What to Expect at an Indoor Climbing Wall

So you’ve done a search for Climbing Walls Near Me and booked your first session, what can you expect on the day?!

The Induction Briefing

Most climbing walls hold a safety briefing before you can start climbing. These are usually just 15 minutes long and cover the essential safety aspects of climbing and how to use your equipment. At the end of the briefing the staff will ask for a show of hands to see if everyone is happy to climb before handing out the hire of shoes and harnesses.

Hiring Shoes and a Harness

You can hire climbing shoes at the desk for a few pounds. The harness will be fitted for you and checked before you go up to the wall.

Reading the Colour-Coded Routes

Climbing walls all use colour coded routes, which indicate how difficult a climb is. However, the grading systems used across the UK can vary from gym to gym, so be sure to ask your wall staff which coloured holds are for complete newbies! See also Climbing Wall Near Me.

Bouldering Versus Roped Climbing

Bouldering on the other hand is done on shorter walls, without a rope and with thick crash mats on the floor to catch you if you fall. Roped climbing is higher up and requires a partner to manage the rope for you while you are climbing.

Basic Wall Etiquette

Don’t climb off and rest half way up if there are people waiting behind you. Tell your belayer that you are ready for them to climb on before you start to move off. Also avoid climbing under someone else who is on the wall.

What to Wear and Bring

You will be climbing in comfortable clothing and this should be loose fitting but not so baggy that they get in the way. We recommend you bring a bottle of water with you as the sessions last for an hour or so and can be a good workout.

A first visit to an indoor wall is usually much easier than you think and staff at most walls are keen to help new climbers, including complete beginners, to get started.