Your Beginner’s guide

Starting Indoor Climbing in 2025

Indoor climbing has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, offering an accessible and thrilling way to build strength, improve flexibility, and challenge your mind. With state-of-the-art climbing gyms and resources available in 2025, there’s never been a better time to start your indoor climbing journey. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

1. What is Indoor Climbing?

Indoor climbing involves scaling artificial walls equipped with holds of various shapes, sizes, and colors. It’s a versatile activity that caters to all skill levels and includes several styles:

Bouldering: Short walls with padded flooring and no ropes.
Top-Roping: Climbers are secured to a rope anchored at the top of the wall.
Lead Climbing: Climbers clip into fixed points as they ascend.

2. Why Start Indoor Climbing?

Indoor climbing offers numerous benefits, making it an ideal sport for beginners:

Safety: Controlled environments and padded floors reduce the risks of outdoor climbing.
Year-Round Access: Climb regardless of weather conditions.
Community: Connect with fellow climbers and make new friends.
Fitness: It’s a full-body workout that builds strength, balance, and endurance.

3. Gear You’ll Need

Starting indoor climbing requires minimal investment in gear. Most gyms rent out equipment, but if you’re ready to invest, here are the essentials:

Climbing Shoes: These provide grip and precision. The Scarpa Veloce is a great beginner option (Buy on Amazon).
Chalk and Chalk Bag: Keeps your hands dry for better grip. Metolius Super Chalk is a popular choice (Buy on Amazon).
Harness: For top-roping or lead climbing, the Black Diamond Momentum Harness is highly recommended (Buy on Amazon).
Belay Device: If you’re belaying a partner, consider the Petzl GriGri+ for its assisted braking feature (Buy on Amazon).

4. Find a Climbing Gym

Modern climbing gyms in 2025 offer much more than walls to climb. Look for gyms with:

Beginner Classes: Many gyms provide lessons to teach basic techniques and safety.
Diverse Routes: A variety of wall angles and difficulty levels.
Community Events: Competitions, meetups, and workshops.
Comfortable Facilities: Locker rooms, lounges, and gear rental.

Use apps like ClimbFinder or Google Maps to locate climbing gyms near you.

5. Learn the Basics

Before you hit the wall, familiarize yourself with essential climbing techniques:

Footwork: Precise foot placement helps conserve energy.
Body Positioning: Use your legs and core to push upwards rather than relying on your arms.
Route Reading: Study the route’s holds before starting to plan your movements.

6. Safety First

Safety is a crucial part of climbing. Keep these tips in mind:

Warm Up and Stretch: Reduce the risk of injury by preparing your body.
Check Your Gear: Ensure your harness, knots, and belay device are properly set up.
Follow Gym Rules: Respect the gym’s guidelines and staff instructions.

7. Join the Climbing Community

Indoor climbing is as much about community as it is about the sport. Build connections by:

Partnering Up: Find a belay partner or join group classes.
Attending Events: Participate in gym-hosted competitions or social nights.
Engaging Online: Follow climbing influencers and join forums to exchange tips.

Final Thoughts

Indoor climbing in 2025 offers an incredible opportunity to challenge yourself, stay fit, and make new friends. Start with the basics, invest in essential gear, and take advantage of the fantastic facilities available today. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the journey to the top—one hold at a time!