Rock climbing is one of the many sports that seem unapproachable to beginners and newbies due to prevailing misconceptions and lack of proper training methodology. When asked about their journey, most of the rock-climbing experts say they did not know where to start. Due to insufficient knowledge, they began their rock-climbing journey using the hit and trial method to find out what works and what doesn’t. Luckily, things are slightly easier for rock-climbing newbies now. They do know where to start from and what approach to follow.
TSo, the main question here is whether as a beginner, do you need a climbing gym to start rock climbing or not? Preferably yes, you do. If you want to learn how to climb and build some climbing strength then joining an interactive climbing gym is the best way to go. Most gyms have regular climbing training sessions led by experienced coaches and the obstacles are built according to the gradation developed by climbers over the years. Moreover, the safety precautions in place are way better than what you can manage outdoors.
Here is why you should consider joining an indoor climbing gym:
Variety of Obstacles
Climbing gyms are designed solely for the purpose of helping rock climbers get better. They have a variety of obstacles in place that replicate outdoor climbing experiences by using artificial walls. However, unlike outdoor routes, the handholds and footholds on the obstacles are color coded according to their type. They also come with difficulty markings that help climbers determine whether it is wise to jump on to the particular hold or not.
Apart from this, indoor climbing gyms have obstacles for every type of rock-climbing obstacles. For those who don’t know, rock-climbing is divided into three disciplines. These are:
- Bouldering
- Top roping
- Lead climbing
Each requires a certain set of expertise. If you are new to climbing, an indoor climbing gym with proper equipment and obstacles will help you determine what type of rock-climbing discipline interests you the most.
Helps you take a proper course of action
As a beginner, if you start climbing outdoors before receiving proper training at an indoor gym, there is a high chance you will mess up your technique. This is more common than you think. Amateur or new climbers are too enthusiastic to start rock-climbing on famous rock faces and most of them do so without prior training. Since climbing is a skill sport and muscle memory is pivotal when it comes to the way you climb, it is very hard to let go of the bad habits a climber develops in his/her initial days.
In contrast to this, at an indoor gym, you take a proper course of action. You start from a relatively easy grade and work your way up. This way, instead of trying to work your way out of difficult holds, you have time to think your way through the course and develop the right technique. Finger and foot placement is extremely important in climbing. When you are not trying to conquer higher-grade rock faces, you have time to focus on what is important.
Safety
Indoor climbing gyms have extensive safety precautions in place from harnesses to crash pads and top ropes. According to a study published in the ‘Wilderness and Environmental Medicine’ journal, in the past five years, only 30 injuries occurred at an indoor climbing gym in Stuttgart, Germany. This translates into 0.02 injuries per 1,000 climbing hours which is lower than what was observed for surfers and skiers. Moreover, all the injuries were minor and non-fatal.
One of the researchers, Dr Volker Schoffl who is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery, said,
“Indoor climbing is a very safe sport. It’s a sport that we can have all ages of people perform together, kids and grandpas can go do the sport together. It is safer than badminton and other indoor sports, and also much safer than contact sports.”
Outdoor rock climbing, on the other hand, is a completely different story. Another researcher, Dr Jonathan Chang, a clinical associate professor of orthopedic surgery, detailed,
“When you’re dealing with Mother Nature, everything is unpredictable.”
Hence, in terms of safety, for newbies, indoor gyms are the best place to learn climbing.
Proper Training Equipment
Apart from helping you get hands-on climbing experience; indoor gyms are loaded with training equipment that can help you up to your climbing game. One of the most useful equipment that you will find at all indoor gyms is a hangboard, a.k.a., fingerboard.
With the help of the available equipment and tools, you will be able to isolate different groups of muscles and train them from a rock-climbing perspective. For example, a hangboard is a great way to train your fingers and wrist. It helps in developing wrist and handgrip strength. There are many different types of hangboards, most climbing gyms, in order to cater to a wider group of climbers, are equipped with all the types of hangboards.
When used in combination with other tools and regular climbing, you can improve your climbing endurance, your flexibility and overall form.
These gyms also have the equipment to help you warm up before you start your training. Moreover, you will be supervised by a trainer at all times which will help you develop the right form and technique.
Conclusion
As appealing as those outdoor rock faces seem, it is not wise to start climbing them before you have gotten basic climbing training. If you want to prevent grave injuries and want to develop a proper technique to boost your climbing career, joining a climbing gym is the best way to do so. In addition to this, another bonus of a climbing gym is that you will become a part of a climbing community. You can work your way to higher grades with other amateur climbers like yourself and get advice from avid climbers in the group. Moreover, most climbing gyms plan monthly or bi-weekly outdoor climbing trips. So, you will get to experience that as well, along with proper training.
