logo

The Global Domain Name (url) Families.com is currently available for acquisition. Please contact by phone at 805-627-1955 or Email for Details

Indoor Climbing Gym – How To Get Started

Are you interested in learning how to get started at an indoor rock climbing gym? Maybe you want to work on your skill level before you start outdoor rock climbing. Maybe you want to test your own limits. Or maybe you just want to test yourself against the idea of climbing a mountain.

After all, why do you climb a mountain? Because it’s there.

To get started at a climbing gym, you need to know that it’s a great workout and that you can enjoy a fun time in a social atmosphere. Most large cities have a climbing gym or have fitness centers that feature climbing gyms. They even have classes for kids along with outdoor rock climbing courses.

You will need several weeks to work on your skills and it’s not something you are going to learn overnight. If you are not in great physical shape, you need to be prepared to invest some time in fitness and exercise as well as climbing.

To locate a climbing gym near you, ask at a local outdoor or sports activity store. They may have climbers on their staff or at least be able to recommend a good climbing gym for you to get started at.

When you have located the local gym or gyms, contact them and see if you can pay them a visit. Most gyms will offer packages for new students and returning ones. Classes offered should instruct you in how to tie in to a harness, the movement techniques you’ll need for climbing and crossing along a wall face, how to belay and more. The nice thing about classes is that you have an opportunity to get to know other climbers who are at your level of skill.

If you choose to join a climbing gym, that’ll be up to you. Most climbing gyms recommend a handful of visits before committing to membership. If you are experimenting and just wanting to take a class, many gyms will offer introductory classes that do not require a membership to take.

You will need to purchase some supplies to begin your climbing career. Some gyms provide these items for rental. But like a good pair of bowling shoes – you never know who’s been in them before you.

You may want to price the following:

  • Climbing Shoes
  • Chalk Bag
  • Comfortable Workout Clothes
  • Harness

Climbing can be physically demanding. If you have any health concerns or back issues, you should get a release from your physician before beginning any class on climbing. Many climbers enjoy the experience intensely and will climb as often as two or three times a week at an indoor gym and on outdoor climbs once or twice a month.

If you’re curious about climbing, check it out. The kid’s climbing courses also take into account age and skill level – and while accidents can still happen, the indoor climbing gym does offer a safer, more controlled atmosphere to tackle a new skill set in.

This entry was posted in Preparing for Outdoor Activities and tagged , , , by Heather Long. Bookmark the permalink.

About Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago. They have a beautiful daughter who just turned five years old. She is learning to read and preparing for kindergarten in the fall. An author of more than 300 articles and 500+ web copy pieces, Heather has also written three books as a ghostwriter. Empty Canoe Publishing accepted a novel of her own. A former horse breeder, Heather used to get most of her exercise outside. In late 2004, early 2005 Heather started studying fitness full time in order to get herself back into shape. Heather worked with a personal trainer for six months and works out regularly. She enjoys shaking up her routine and checking out new exercises. Her current favorites are the treadmill (she walks up to 90 minutes daily) and doing yoga for stretching. She also performs strength training two to three times a week. Her goals include performing in a marathon such as the Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness or Team in Training for Lymphoma research. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience through the fitness and marriage blogs.