Navigating the World of Rock Climbing Gyms - I Wanna Be A Climber (2024)

The Rise of Rock Climbing Gyms

Rock climbing gyms were already growing in popularity before climbing was introduced into the 2020 Olympics. Since then, they have exploded! People find that climbing gyms are a great way to test their minds and body while doing a fun physical activity. The U.S. has almost 600 of these gyms!

Benefits of Indoor Climbing

If you’re new to rock climbing, a gym is the best way to start. Having the accessibility of an indoor rock climbing gym is a great way to enjoy this new hobby. Climbing outside can be hard to do because it requires an initial investment in gear and a bunch of technical knowledge.

Rock climbing gyms allow climbing to people where outdoor rock isn’t accessible. By catering to beginners, these facilities have knowledgeable staff to guide you to become an expert climber!

What are Climbing Gyms?

Climbing gyms are precisely what they sound like: gyms you climb in! There are a few different climbing gyms, and while most also have weightlifting equipment, they are not all created equal.

• Bouldering Gym:This type of gym strictly has bouldering (climbing without a rope typically 15 ft high, using large mats for protection)
• Top Rope Climbing Gym:This type of gym has higher walls that have ropes fixed to the top so people can learn how to belay and practice climbing higher.
• Lead Climbing Gym:This type caters to more advanced climbers who take the rope up with them as they climb, clipping into pieces of protection as they reach higher.

Bouldering Gyms are more common than rope climbing gyms because they require shorter walls and less building equipment.

A climbing gym can serve many purposes. From learning how to climb, enjoying a fun birthday party, or helping you know how to climb outside, gyms are a great place to engage in a fun social activity while doing in a full-body workout!

The Terminology: What Do You Call a Rock Climbing Gym?

What I call a rock climbing gym depends on who I speak with. If I talk with another climber or somebody who knows I frequent a climbing gym, I’ll refer to it as ‘the gym.’ If I’m speaking with somebody I know isn’t familiar with climbing, I’ll refer to it as ‘the climbing gym.’

The way I distinguish between climbing gyms is whether they’re Bouldering Gyms or not. A Bouldering Gym is a climbing gym with only bouldering. In contrast, a climbing gym can have bouldering, lead climbing, and top roping.

What to Wear to a Rock Climbing Gym

You want to be able to use your entire range of motion while climbing, so I suggest wearing loose clothing that doesn’t restrict movement. Many gyms are air-conditioned; if you can, I recommend wearing pants to protect your legs from bumping into the walls or climbing holds. I typically wear pants and a T-shirt when climbing!

I also recommend bringing a pair of flip flops to walk around the gym in when you’re not climbing. Climbing shoes are designed to be restrictive. Having something else to wear when checking out the rest of the gym gives your feet a nice break.

Are Rock Climbing Gyms Safe?

If it’s your first time at a gym, you’re required to fill out a waiver (this is just for liability!) Then, after you’re done checking in, an employee will give you an orientation that goes over the safety measures, the dos and don’ts, a falling instruction, an overview of how to find the proper routes to start climbing and will answer any questions you may have.

Rock climbing gyms are centered around your safety because, as climbers know, life would be a little less fun without these gyms around! Accidents happen, of course, and climbing is a physical activity that can leave you 15 ft in the air wondering how to get down! By receiving a proper orientation, you will have learned how to fall but also how to downclimb safely.

I recommend practicing a few minor falls from the bouldering wall to get comfortable with moving your body should you fall off the wall!

Can I Use Toe Shoes in a Rock Climbing Gym?

This will depend on what the gym you’re climbing at allows. While some gyms are okay with using outside shoes to climb in, many require rock climbing shoes. Don’t worry; gyms have these to rent for the day! Even if your gym allows toe shoes, I recommend renting a pair of proper climbing shoes because they’re designed to drive all your force into your big toe, allowing you to use less muscle to stand on a hold. A toe shoe will allow you to use your big toe by itself, but this leaves the other toes dangling off and not aiding in providing the appropriate force in your foot, causing you to use more energy.

Comparing Climbing Gyms and Bouldering Gyms

As I mentioned, there are a few different climbing gyms. To put it simply, some have ropes, and others do not. The facilities without ropes are considered Bouldering Gyms and are a great way to be introduced to the sport.

Most beginners prefer to learn how to move their bodies on the wall while being low to the ground. By practicing climbing moves within reaching distance of the mats, you can figure out how to step on smaller holds or position your body in a safe environment. I’ve climbed with many beginners who were too scared of being high off the ground to implement any technique and found they climbed better when bouldering close to the ground.

If you can trust gear and have no issues starting on a tall wall, then more power to you! However, I recommend every beginner learn how to climb near the bouldering mats until they’re comfortable trusting their body to climb with more technique.

Tips for Getting Started at a Rock Climbing Gym

My biggest tip is to take an intro class! Most gyms offer instructional courses that teach climbing movements and proper falling techniques. Instructors understand that while climbing may be a little intuitive, there are many nuances to body movement that, if you don’t know them, will make it more difficult. If you’re new at something, why not learn from somebody with more experience?

Basic Etiquette and Guidelines for First-Time Gym-Goers

• Beta Spraying –Don’t give somebody unsolicited beta while they’re climbing. [telling them where to grab/step] Part of the joy of climbing is figuring out how to climb a problem!
• Don’t Snake Others –If you see somebody standing before a climb doing funky hand movements in the air [figuring out the beta in their mind] or brushing chalk off holds, don’t climb that problem before they’ve tried it. There are unspoken rules like these that make climbing gyms fun for others.
• Don’t Wear Your Climbing Shoes in the Restroom –Every gym I’ve been to has signs telling climbers to remove their climbing shoes before entering the restroom/locker room. [bring flip flops]Please follow this simple rule. Bathrooms are filled with germs, and wearing your climbing shoes means carrying them onto the wall, which people touch with their hands. It’s gross.

Embracing the Indoor Climbing Experience

Rock climbing gyms are perfect for beginners but are also suited for advanced and expert climbers! The color-coded routes make it easy to know what you’re climbing, and the large mats under bouldering walls give climbers plenty of space to learn and try new movements.

Introduction climbing courses are a great way to learn techniques, so I suggest you take a few! Then, once you feel comfortable climbing around on the boulders and understand the movement needed to climb, check out a rope gym and see if you like climbing higher!

Even if you don’t decide to drop everything to climb andonlyclimb, climbing gyms are a great way to stay active and challenge your body/mind. They are also just a great place to hang out during those bad-weather days!