Americans have a wealth of options when it comes to having fun outdoors. From camping and archery to road tripping and diving, the only limitation to having fun outdoors is the imagination and those activities provide several health benefits:

• The stress of firing a bow leads to proper muscle development in almost all muscle groups.
• Rollerblading is among several sports that enhance the cardiovascular system by regulating blood circulation and heart rate.

Another option people have for outdoor adventuring is rock climbing. According to Climbing Business Journal the number of people participating in sport climbing, bouldering or indoor climbing is growing both in number and in popularity.
Climbing is popular among the Generation Z crowd as the participation in climbing is the highest along with sales of supplies for rock climbing being among the highest.

Rock Climbing can be lots of fun, but there’s a lot of equipment you’ll need not to be properly involved in it, but also to stay safe. Here are 10 supplies for rock climbing that are must-haves:

• Harness: this allows you to attach yourself to the rope that keeps you from plummeting. If you do fall, the harness can help you stay upright.
• Rope: every sort of climbing requires a special kind of rope and rock climbing is no exception. When choosing a rock climbing rope look for ones that are flexible, elastic, strong, thick and can help you withstand a fall. If you’re out climbing over particularly treacherous terrain, a rope can go a long in helping you stay safe. It can be expensive, especially for beginners, but it pays off in the long run.
• Carabiners: these help you hold the rope in place and make it secure. Experienced climbers carry a few dozen of these as they’re light and relatively inexpensive.
• Nuts: these protect climbers from falls and are put into rock cracks to help hold your rope in place.
• Descenders: your rope will run through these to provide some friction while you’re rappelling down.
• Helmet: as with almost any outdoor activity that requires one, a helmet helps keep your head safe, especially from any falling rocks you may encounter when climbing.
• Chalk: climbing is fun, but it also requires a great deal of strength in some cases and the strain of climbing can make your hands sweaty. Chalk helps give you a better grip as you climb or rappel.
• Shoes: climbing shoes are rubber soled in order to adapt to the surface of rocks. Clinging to a rock when climbing can be difficult and the proper footwear can help you gain a better hold over the terrain.
• Clothing: there’s no hard and fast rule with clothing when it comes to climbing. Certain sporting goods stores offer specific clothing for rock climbing and adventure clothing, but it’s recommended that you wear something comfortable that allows you your legs some movement for moving along the terrain easier.
• Tape Sling: these are strong nylon strips that are often paired with carabiners at each end to help connect nuts to your rope.

There are many supplies for rock climbing available and spending the time and money on the right rock climbing equipment can make your experience more fun and safer. When you do venture out, it’s important to know your route and if you’re new to the sport, considering finding a guide who can teach you the basics.