If you are planning to visit the indoor rock climbing gym for the first time, here is what you should know.

Though it may seem intimidating at first, our trained professionals will guide you through the skills so that you can enjoy the excitement, exhilaration and the great workout that indoor rock climbing provides. Our climbing center has walls for beginners and climbers of all levels and features bouldering (climbing without the ropes along the lower sections of wall) as well as auto belays and ropes to get you climbing to the top!

Learning Process for Climbing Gym Beginners

instructor showing how to use indoor rock climbing

As you get into climbing, the most important thing is to learn about the safety gear and its use.  From there, learning movement techniques and climbing etiquette will have you well on your way to being a rock-climbing star!

Vertically Inclined Rock Gym offers 3-hour introductory climbing courses along with 10-week semester programs that will take you to the next level of climbing.  Here is what you will learn as you start indoor rock climbing:

Essential Gear:  For those starting out, all the required gear will be provided by the climbing club.  The basic climbing gear includes climbing shoes, a harness, a belay device and a chalkbag.

Belaying Basics: Belaying is a safety technique which uses a rope system to allow a person on the ground to catch a climber in the case of a fall. Basic belaying can be learned in a drop-in Climbing Adventure session while further information on how to use various belay devices and how to tie-in to the climber’s end of the rope are covered in Getting Into It Climbing Fundamentals courses. Other important aspects of belaying include learning how to maintain tension on the rope and how to communicate with the climber.

Proper Climbing Techniques: For beginners looking to improve their climbing, mastering movement techniques is vital. Important climbing techniques include understanding the various hand holds and grips, precise footwork, using your shoe edges effectively and adjusting your body positioning and balance to stay in control.  Learning these techniques will improve your rock climbing efficiency and allow you to progress from easier to harder routes.

Etiquette and Respect:

These go a long way to making everyone’s climbing time enjoyable.  While using the rock wall, participants should avoid climbing or walking underneath climbers already on the wall.  Using proper communication and safety checks are also important in the Gym.  All participants receive an orientation to the climbing facility which includes information on the guidelines for climbers.

Visit our kid and adult friendly climbing gym designed for climbers of all levels to find the climbing program or experience that is right for you!