{"id":5636,"date":"2015-09-23T15:20:09","date_gmt":"2015-09-23T22:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=5636"},"modified":"2018-11-11T21:56:19","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T05:56:19","slug":"rock-climbing-indoors-step-by-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/climb\/rock-climbing-indoors-step-by-step","title":{"rendered":"Rock Climbing Indoors, Step by Step"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many climbers today get their start at indoor climbing gyms. Available almost everywhere across the country, gyms let you explore the sport of climbing in a comfortable and easy-to-access environment.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been wondering what this climbing business is all about\u2014and whether it could be for you\u2014here are some tips to get you started.<\/p>\nLearn more: Gym to Crag<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

Step 1: Try bouldering.<\/h4>\n

Many gyms offer two different kinds of climbing<\/a>: bouldering, where you climb unroped on short walls with big pads underneath to protect you if you fall; and toproping, where you tie into a rope in order to safely climb a higher wall.<\/p>\n

Bouldering is a great way to get started climbing because you can focus completely on your movement. Just show up, buy a day pass, rent some shoes from the gym and give it a try. Routes will be rated starting at VB (standing for \u201cV Basic\u201d) or V0 on up, in increasing order of difficulty.<\/p>\n

If you love bouldering, there\u2019s no reason to switch over to toproping if you don\u2019t want to. Bouldering is a genuine and respected sport in its own right.<\/p>\n

Gear needed: Climbing shoes<\/a>.
\n<\/em>Nice to have: Chalk and chalk bag<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Step 2: Take a belay class and try toproping.<\/h4>\n

\"Indoor<\/p>\n

Toproping is a partner game, where one of you climbs and the other provides the \u201cbelay\u201d to keep you safe. Most gyms will offer a belay class so that you can learn how to belay safely as well as how to climb while tied into the rope. If you want to transition from bouldering to toproping, take one of these classes as your first step. Then you can hit the walls with a partner and try your hand at longer routes. Most gyms have routes rated with numbers along a spectrum from roughly 5.6 (easiest) to 5.12 (hardest).<\/p>\n

Gear needed: Climbing shoes, harness<\/a>, belay device<\/a>, one locking carabiner<\/a>.
\n<\/em>Nice to have: Chalk and chalk bag.<\/em><\/p>\n

Step 3: If you decide to climb indoors regularly, commit to buying your own gear.<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019ve tried climbing and decide you want to work out at the gym regularly, you\u2019ll probably want to buy your own gear rather than spend money to rent it each time.<\/p>\n

\"Indoor<\/p>\n

Your first purchase should be climbing shoes<\/a>, since well-fitted shoes can make a big difference in your climbing performance; you\u2019ll need rock shoes whether you\u2019re bouldering or toproping. Next, buy a chalk bag and chalk\u2014it\u2019s cheap, and when your palms get sweaty while pulling that crux move, you\u2019ll be thankful for it. That\u2019s all you need for bouldering.<\/p>\n

If you want to continue toproping, you\u2019ll need to spring for a harness, belay device and a locking carabiner to go with the device. Then you\u2019re all set.<\/p>\n

Next in our series will be a step-by-step guide to climbing outdoors<\/a>, so check back again soon.<\/p>\nGetting Started Rock Climbing<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

This does not constitute formal instruction in climbing. Climbing is a dangerous activity and you undertake it at your own risk.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many climbers today get their start at indoor climbing gyms. Available almost everywhere across the country, gyms let you explore the sport of climbing in a comfortable and easy-to-access environment. If you\u2019ve been wondering what this climbing business is all about\u2014and whether it could be for you\u2014here are some tips to get you started. Step […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[352,442,342,66],"internal-tag":[1674],"class_list":["post-5636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climb","tag-climb","tag-rock-climbing","tag-shelby-carpenter","tag-tips","internal-tag-pre-redirect-climb"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/climb\/rock-climbing-indoors-step-by-step","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Rock Climbing Indoors, Step by Step","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/climb\/rock-climbing-indoors-step-by-step","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/climb\/rock-climbing-indoors-step-by-step"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/Gym-Climbing-Header-1500x960.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/Gym-Climbing-Header-1500x960.jpg?fit=1500%2C960"},"articleSection":"Climb","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Angela Crampton"}],"creator":["Angela Crampton"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["climb","rock climbing","shelby carpenter","tips"],"dateCreated":"2015-09-23T22:20:09Z","datePublished":"2015-09-23T22:20:09Z","dateModified":"2018-11-12T05:56:19Z"},"rendered":"