Fitness
Indoor Climbing: What to Know Before You Go
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Indoor climbing is all the rage, but stepping into the gym for the first time may seem a little daunting. We’re here to tell you everything you need to know before losing your IC card (indoor climbing, if you didn’t get that).
Bring Socks
If you don’t have your own climbing shoes, that’s okay. Just be sure to bring a pair of socks with you. You’ll be able to rent shoes, and trust us, you won’t want to go sockless. When you’re done, spray the shoes with some Lysol and throw in a dryer sheet to keep them fresh for the next person. (These are usually provided in the shoe area).
1
Bring Socks
If you don’t have your own climbing shoes, that’s okay. Just be sure to bring a pair of socks with you. You’ll be able to rent shoes, and trust us, you won’t want to go sockless. When you’re done, spray the shoes with some Lysol and throw in a dryer sheet to keep them fresh for the next person. (These are usually provided in the shoe area).
Look for ropes (or not).
Some indoor climbing gyms have ropes to help you climb—this is called top-roping. Others have no ropes at all and padded floors beneath the walls—this is called bouldering. If you’re not sure what you’d prefer, find a gym that has both!
2
Look for ropes (or not).
Some indoor climbing gyms have ropes to help you climb—this is called top-roping. Others have no ropes at all and padded floors beneath the walls—this is called bouldering. If you’re not sure what you’d prefer, find a gym that has both!
Use chalk.
You might notice that white, powdery stuff all over the place—that’s chalk. Chalk can help protect the skin on your fingers from getting blisters from the rocks and keep you from slipping when your hands get sweaty. All gyms have chalk you can use, either for rent or purchase. Note: if there’s an unwatched bag on the floor somewhere, it probably belongs to someone. They might be willing to share, but ask before you dip your fingers in!
3
Use chalk.
You might notice that white, powdery stuff all over the place—that’s chalk. Chalk can help protect the skin on your fingers from getting blisters from the rocks and keep you from slipping when your hands get sweaty. All gyms have chalk you can use, either for rent or purchase. Note: if there’s an unwatched bag on the floor somewhere, it probably belongs to someone. They might be willing to share, but ask before you dip your fingers in!
Stay in your lane.
As you’re climbing, make sure you stick to rocks that are all the same color. Routes are color-coded so you know which ones to grab onto and which way to go. You can boost yourself up using any surface (like volumes—those raised blocks on the wall), but don’t grab any rocks that aren’t the color of your route. Once you’ve made it to the top, feel free to use any color to get down—or just jump!
4
Stay in your lane.
As you’re climbing, make sure you stick to rocks that are all the same color. Routes are color-coded so you know which ones to grab onto and which way to go. You can boost yourself up using any surface (like volumes—those raised blocks on the wall), but don’t grab any rocks that aren’t the color of your route. Once you’ve made it to the top, feel free to use any color to get down—or just jump!
Check the difficulty.
Usually, there will be signs posted that describe the range of difficulty for each route. Keep your eye out and choose beginner paths to start until you get the hang of it. Routes are graded using the V scale, a 0-17 range that shows how hard the climb will be. Start with a V0 or V1 and work your way up!
5
Check the difficulty.
Usually, there will be signs posted that describe the range of difficulty for each route. Keep your eye out and choose beginner paths to start until you get the hang of it. Routes are graded using the V scale, a 0-17 range that shows how hard the climb will be. Start with a V0 or V1 and work your way up!
Know where to start.
There will usually be a tag on the first hold(s) of each route to mark where you should place your hands. Starting hand positions are important and usually marked with colored tape or a small tag. If you’re unsure, ask someone next to you for help—they won’t bite. It doesn’t matter where your feet are placed when you start, as long as they’re off the ground.
6
Know where to start.
There will usually be a tag on the first hold(s) of each route to mark where you should place your hands. Starting hand positions are important and usually marked with colored tape or a small tag. If you’re unsure, ask someone next to you for help—they won’t bite. It doesn’t matter where your feet are placed when you start, as long as they’re off the ground.
