Climbing Elements
We offer a greater variety of climbing options than anyone else in the industry – not just different looking options that do the same thing, but truly different climbers. A ladder, by any other name and regardless of shape, is still a ladder, but our climbers go way beyond the conventional ladder in variety and type of muscle groups targeted and skills developed.
All GFP climbers have at least two handgrips for transition to the platform. For all climbers, adding height adds difficulty. GFP’s goal is to provide high challenge with low risk, thus height is a critical factor. Adding height alone does not increase play value. The best climbers (best play value) provide the maximum challenge (exercise benefit and fun) at the minimum height. As you read the following descriptions of our climbers, please note the variety of grip requirements, muscle group demands, and age recommendations.
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The Bi-Pedal Climber is a relatively narrow, angled climbing “log” with alternating cleats along the top face of the log. It is a challenging balance and climbing activity. Exercises toes, calf muscles, lower back, and hamstrings. School-age use only. (pictured above)
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The Perceptual Motor Wall is a vertical climbing wall with grooved Trex blocks mounted at various spacing that exercises forearms, trunk muscles, as well as general arm and leg muscle groups. The uneven spacing of blocks requires eye-hand coordination, forces visual focus acquisition, release, and re-acquisition (similar to the visual skill required in reading), and develops motor planning. The groove on the top of the block promotes finger and wrist strength. Older preschool and school-age
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The Chain Wall Climber consists of a slightly angled, cleated wall with a single plastic coated chain hanging down the center of the wall. Children use this climber by pulling on the chain and walking up the wall. This is a challenging upper body activity that requires coordination and strength. Because it requires the child to climb the chain all the way to the top anchoring device, it maximizes the climbing benefit of the height of the deck. Older preschool and school-age.
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The Bi Lateral Climb consists of two vertical posts with blocks attached on the facing sides and is the only climber requiring children to push out in order to use the climber. It works the shoulders, triceps muscles of the arms, stretches the leg muscles and involves motor planning. Older preschool and school-age.
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The Totem Climb is a single vertical post with blocks attached on three sides, which brings the hands and feet to the mid-line of the body (stretching the back muscles), exercises thigh muscles and involves motor planning. Older preschool and school-age.
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The Tire Climb is a vertical climber with tires mounted on a frame. This requires reliance on leg strength but forces children to use hands as they ascend/descend. Flexing of tires introduces a slight movement challenge to the climbing event. Preschool and school age. Drain holes are provided.
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The Oblique Climber is an angled climber requiring more reliance on leg strength than arm strength. The fixed angle encourages children to maintain hand contact and discourages climbing without hands. It is much preferred over metal pipe “arch climbers” which present a number of risks to young children. Angled climbers are generally considered easier than vertical climbers. The flat face of the climbing “rungs” presents a broader, and thus safer, surface should children fall against them. Toddlers, preschoolers, school-agers.
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The Over/Under Climber is an angled climbing wall with a solid plane, overlaid with 1.5” high cleats. This climber provides an easy climbing angle, and the design eliminates the possibility that any portion of the child’s body can extend through the climbing plane. Young toddlers up.
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