How To

How to Boulder Safely

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Bouldering is an excellent way to practice your footwork, build strength and become a better climber. Keep it safe by taking a few basic precautions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Athletic Tapes
  • Climbing Gear
  • Climbing Harnesses
  • Climbing Helmets
  • Climbing Ropes
  • Climbing Shoes
  1. Step 1

    Warm up before you begin. Try jogging or cycling for 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes devoted to stretching your fingers, arms, neck, back and legs.

  2. Step 2

    Boulder with a partner who can spot you as you climb. The spotter should keep his or her hands up and be ready to guide you to a safe landing should you fall off the rock.

  3. Step 3

    Use a crash pad to absorb the impact of a short fall. Your spotter should move the crash pad as you climb to keep it beneath you at all times.

  4. Step 4

    Tackle easy problems until you're thoroughly warmed up. Gradually move on to more difficult problems.

  5. Step 5

    Use a rope if you'll be bouldering so high that a spotter won't be effective. Technically, you'll no longer be bouldering (you'll be rock climbing), but at least you won't get hurt if you fall. Be sure to seek professional instruction on how to use a rope effectively.

  6. Step 6

    Consider wearing a helmet. While most boulderers don't wear them, they're a good idea if you think you might fall.

  7. Step 7

    Protect your fingers and tendons by taping up before you go. A tight strip of athletic tape above and below the bottom knuckles of the middle two fingers of each hand is a good preventative measure.

  8. Step 8

    Take at least one day off between bouldering sessions to allow your muscles and tendons to recover. As you become stronger, you might be able to increase the amount of time you spend on the rock.

  9. Step 9

    Warm down when you're through. Stretch any muscles that feel tight.

Tips & Warnings
  • Avoid problems that are too difficult, dangerously high or have reputations for causing injury. A problem with a name like "tendon snapper," for instance, might not be worth climbing.
  • When bouldering alone, stay low enough so that you can fall or jump off without risk of injury.
  • Bouldering is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek the proper equipment and training before undertaking this activity.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

eHow Article: How to Boulder Safely

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Sports & Fitness Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Sports and Fitness
eHow_eHow Sports and Fitness