Men\'s Health UK - 10.2019

The Best

Gym That’s

Not a Gym

The popularity of indoor

climbing might be on the

ascent, but for an adrenalin

rush that will truly rock you,

you can’t beat the real thing.

Given that this category

celebrates those training

spaces that offer a true

departure from your regular

routine, Scotland’s best

bouldering spot is a natural

pick. Just a quick train ride

from Glasgow (those chasing

serene, bucolic scenes might

Surf Snowdonia

adventureparcsnowdonia.com

Head to Wales for the UK’s

only guaranteed surf break.

Whether you want to shed fat

or shred waves, a session in the

300m wave lagoon – against

a backdrop of mountains and

forests – will test your muscles,

blast through calories and

wash away any residual

work-related anxieties.

The Snow Centre

thesnowcentre.com

For off-piste lower-body

workouts, you won’t do better

than this 160m real-snow slope

in Hertfordshire. With lessons

for all abilities, plus day passes

for people who prefer to

freestyle, the only thing you’ll

miss is the après-ski scene.

RUNNERS-UP

want to look elsewhere),

“Dumby” is home to some

world-class bouldering

problems – that’s climbing

speak for routes – as well as

catering for traditional and

sport climbers. Best of all, to

borrow a phrase from Spinal

Ta p, this one goes up to 11:

Dumbarton’s “Rhapsody” route

is officially the world’s first to

be rated E11, the most extreme

difficulty grade. Go between

November and April, when

the rock has natural friction.

90 MEN’S HEALTH

LIFT YOURSELF –

LITERALLY – TO NEW

HEIGHTS OF FITNESS

dumby.info

DUMBARTON ROCK

PACK YOUR

BAGS

Everything you’ll

need for your first

outdoor excursion,

courtesy of Scottish

climber and coach

Robbie Phillips*

01 / The

Pad

“You need

foam matting in case

you fall,” says Phillips.

And fall you will. He

suggests the Edelrid

Crux, which is large but

packs away easily.

Edelrid Crux III £262

alpinetrek.co.uk

02 / The

Shoes

“Go for

tight-fitting shoes with

a grippy rubber sole,”

he says. “Scarpa is

my favourite brand.”

The Arpia is perfect if

you’re new to climbing.

Scarpa Arpia £120

rockrun.com

03 / The

Chalk

“Chalk

prevents sweat from

causing your hands

to slip,” says Phillips.

“I use FrictionLabs.

Its high magnesium

carbonate content

makes it dry better.”

£20 rockrun.com

*FOR MORE, SEE ROBBIEPHILLIPS.CO.UK, @ROBBIEPHILLIPS_