Chad Murphy, owner of Indoor Ascent in Dover wants to inspire people to explore a new form of exercise this winter. And he points to indoor rock climbing as one way to stay fit when the hibernation bug sets in, and you need something novel to motivate you. He says rock climbing is a great way to stay in shape because it works all the core body areas and it's fun.
University of New Hampshire climbing team co-captain, Emily Troisi, agrees. "If you find a good climbing gym, with a fun atmosphere and challenging climbs, there is no better way to stay in shape." But people don't need to be expert climbers. "The cool thing about the Dover climbing gym is that they have routes for everyone, from the experienced climbers on our team to first-time seniors," says Troisi.
Murphy says, "It's a whole body workout and most people don't realize that. Additionally, climbing builds long, lean muscle which is what most people want, especially women."
Apart from his role as business owner, Murphy's notable achievements include his role giving back to the Seacoast community. Last year, Indoor Ascent donated about $8,000 in gift certificates to charities, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Portsmouth. He has worked with local youth groups to provide kids of all ages with generous climbing discounts for lessons and classes, and he has partnered with Shortridge Academy to provide students with free climbing. Indoor Ascent is also working with On Belay, a group that helps children whose parents have died from cancer or currently have cancer, and once a month around 20 children climb for free from Sister Maximilian's orphanage. A future program with Portsmouth Christian Academy will use climbing to combat childhood obesity.
Murphy, a proud member of the Green Alliance, NH's green business union that certifies local businesses as green and promotes them to the community, says he and his employees pay close attention to heat use, and generally keep the temperature at 55 in the gym. "If the customers complain, I tell them they are not climbing hard enough," he says.
Murphy uses only recycled paper towels and paper in his facilities and biodegradable, non-toxic, citrus-based cleaners for climbing holds and other equipment. He says climbing encourages a green and sustainable mindset because the sport does not require a lot of outside power. "It's not like other winter sports. Coming in and climbing, you are using your own power to do the activity," Murphy says.
To learn more about Indoor Ascent, visit www.indoorascent.com.
For more on the Green Alliance, www.greenalliance.org.