Fun ways to exercise with a climbing ladder

Exercise doesn’t have to be repetitive or feel like a chore. What if staying active was as natural as play? A climbing ladder isn’t just for kids—it’s a highly effective full-body workout that strengthens muscles, improves coordination, and enhances endurance without the monotony of a traditional workout.

Imagine this: your kids are in the backyard, climbing, swinging, and laughing. Instead of standing on the sidelines, you join in. You scale the ladder, challenge your grip strength with a controlled hang, and engage your core with knee raises. Before you know it, you’re breaking a sweat—without even thinking about exercise.

A climbing ladder offers a versatile and engaging way to stay fit, whether to build strength, improve mobility, or simply move more throughout the day. If structured workouts don’t fit into your schedule, incorporating a climbing ladder into your routine could be the perfect solution.

The benefits of a climbing ladder for fitness

Unlike traditional gym workouts, a climbing ladder integrates fitness seamlessly into everyday life. There’s no need to set aside extra time—it’s always there, ready for movement when you are.

Climbing engages multiple muscle groups, including the arms, shoulders, core, legs, and back, helping to build functional strength. The continuous movement also increases cardiovascular endurance, while navigating the ladder enhances balance, coordination, and agility.

Beyond its physical benefits, a climbing ladder promotes an active lifestyle for the entire family, encouraging outdoor play, movement, and fun.

Fun and effective climbing ladder exercises

Now that you know why climbing is such a fantastic workout, let’s dive into some fun and challenging ways to use a climbing ladder for exercise. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, these exercises will strengthen your body and keep workouts exciting.

1. Classic ladder climb

A fundamental exercise that builds strength, endurance, and coordination.

• Climb to the top with controlled movements.
• Descend steadily, maintaining a firm grip.
• Repeat for 5-10 rounds, increasing speed or duration for added challenge.

2. Hanging knee raises

Strengthen your core and improve grip strength.

• Hang from a sturdy rung with both hands.
• Lift your knees toward your chest, engaging your abdominal muscles.
• Lower slowly and repeat for 10-15 reps.
• For added difficulty, extend your legs straight instead of bending your knees.

3. Monkey bar hang challenge

Enhance endurance and grip strength with this simple yet effective exercise.

• Hang from the bars for as long as possible.
• Set a personal goal to extend your time with each session.
• Make it a fun family challenge to see who can hold on the longest.

4. Pull-up progressions

Develop upper body strength using your climbing ladder.

• Grip a high rung with an overhand grip.
• Pull yourself up until your chin clears the bar.
• Lower yourself slowly to maximise muscle engagement.
• If a full pull-up is too difficult, use a jump-assisted technique to build strength gradually.

5. Climbing ladder circuit workout

For a time-efficient full-body workout, try this structured routine:

• 1-minute ladder climb
• 10 hanging knee raises
• 30-second monkey bar hang
• 5 pull-ups (or assisted pull-ups)
• Repeat for 3-4 rounds

This combination keeps the heart rate elevated while developing strength, stability, and endurance.

Making exercise a family affair

A climbing ladder isn’t just about fitness—it’s a way to bring your family together through movement. Kids love climbing, and when they see you join in, they’ll be even more excited to stay active.

Ways to Get Everyone Moving:

• Turn workouts into friendly competitions. Who can climb the fastest or hold a hang the longest?
• Create an obstacle course. Add swings, balance beams, or even a backyard relay race.
• Encourage teamwork. Take turns leading exercises and cheer each other on.

By making movement part of everyday fun, you’re instilling lifelong healthy habits in your children.

Why a climbing ladder is a great addition to your backyard

Unlike bulky gym equipment, a climbing ladder is a space-efficient, durable, and versatile addition to any backyard. It serves multiple purposes—a play structure for children, a functional training tool for adults, and a way to encourage consistent movement throughout the day.

Why Funky Monkey Bars?

A Funky Monkey Bars climbing ladder transforms your backyard into a hub of serious fun and functional fitness. Designed for outdoor conditions, it features high-quality, weather-resistant materials built to last. The modular and expandable design means you can adjust it to fit your space and fitness goals.

More than just exercise, it encourages active play and reduces screen time for the whole family. Whether you’re a kid, teen, or adult, there’s always a way to move and challenge yourself.

Don’t just work out—climb higher with Funky Monkey Bars

An exercise climbing ladder isn’t just about fitness—it’s about taking action, moving more, and making every climb count. Every time you grip a rung, hang, or pull yourself up, you’re building strength, pushing past limits, and having a blast while doing it.

Why sit on the sidelines when you can join in the fun? Turn your backyard into the ultimate training ground with our monkey bar sets. Race your kids, challenge yourself, and start moving a natural part of your everyday life.

Want to learn more? Get in touch! Whether you have questions or are ready to start your fitness journey, contact Funky Monkey Bars today and let’s get you climbing!