Contact information:
Suite 204 - 388 Carlaw Ave.,
Toronto, Ontario, M4M 2T4
(416) 703-3434 – call for bookings.
Open 365 days a year, and regular hours are 9AM to 11PM.
TTC: Fastest way from the downtown core is to take the #506 Carlton Streetcar and get off at Carlaw. Walk south for 2 minutes.
Links:
Rock Oasis: http://www.rockoasis.com
Climbing gear at Mountain Equipment: http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Climbing.jsp
Lisa J tries the automatic belayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzHe48KI9e0
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