

Indoor Climbing: What to Know Before You Go
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).

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).

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).

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.