Going climbing for the first time - what to expect?

[Stuckstuckstuckfuck]

It's indoors so I dont know whether it's classed as climbing by purists but that's what I'm calling it!

I've never even properly looked at a wall so I'm coming from a complete zero. It's a proper place used by competition climbers and boulderers(?)

I have a 1:1 session tomorrow. What should I expect?

It's blooming expensive! So realistically, even if I love it, I wont be able to go more than once a week. So I'm not expecting much physical change.

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!

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).

Very overweight and unfit but working on it. I'm hoping it will help with my strength and core. It is going to be HARD!

My nails are kept short but polished. I hadnt even thought of the chipped nails! Eek! 🤣

I know I'm not going to be scrambling up anywhere but if I can make it a few feet up, Ill be delighted!

Everywhere seems to talk about it being a friendly community. I hope so. I struggle to fit in and I'm doing it by myself. When I used to run, I found runners were generally encouraging and happy to chat and help.

There is a place 2 minutes from work. I've been eyeing it up for a while but was always "after I've lost a stone", "it's too scary by myself", "it's too expensive" etc etc but if I wait for conditions to be perfect then it will never happen.

They extended their opening hours at the beginning of the month and now it fits in with my working hours so...

My son has done a lot of the more play type climbing places and loves it so will be jealous. 🤣

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.

Thank you for this. It's very daunting so that makes me feel better.

Strength is the main reason tbh.

Good point about my hands!

They do have a woman's session which if I enjoy my 1:1 is what Im going to go to. It's not at the most convenient time though so it may be that I move away from it once Im a bit more confident. I'm jumping ahead of myself though. I might hate it! 🤣

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

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.

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 😊

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

Shoe rental is £3.50! Out of pure curiosity I looked at the cost of climbing shoes. They start at £25 which will be rubbish but I'm guessing fine for 1hr once a week on baby walls. So if I like it, Ill just buy some.

Looking at the photos, it seems anything goes clothes wise. As stupid as it sounds I feel very very self conscious in leggings even thicker runner ones and will be too busy feeling bad about those to concentrate
So although they are probably the most practical I wont be wearing them.

Nervous but excited. I hope I like it.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! I would recommend bouldering once you start because you can go anytime and don’t need someone else there to do the ropes.
In terms of clothing, leggings are good because they won’t get caught on the walls and allow a good range of movement. When I was younger, I like to climb in skinny jeans though lol. Your clothes may get ruined from the chalk, from getting caught on the climbing wall/ripped so don’t wear your nicest things. Also, make sure your top won’t ride up! You want a longish T-shirt or something fairly tight, or a vest tucked in underneath otherwise your stomach will be on display!

Do you need a buddy to hold the ropes then? Is it just a case of asking some random if you can take it in turns? Ill be going by myself and wont know anyone.

On the walls my son goes to they use ropes but dont have to have someone hold them.

See, I've no idea!

Bouldering wouldnt be a good idea. I have epilepsy. I've not lost consciousness in 10+ years and seizures are rare and I'm completely with it when I do have them (I just feel a bit floaty and Alice In Wonderland symptoms for less than a minute) so climbing with ropes is fine. I wouldnt want to risk climbing high up and having a fit no matter how unlikely.

Some places have auto belays,but generally yeas, its a pairs sport.

Equipment wise (if its for you)... chalk bag, shoes and harness. Water bottle. DDs climbing wall is freezing... its just so big!) So she wears a thin fleece until she's warmed up!

Climbers are a very friendly bunch.

If you've booked a session, like a taster session, and it's on ropes you'll have an instructor who will belay you (hold the rope, which runs through a metal contraption called a belay device). You'll have to receive instruction on how to belay and usually need to be supervised and signed off before you can belay someone else indoors. If you're climbing on ropes alone, ask about beginners clubs. Most centres have them and you'll be guaranteed people to climb with, usually with an instructor on hand. Chances are you'll meet someone and then you can arrange times to climb together as partners.

Bouldering will just be a safety briefing then off you go. No equipment except shoes and chalk.

Try to climb on straight arms (I.e. sort of hang off your arms, rather than keeping them bent which will burn you out quickly and is very inefficient). Watch a couple of YouTube videos before you go for tips!

Anything goes clothing wise. I climb mostly in stretchy jeans or combats, vest or t-shirt and a fleece. Leggins fine. Shorts. Whatever. There's no dress code! As long as you can bend your legs you're fine and will blend in! Prepare to be addicted, get super strong and your hands will hurt like he'll after the first few sessions until your skin adapts. Use a good moisturiser afterwards!!!

It’s fun!! Wear what you like, I wear joggers. Others wear stretchy trousers. If you like it, you’ll need to find a buddy. But some centres have a guaranteed partner scheme, which means that on a certain night there’ll always be a staff member to belay you (hold the rope).

If you can get to the women’s group then you can hopefully meet a buddy and then just go when is convenient for you.

If you have epilepsy, I wouldn’t let you belay me unless you were using an assisted braked belay device. Because if you had a seizure while you were belaying someone then they would get injured or die. But talk to the instructor as they’ll have tips about which belay device would be best for you.

I’ve found climbing to be really inclusive of all abilities. So don’t worry about body size! If it’s fun, it’s fun!

Hmm good point about holding ropes for someone else. I wouldnt do it if I didnt think I was safe but it's unfair to expect someone else to make that decision, especially a stranger.

I have no one to go with so will have to rely on the people there. I'm not great at making friends so that is going to be a challenge.

I've gone from being excited to thinking it's not going to be possible. 😪I've signed up to the 1:1 so will go to that regardless but will better manage my expectations.

I do the bouldering sort of indoor climbing, so no ropes. The walls aren’t that high because of this.

It’s great fun, I’m relatively rubbish, so I just try green and yellow routes mostly. The staff and other climbers are really friendly, and will sometimes offer some advice when they see you struggling with something.

It’s bloody freezing though - I wear joggers, a thin long sleeved top tucked in, a t-shirt, a hoodie, and a hat.

It’s also the best sport because you can just have a break in between climbs. I see some people reading or listening to music.

As above, and take your rings off before you climb if you don’t want to scratch them.

Don't panic! Depending on the centre, most now have varying numbers of autobelays (machines at the top of the wall with a long strap that you clip onto your harness and will lower you down automatically when you fall off or get to the top). You won't need a partner to climb with then. Bigger centers have several of these (the speed climbing event in the olympics uses them). Climbing is a really friendly sport. I'm the most awkward person in the world but have made loads of friends through climbing!

Women’s climbing nights are perfect for someone new to the sport. Also look out for the beginners night. My local wall has a beginners class anyone can dip in and out of just for the cost of wall entry. I’m very overweight but love the social side of the sport and the challenge even though I just stick on the beginner circuits. Focus on using your legs and avoid overgripping with your hands. Bouldering is perfectly fine by yourself and the community is very friendly. If you take to it, look at a monthly membership or 12 climbs for the price of 10 type deals.

How did it go?

Our wall has a beginners social for bouldering. I've been going over a year and have made really good friends.
Bouldering walls only go up to 4-5m or so, and you don't have to climb to the top so you can always control how far above the mats you go. The mats are designed to reduce injury if you fall - which boulderers do fairly frequently.
The nice thing about bouldering is that you can go any time which suits you - you don't need a partner.

I love it.

The people who started a couple of weeks ago said they hurt for 4 days after but we're keen to come back the next week!

Well, Ive put on so much weight that my rings dont fit anymore so I dont need to worry about that! 🤣