Ready for a day of fun, adventure, and physical activity, I entered the Earth Treks climbing center in Timonium, one of three centers in Maryland. Though expensive, I did come out of the experience with some seriously sore forearms, but felt very accomplished.

After registering at the front desk, we had a significant wait, about 30 minutes, before an employee was available to belay us. Belaying is the rope system used to keep the climber from falling. Though we were warned there would be a wait because of heavy traffic on Saturdays, this could be detrimental to your experience if you don’t have the time to spare.

The employee belaying us was an experienced rock-climber, friendly, helpful, and relaxed. Overall, customer service at the center was above par. For $25 each you have free range of the lower level of the center, which contains a continuous wall spanning parts of all four sides of the center, some parts of which are up to 50 feet high.

You can climb three times with an employee belaying you from the center. By the end of my three turns, which can take as short or as long of a time as you want, I was somewhat physically drained, even though I definitely could have climbed for longer.

Each wall can be as challenging as you make it. Each hand hold has a piece of colored tape attached to it, so you can follow a colored course, with each course ranging in difficulty. I stuck with the easier courses and even those were a challenge for me.

In terms of a fun activity to do with a group of friends or on a date, rock climbing might not be the best idea, as I spent more time talking to the girl belaying us while I wasn’t climbing. However, if you were to learn how to belay, which is offered in a class at the center, you could belay a partner and purchase a pass for the month.

This could make the activity a more effective form of physical activity, more fun with a group of friends or as a couple activity, and more affordable.

Karly Horn is an A&E Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.