How To How to Get Started Indoor Rock Climbing/ Gym climbing
From Scott Brown,Your Guide to Climbing.
Indoor rock climbing is fun, social and a great work out. Climbing gyms are located in most major cities, they are open late at night and warm and dry while the weather is nasty. The gym is a perfect way to learn the basics and a good introduction before you try outdoor rock climbing. Still curious what
Indoor rock climbing is?
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Several Weeks
Here's How:
1.
Find a climbing gym near you. Ask at your local outdoor retail store. They have climbers on staff and they might have an opinion on which gym they prefer if there is more than one in your town. The other way is to look for a listing in the back of Climbing magazine. They have most of the gyms in the U.S. listed by State. (Very helpful if your traveling). And the final and most logical way is to look in your phone book.
2.
Take a class. Gyms offer introductory packages including rentals, day use of the facilities and a several hour class. The classes generally teach how to belay, how to tie in to a harness and movement techniques. Classes are also great to get to know other people at your skill level.
3.
Join the gym. The greatest benefit of joining the gym is that it makes you go. The best way to get better at climbing is through practice and repetition. It is also less expensive.
4.
Be social. The gym is much more enjoyable if you have friends to climb with. Choosing climbing partners at your skill level will greatly increase the quality of your experience.
5.
Hire a trainer. A personal climbing coach will help you develop movement techniques and teach you how to reduce the chance of injuring yourself.
Tips:
- Cross Train. Diversifying the physical activities you do will help you become stronger and reduce the chances of injury
- Warm up. Integrate cardiovascular exercise into the start of your gym workouts to increase blood flow and limber up your muscles
- Don't over do it. Climbing on the ergonomic climbing holds can torque your tendons and muscles. Train in the gym no more than three days a week when learning to climb and stop if it hurts.
What You Need:
- Climbing shoes
- Harness
- Chalk bag
- Belay device and carabineer
- Comfortable workout clothes
More How To's from your Guide To Climbing
http://climbing.about.com/cs/ht.htm
Indoor Climbing Article
Linear Mode
