If you feel lost when just starting out in your indoor climbing journey, these basic tips are what will help start building the confidence and place focus on developing good habits early.
Prioritise Proper Footwork
Beginner climbers tend to over-grip with their hands and do not pay enough attention to footwork. Take care to place your feet on purposeful holds, use the inside edge of your climbing shoes for precise placement. Have faith in your feet – they are more powerful than you arms and will save energy. For Bouldering Cheltenham, visit https://www.270climbing.com/
Learn Gym Etiquette
Be patient, help others to find climbing points if requested and articulate your needs properly. Do not boulder directly above or below another person. There are generally rules at most gyms when it comes to waiting in line for a route, or what you can use/what’s off limits.
Rent Before You Buy
Before you buy, test out several styles and sizes of shoes until you find the right one for your feet. The classic phrase you hear from shoe brands is “comfortably snug” which will usually mean tight, but not so unbearable that you can’t walk around in them! It might make good sense to rent equipment at the outset for you to ascertain your tastes.
Take a Class
The better news is that nearly every climbing gym now offers some type of beginner course about safety, technique and basic movement patterns. These classes help you get into the habit of learning and avoid practising bad habits.
Listen to Your Body
The necessity of the fingers, forearms and shoulders for this type of climbing wear on you swiftly when indoors. Allow full rests between burns, fuel up with plenty of water and don’t climb through pain. Slow steady steps will keep you from hurting yourself and allow for a strength that lasts.