Rock Climbing

Whether you are a newbie to rock climbing or have even done it for many years, there are certain tips and suggestions that could turn you into an even better rock climber. If you are new to rock climbing it is a very good idea that you first take a class on the sport. While the class will teach you the basics of rock climbing and give you a little bit of safety advice, it usually is under an hour. Of course learning the basics is crucial, but there are many other techniques that will not be taught during an intro class.


Not only is rock climbing physically taxing, but it can also be very mentally exhausting. It is better to plan out your moves on a climb than to just approach it with brute force. For this very reason, it may be better to start climbing when you are tired already. This is not a joke. If you try to go climbing when you are full of energy, you will attack the wall, but if you are already tired, you will plan out all of your steps and try to use as little energy as possible.

When rock climbing, always try to work with the wall. One way to do so is to always find and keep your center of gravity. Your center of gravity should always be held in your abdomen and whenever you make a movement, it should begin here. Make sure to keep your legs directly underneath your body or, if you are between movements, space them out evenly on either side of you. Never use your upper body to move. When climbing, move only one leg at a time to ensure that you are using your lower body only. If you feel you are starting to get a muscle cramp, do not continue moving. By doing so, the cramp will pass and you will be able to continue climbing. If you try to keep moving while you have the cramp, it might get worse. When resting, you can either stand on the wall or you can use your harness to rest in. If you choose to rest in the harness, just be aware that it will require a lot more movement to get back to the wall once you are done resting.

Always be thinking. When in between movements make sure to plan what you are going to do next. Check all viable options for foot and hand holds and figure out which arm or leg you are going to use to get to them. Do not feel the need to go fast when rock climbing. Go as slowly as you need to go. It is not a race (unless you are sport climbing).

To get the most experience, watch other climbers to learn what the best techniques for climbing. Carefully observe their movements. How they shift weight, where they are resting, and how they move from each foot and hand hold to the next one.