How to Practice With Climbing Holds

A person practicing climbing on synthetic climbing holds.

By practicing climbing on artificial climbing holds, a person can develop better technical rock climbing skills and greater strength for improved outdoor climbing. Artificial rock climbing holds simulate features found on outdoor rock climbs. They allow people to practice for outdoor rock climbing in a safe, controlled indoor climbing environment. Course setters affix individual climbing holds of different sizes and shapes at varying intervals and in different orientations on synthetic climbing walls to create individual climbs. These indoor climbing routes challenge the rock climber to perform specific types of climbing movements.

Things You'll Need

• Climbing gym
• Climbing shoes
• Climbing chalk
• Chalk bag

Instructions

1. Choose a rock climbing route or boulder problem to attempt, using the indoor climbing gym's difficulty rating system as a guideline.

2. Read the route or problem from the ground. Try to figure out the order in which you will grab the climbing holds, how to grab them and where to place your feet.

3. Grasp the designated starting holds with your hands, and step onto the wall by placing your feet on the specified starting footholds.

4. 

   A climber keeping his arms as straight as possible.

   Move one hand up to the next handhold on the route. Strive to keep your movement fluid and your arms straight, bending one or both arms only as necessary to make an upward movement. Turn your body to help keep your arms straight, pivoting on your feet to encourage this body position.

5. Attempt to move one foot or both feet up after each hand movement. Watch your foot connect with the intended foothold. Aim to stand on the inside edge of your big toe most of the time, a position offering tremendous power, reach and mobility.

6. Seek stances on decent holds that allow you to rest mid-climb by bending your legs and straightening out your arms. Drop one hand off of the wall, and shake it both above and below your waist. Repeat this process with the other arm, resting until your heart rate lowers and your arms feel more recovered.

Tips & Warnings

• Most indoor climbing gyms allow complete beginners to practice on climbing holds in the bouldering area of the climbing gym.

• You will need a safety harness, climbing rope, belay device and locking carabiner, climbing partner and to pass a gym safety test to climb on indoor roped climbing routes.

• Warm up thoroughly on easy terrain before trying routes with climbing holds that challenge you.

• Try to orient your hands on the climbing holds in the direction that the hold's design encourages, if at all possible.

• Aim to place the least amount of pressure from your hands on each climbing hold you grab, putting as much weight onto your feet as possible.

• Dip your hands into the chalk bag for a light coating of climbing chalk between hand movements and while resting. Chalk helps absorb sweat and improve friction.

• For the most thorough practice, attempt to climb routes with a wide variety of holds and angles.

• Let go of a climbing handhold immediately if you feel any sharp pain in your fingers or hands.

• Do not climb for more than two days in a row on artificial climbing holds.

References

• Indoorclimbing.com: Rock Climbing Technique, Performance and Climbing Tips
• Chockstone: Leading Overhangs
• Just Climb: Climbing Technique Tips Article Use Your Feet

Resources

• CheapHolds.com
• Indoorclimbing.com: World-wide Rock Climbing Gym & Artificial Wall Listing