Going climbing for the first time - what to expect?

My dd climbs inside and outdoors. She wears sports leggings, t shirt and stretchy fleece top if needed plus flexible climbing shoes, but you can often rent them for indoor climbing, trainers may be ok at first. I’ve had a go too using her old shoes and i wasn’t very good as my arms aren’t strong but I got to the top of the beginner kids wall

I hope you love it! We have one locally and I've done it - we had to sign a danger of death disclaimer and that gave me a jolt, so remember to expect that.
I didn't die and neither did anyone else but i did have a brief omfg moment when it was shoved in front of me!
I loved it and plan to go back 😊

Most walls would do monthly membership or say a discount when paying for ten climbs. Going to the women’s group might mean you just pay for entry instead of a more expensive lesson. However, it’s not the cheapest hobby/sport.

I hope you enjoy it.

It's fun (indoor especially). You'll ache! Tip: push up with your legs rather than pulling yourself up with your arms.

You'll be fine OP! I was 17 stone when I was climbing and while I didn't lose weight (because I changed zero about my diet haha) I did feel myself getting much stronger so you will feel the difference. As my friend pointed out at the time, the more you weigh the more you're having to get up the wall - so it really is a proper workout and you will definitely feel it haha.

I hope you meet nice people - a lot of walls have socials for new climbers, women, etc, so get involved if you spot those. My experience was that everyone was mega friendly with new people - many a time I would be standing in front of a route feeling daunted having fallen off/got stuck 5 times at the same bit and would ask someone nearby what I was doing wrong and they'd immediately get involved, watch me do it, offer advice, demonstrate. So I hope you get the same experience!

Only other thing to note is your hands will probably get a bit sore at first from the holds - that gets easier too, though.

Expect to ache a LOT in places you didn't know you had muscles!

It's great and you will be surprised (unless you're already very fit) how quickly you'll be knackered by it - 45 minutes at the wall where half of that was looking at routes, chatting, etc always had me feeling like I'd lifted weights non-stop for 2 hours. But god it's fun and you will get stronger if you keep going. People are really friendly, too, in my experience in about 7-8 different bouldering walls.

But yeah, you'll be achy :)

And worth noting that if you have long nails they can make it a pain (and are just impossible, past a certain beginner point).

Didn't want to read and run but you lucky thing! Its something I've always wanted to do. I climbed up an unattended rock climbing wall once at an outdoor activity centre about 30 years ago in just jeans and trainers - no rope- just on the spur of the moment! Was very impressed how quickly I got up there. But then I couldn't get down!

Partner had to run and get an instructor who climbed up and talked me down step by step. Its was scary.

With ropes it would have been fine of course but if I'd have fallen I'd have broken my legs!

I've lost nearly four stone in weight so I'd love to give climbing a go now! But safely this time! Keep us updated how you get on!