Overcome your vertically challenged existence by climbing the walls -- literally. Sports climbing is one of the best ways to build strength, balance and coordination without setting foot in the weight room.

You climb a wall riddled with foot- and handholds while tied to one end of a rope. Your partner controls the other end of the rope, so you are safe and secure.

Climbing is a good total body workout. It promotes endurance and cardiovascular health, muscle and bone strength, and flexibility, without the tedium that some exercises can induce.

For some, climbing is primarily a fitness routine. For others, it becomes part of a quest for enlightenment and harmony. You might just start out in the neighborhood gym and end up scaling a monolith in Utah or a cliff in Yosemite.

• This activity requires and develops the perfect blend of physical prowess, mental toughness and cerebral dexterity.
  
  
• You'll get so involved in the process you'll forget it's exercise.
  
  
• This is one exercise that will not make you yawn.
  
  
• If you graduate to outdoor climbing, you can enjoy amazing views of some of the most beautiful places in the world.

• You have to invest a lot of time to become a proficient climber.
  
  
• You need a partner to "belay" you (manage the climbing rope), so this is not a solo venture.
  
  
• If you’re not young and in shape like many climbers are and don’t know their lingo, you might feel intimidated starting out.
  
  
• Climbing requires a lot of complicated gear, scrupulous safety measures. Plus, if you get serious about participating, it’s not exactly inexpensive.