Tuck and roll.
If you’re bouldering, know you’ll probably fall. Don’t worry, the floors are padded, so it won’t hurt. When you fall, try to land in a way that protects your joints. Relax and let yourself roll back onto your butt, so you don’t land on locked knees.
7
Tuck and roll.
If you’re bouldering, know you’ll probably fall. Don’t worry, the floors are padded, so it won’t hurt. When you fall, try to land in a way that protects your joints. Relax and let yourself roll back onto your butt, so you don’t land on locked knees.
Keep your distance.
Be respectful, and don’t climb too close to other people. There’s nothing worse than an accidental hand-hold six feet in the air. Also, look up! Don’t walk under anyone who’s climbing. They could fall at any minute, and you don’t want to get hit.
8
Keep your distance.
Be respectful, and don’t climb too close to other people. There’s nothing worse than an accidental hand-hold six feet in the air. Also, look up! Don’t walk under anyone who’s climbing. They could fall at any minute, and you don’t want to get hit.
Have fun!
The first time at anything can be pretty scary—especially if you’re climbing up a 15-foot wall with no ropes. Remember that everyone there was once in your shoes (maybe literally), and they’ll probably be willing to share some tips and encouragement. So hang in there—or don’t, the floor is padded.
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Have fun!
The first time at anything can be pretty scary—especially if you’re climbing up a 15-foot wall with no ropes. Remember that everyone there was once in your shoes (maybe literally), and they’ll probably be willing to share some tips and encouragement. So hang in there—or don’t, the floor is padded.
Fitness
Community Close-up: The Kyles of Kyle House Fitness
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Kyle House Fitness is Chattanooga’s premier fitness program offering group fitness classes and personal training with the best-certified instructors and trainers in the area. Located on Chattanooga’s thriving Southside, Kyle House Fitness is more than a gym, they pride themselves on building a welcoming and inclusive community. The owners of this gym, Kyle House and Kyle Miller (AKA The Kyles), may sound familiar to you since they recently wrote a blog post for us on how to be an LGBTQIA+ ally in the fitness space.
Since they happen to be one of the most influential duos in the fitness industry, we were eager to sit down and learn more about what wellness means to them. Ready to get to know The Kyles better? Let’s dive in.
Tell us about yourself. What led you to where you are now?
We have always had a love for fitness. From an early age, we were both very athletic (swimming, gymnastics, and cheerleading). Once we graduated, we slowly transitioned into training young athletes and then later started working on our careers. Kyle House started personal training at a large gym and began building a solid career as a personal trainer and groups fitness instructor. Kyle Miller started working in marketing and communications ranging from politics, law enforcement, and tech becoming a leading public relations professional. After working in their fields for about 10 years they decided to combine their love of fitness with their experience and built one of the most successful fitness facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Wellness to us has always been about leading a life that is balanced. It's not all fitness, it's not all work, it's not all fun...
What inspired you to open your business? What motivates you day-to-day?
During our time working at other gyms and visiting other facilities that many were either missing qualified and motivating trainers, topnotch customer service, or a workout that was balanced and would lead to results for everyone whether they were casual fitness enthusiasts or hardcore athletes. We are motivated on a day-to-day basis by the idea that we can always be better. The experience can get better, the community can grow stronger, and we can continue to show people that fitness is more than just a way to look good, it's therapy.
What does wellness mean to you? Has it evolved over the past couple of years?
Wellness to us has always been about leading a life that is balanced. It's not all fitness, it's not all work, it's not all fun... it's not all healthy food, it's not just junk food—it's about finding a way to reach your own personal goals while still having a healthy relationship with fitness, friends, family, and food—otherwise known as the four Fs.
If you're in the Chattanooga area, you should definitely check out Kyle House Fitness to take your wellness routine to the next level. You can book classes on the Mindbody app or through their KHF app.
