How to Get Started With Indoor Rock Climbing

Want to get started with indoor rock climbing? Besides being a great workout, indoor rock climbing teaches problem-solving skills, encourages teamwork, and builds confidence. Thanks to all those benefits, the sport appeals to a wide audience. And thanks to its popularity, it's easy to get started with indoor rock climbing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• climbing lessons
• rock climbing gear

1. FIND A GYM. To get started with indoor rock climbing, you’ll first need to find a climbing center. Do a Google search for “indoor rock climbing gym” and include your city in the search terms.

2. STUDY. Most gyms will require that you take an introductory training lesson before you start climbing. Don’t balk at these lessons: climbing is considered an extreme sport, and the pros will teach you everything you need to know so you stay safe. Even if the intro lesson is optional, take it anyway. Let a professional teach you proper climbing and belaying technique so that you eliminate the possibility of having an accident.

3. GEAR UP. The next thing you’ll need to get started with indoor rock climbing is gear. Proper rock climbing gear is essential for both performance and safety. When you first start out, you can rent your gear from your climbing center. You can be sure that you’ll be outfitted in the correct gear since they’re renting it to you. But when and if you decide to go ahead and get your own gear, consult a professional. There are many different types of rock climbing gear, and each type is made for a specific kind of climbing. The gear you buy is an investment, and you want to be sure it is optimized for your purposes.

4. COME BACK FOR MORE. You should see improvement in your indoor rock climbing technique after just a few sessions. And if you’re worried about being bored with indoor rock climbing walls, don’t fret. There are specially trained indoor rock wall route setters who make an art and science out of creating challenging courses. Climbing gyms will regularly change their rock climbing walls to be sure that climbers stay challenged mentally and physically

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t think that you can just waltz into an indoor rock climbing facility wearing your sneakers or hiking boots. You won’t be able to climb in those types of shoes. Proper rock climbing gear including shoes are an essential. Rock climbing shoes are made specially to aid climbers with sticky rubber soles, a curved shape, and a super tight fit.
• After you’ve been climbing for a while, you can ramp up the difficulty level of your climbs by trying a rock climbing wall with a steeper incline. The steeper the incline, the more upper body strength you’ll have to use.
• It's essential to communicate with your partner during indoor rock climbing. The better you communicate, the quicker you'll be able to recover after falls.

Resources

• Learn how to climb indoors

[brantsbabe]

on 2/3/2009 This seems like such fun. My husband is such an awesome rock climber, but I've never attempted it. This would be a good start. 5*

[1auburndad]

on 1/22/2009 Interesting topic. It seems like a great hobby. Maybe I will be able to work up the nerve to try it.