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.

It was cancelled! The gym had a power cut and closed for the day. They are going to ring me today and if everything is OK will fit me in tomorrow.

That might be outing so if anyone goes to the same wall and sees a fat lady with zero strength or dexterity being taught by Steve or possibly Mike tomorrow, say hi! 🤣

They don't do beginner classes but do a women's session on Friday evenings. Not a hugely convenient time but more than doable.

I dont know if they have auto-belays. I've a feeling they dont.
I've looked into bouldering and actually it's not as scary it seems. I wont be able to climb very high so Im not overly concerned about falling onto a mat. Presumably you get taught how to fall?

All this looking into classes and working out childcare and how it will work without a buddy and I might hate it! 🤣🤣🤣
But even if I spend £55 on the session tomorrow to find that out, I will know and wont be wondering.

You never know if you don't try.

My DDs coach keeps telling me I should try. I did when younger, but for now I'm content watching the teenagers freaky body contortions

Ah I thought it was last night. Really hope you have fun.

I went this morning. My hips still hurt and if I ever doubted that my pelvic floor was screwed... 🙀

They dont have auto-belays and because they couldnt guarantee Id have soneone to spot me he said I could only do the bouldering. Which makes sense.

It's a good workout! Even though I spent half the hour lesson listening/watching I was still out of breath and felt like I'd done something.

I dont know if it's for me though. I'm not sure my brain works in that way. I certainly dont have the strength to do it properly. I was pretty crap but the instructor was so sweet and encouraging.

I always think that you need to try something a few times before deciding so Ive booked another lesson for Wednesday and then I'll decide after that.

Their monthly memberships are reasonable though so if it does "click" after next week then it's doable.

Go you OP. Defo give it a few more goes to get the feel if it's something you'll like long term. It's such a great social sport as resting between climbs is important and conducive to chats. You will be sore starting out, but it's amazing how much you can progress.
I've climbed for years but been out recently due to (not climbing related) injury. Can't wait to get back to it. It's addictive.

I have to say though, it didnt feel all that friendly. 😪

My instructor and the other staff were nice.

There were a few other groups in there. One was a group of men who were doing the hard stuff and taking it very seriously so weren't there to be social.

There was another group who were quite loud and intimidating.

A person in another group caught my eye so I smiled and she just looked me up and down and turned away.

Reflecting on it now, there was no one there by themselves and the instructor did seem to imply that you needed to be in at least pairs. It's over different floors so I guess they dont want soneone hurting themselves with no one on that floor? I'll need to check that because I dont have anyone to do it with.

glad you’re gonna give it another go! If you can find a women’s group to get to, I’d give that a go. Or a general social group if you don’t mind mixed sex. Then once you’ve met a couple of people there, you can arrange to go at a time that suits you.

I’ve not heard anyone say you can’t go bouldering on your own before tho. I see lots of people on their own.

Sorry to hear that people weren’t as friendly as you’d hoped.

Don’t worry about feeling like your brain doesn’t work that way. It’s good to do things that are hard!

Oh, I’m so glad that you tried bouldering OP!

I've been going for a while now, and I’m still pretty rubbish TBH, but I like that I’m trying to push myself rather than competing against anyone else. I usually just do green and yellow routes.

Theres a women’s night where I go, so I might try that at some point by myself. Otherwise, I’d be happy to wear my AirPods and just ignore everyone else anyway.

But if it’s not for you in the end, at least you tried it 🙂.