WORKOUT 02. Bouldering A grown man is all about the rocks.
PROFILE
A model from Shizuoka Prefecture. She has been active in a wide range of fields, mainly in fashion, advertising, and commercials. She is an unparalleled lover of clothing, having worked in apparel before becoming a model.
Instagram @tomoyakageyama
What made you start bouldering?
It all started four years ago when a model friend of mine invited me to join. At first there were about three of us, but the number gradually increased, and now we have a group of about 15 members. Even within a group, a sense of rivalry and competition grows. I felt frustrated that I couldn't do what he could do, while he could do it. That's when I really got into it. Now I play twice a week for 3 to 4 hours.
You go to the crag as well as the gym, don't you?
I go about once a week during the season. I am outdoors, so unlike the safety of the gym, I am a bit intimidated at first, but now I find the rocks more interesting. It is very comfortable to be in nature, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment. There are times when I can't climb a rock in one day, and last year I spent seven days trying in some places. It takes a lot of time and I have to fight fear, so I am very happy when I am able to climb.
Just thinking about it is enough to get the adrenaline flowing.
It's a lot of fun. (Laughs.) It's not easy to have that kind of experience as an adult, so it's great. It's great because you don't get to have that kind of experience as an adult. People cheer you on regardless of your level, and they are happy when you succeed. It may seem like a high hurdle at first glance, but I think it is an activity that is quite easy to participate in.
Have you noticed any changes since you started bouldering?
My concentration has improved. Especially on rocky terrain, there are dangers and you have to be very focused to climb. When you are ready to climb, everyone becomes quiet. It's also important to be able to switch your mind quickly and concentrate, which is also true for modeling, so it's also useful in my work.
It seems to be a good mental workout. I think this activity is also attracting attention as a muscle training and diet activity.
I think the shape-up effect is pretty good, too. I was originally a slender person, but as I continued to work out, I started to gain muscle. However, it was more like toning than becoming macho. Even in the same group, people who were originally big are getting leaner and leaner. It seems that many people in other countries climb for a short time quickly and continue to climb as if it were a fitness activity.
Do you usually boulder in casual clothing?
I tend to dress as I do today, in clothes that are an extension of my everyday attire. There are many people who climb in normal clothes, some in stretch denim, others in skater-like outfits, and any other style of clothing. There is no rule that says, "You have to wear this! I think this is one of the reasons why it is so easy to start climbing.
Do you have any ideas of what you would like to do in the future through bouldering?
I would like to go on an expedition to a foreign crag. There are large-scale spots that you can't find in Japan, and they seem to be very interesting. We go to Shikoku twice a year for an overnight expedition, and it's a lot of fun. We climb rocks, eat, climb again, and camp at night. We talk about rocks the whole time (laughs). (laughs) I want to continue to climb many places in the future.
