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).
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
