Carlson Knives: Do Something Different! Indoor Climbing For Beginners, Guide to Getting Started

I have to admit to being a bit of an adrenaline junky, and I do enjoy most activities that get my heart pumping and scare me slightly. Having recently started climbing however, I was a little surprised to find that climbing an indoor wall, gives me the same surge of adrenaline and endorphin rush, that I usually only achieve when snowboarding.

As someone with a lifelong fear of heights, enjoying my first climbing and abseiling session came as total shock. I still suffer from dizzying vertigo, but the fear of scaling a wall seems to have diminished substantially, though it’s by no means gone completely.

Decathlon Beginners Climbing Harness

Me looking like a complete mad-woman trying on climbing gear in Decathlon, Warrington

My first proper go at climbing as an adult was on an adventure holiday in the South of France with Acorn Adventures (read about it here). A couple of weeks later back at home, I booked a taster session at a local climbing centre, The North West Wall in Warrington. Again, I absolutely loved it and made the decision then to take it up as a regular hobby.

Whilst I’m active and a regular gym goer and hiker, I wouldn’t consider myself super fit, and for years, I had regarded climbing as the kind of thing that only lithe, super fit people could do. Rubbish! With my joint condition and dodgy back I’m proof that almost anyone can give it a go, and whilst upper body strength and a good strong grip helps, beginners walls are incredibly forgiving.

So if you’ve never given indoor climbing a try, or you’re fancy picking up a new hobby, I can thoroughly recommend indoor climbing.

Beginners Climbing – Need to know

Climbing Taster Sessions

A taster session is the initial recommended route into indoor climbing. Taster sessions usually include hire of necessary equipment and you’ll have an instructor on hand to quite literally, show you the ropes, and guide you on your way up some easy warm-up walls.

Tip: Book taster sessions and try and couple of different climbing centres and a variety of different walls before committing.

Where to Climb

I was delighted to find a number of different indoor climbing centres within a 25 mile radius / half hour drive away from me, making it accessible and a realistic option as a regular activity. To get started, just do a Google search for “Indoor Climbing Walls” to find options that are local to you.

Give your local centre a call to see what they suggest for you. Some are bouldering only (much lower walls climbed/traversed without ropes) and others require a minimum number of participants to run, so get in touch to find out exactly what’s on offer.

Tip: A simple Google search will show you where your nearest indoor climbing centre is.

Beginners Equipment

After doing some research and looking at what Amazon, Decathlon, Go Outdoors and Snow + Rock had on offer, I opted for the great value climbing range from Simond, available at Decathlon.

When starting any new hobby, I don’t think it makes sense to invest a fortune, as initial enthusiasm can easily wane, leaving you with expensive gear you don’t use. As with snowboarding, the first few times I tried climbing I used hire equipment. After 2 climbing sessions however, I’ve decided that it is something I want to do regularly, and made the decision to invest in my own basic set up.

Simond Beginners climbing gear

The beginners climbing gear I picked up today

I tried a few different harnesses on for fit and comfort and so far I’ve spent under £40, but do still have a belay device, rope and climbing shoes left to buy, which I think will come in at a grand total of about £130.

What I got;

Still on my list to get;

Belay – The Bug by DMM £13.99 has been recommended to me by an experienced climber friend (Thanks Tim!)
Climbing shoes
Rope

Tip: There’s no need to spend a fortune, you can get a beginners climbing set up for around £130.

Climbing Shoes

The shoes I’ve tried on so far have all proved to be much more uncomfortable than I’d expected. I was aware that they tend to be tighter fitting and fairly narrow, but wasn’t expecting them all the rub on the heel, so I’m yet to find a suitable pair for myself.

Make sure then, that you try various different styles on in store, rather than just buying the first thing in your budget online. I’m glad I tried some on in store, as the ones I had decided might be good (based on their entry-level price) I’ve since ruled out as they didn’t provide a good enough fit.

Tip: Don’t buy climbing shoes online unless you have tried that specific model on in store for fit first.

Health Benefits of Climbing

You burn more calories and build up more of a sweat than you might expect when climbing! Climbing uses muscle groups in both the upper and lower body, including your back, abdominal and leg muscles as well as your shoulders and arms. Regular climbing is a great way to improve your stamina and gain muscle strength and flexibility.

I find that climbing puts me in a focused state of ‘flow’ where I’m fully absorbed in what I’m doing. It has a calming effect on me, akin to meditation (despite the adrenaline!) as I focus on what I’m doing, and plan my next move.

See more benefits of indoor climbing here.

Tip: Don’t let a low level of fitness put you off, climbing is something that’s suitable for most and beginners walls are very forgiving.