Beginner Climbing Tips

Climbing can be a thrilling and rewarding sport. Most climbing gyms are a great place to socialise and stay fit once you get the hang of the basics. Here are my top 5 tips for beginner climbers:

1.      Warm up and cool down: Before starting your climb perform a thorough warm-up to get your blood flowing and muscles loose. This could include light stretching, easy climbing, or dynamic exercises. After climbing, cool down by stretching to help prevent injuries and aid in recovery.

2.      Invest in good gear: Initially, you might want to rent equipment, but if you decide to stick with climbing, investing in your own gear like shoes, a harness and a chalk bag can make a big difference. Proper fitting climbing gear improves your ability to climb. Renting climbing shoes are normally worn out resulting in less grip leading to ineffective climbing.

3.      Focus on Technique Over Strength: While physical strength is important, good technique is crucial and can often compensate for a lack of power. Climbing isn’t just about upper body strength. In fact, your legs and feet are more important because they carry most of your weight. Concentrate on your footwork and try to keep your body close to the wall. Use your legs to push yourself up rather than pulling yourself up with your arms. This helps conserve energy, increases efficiency and better stability.

4.      Climb with more experienced climbers: When you climb with those who are more experienced, you can learn a lot through observation and advice. Don’t be shy to ask for tips or feedback on your climbing technique. Most climbers are happy to share knowledge and experiences.

5.      Practice Falling Safely: Particularly in bouldering, learning how to fall safely can prevent injury and reduce fear. Practice falls in a controlled environment to build your confidence. For rope climbing, learn and practise the proper techniques for belaying and catching falls.