Rock Gyms

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Learn about Indoor Climbing

Climbing indoors in a rock gym is a great way for beginners or experts to experience the thrill of climbing in a safe environment while getting an incredible full body workout. Rock gyms are also a great place to meet new people and make new friends. Climbers are very supportive of one another and will go out of their way to help newbies learn the ropes.

Indoor Climbing for Beginners

Basic terminology, gear, equipment and safety.

Indoor climbing is very safe, but you need a little training before you can start. Find a gym near you and sign up for their introductory class. Most of these classes include a rental all of the gear you need to get started. At the end of your first class, which is usually an hour long, you take a belay test, which demonstrates that you have the practical knowledge to climb safely. It's easy and it's important.

When you take your introductory class, you will be learning the basics of a climbing style known as top roping. In top roping two people always climb together. One person, called the belayer, holds on to a rope that is tied to your climbing harness. The rope is attached to the top of the wall you are climbing and the other end is held on the ground by your belayer. If you fall, the rope will catch you as long as your belayer is paying attention and taking up the slack as you ascend.

Indoor climbing gyms usually offer 2 types of climbing for beginners: top rope and bouldering. I recommend you start with top rope in order to build up your strength and coordination. Bouldering requires a lot of strength and technique and is really a sport for intermediate and advanced climbing. Top rope is good for beginners because it helps you develop technique and build your strength up.

Most gyms will rent you all the gear you need to climb, but it's much more economical to purchase your own when you get hooked. Here's what you need: a climbing harness, a belay device, a locking carabiner, a chalk bag, climbing shoes. Many gyms have stores where you can buy this gear or you can get it online or from major outdoor retailers.

Indoor Rock Climbing Groups On Meetup.com

Meetup.com is a great way to find groups of people who climb every week, and to make the transition from indoor climbing to outdoor climbing. All of these groups welcome new climbers. They're a great way to find regular climbing partners and make friends at the gym.

Rock Climbing Boston: Monday and Friday night meetups at MetroRock in Everett. Beginners or newcomers to the gym should arrange to have a belay test before we meet.
San Diego Indoor Rock Climbing Meetup: This is an opportunity to do some climbing during the week after the sun goes down. Even if you're a beginner, the indoor gyms provide a safe environment to have some good, clean fun.
The NY Metro Climbing Meetup Group: Our Meetups are always well attended and new faces quickly become regulars - and there's a reason! Everybody has a great time, whether they're experienced climbers or complete beginners. If you're active, you can climb, regardless of age, sex or strength.
Southern California Rock Climbing Meetup Group: Climbing, of course.
Phoenix Indoor Rock Climbing - PIRC: We currently alternate between the following gyms: The Phoenix Rock Gym in Tempe and AZ on the Rocks Gym in Scottsdale. We meet almost every week, on Tuesdays @ AZ Rocks at 8pm, and Thursdays @ Phoenix Rock Gym at 6:30pm.

Injury Prevention for Climbers

Climbing is a very strenuous activity that uses all of the muscles in your body. It's a great workout that burns over 900 calories an hour, but it's easy to injure yourself if you don't take precautions. Here are some guidelines for beginners and experts to help you stay healthy.

1. Focus on developing technique instead of strength.

2. Always warm up with 3 or 4 ascents below your current level.

3. Don't climb more than 3 days a week.

4. Don't climb hard on successive days. Rest improves your performance.

Top Rock Gyms

Here are some of the top rock gyms in the country, but new gyms are springing up everywhere so search the web for a gym near you.

If you want me to add your local rock gym to this list, send me an email.

MetroRock - the Premier Indoor Rock Climbing Center in Boston: MetroRock offers state-of-the-art indoor rock climbing centers that provide a professional, safe, and fun climbing atmosphere that is welcoming to all levels
SolidRock Gym: Three of San Diego's indoor rock climbing gyms.
Touchstone Climbing: San Francisco: Touchstone Climbing is dedicated to creating innovative and exciting indoor rock climbing and fitness centers.
The Spot Bouldering Gym: The Spot is Boulder's newest climbing gym, and the best in the country dedicated to bouldering. Enjoy amazing freestanding boulders up to 18 feet high, with Hueco, Fontainebleau, and Yosemite textures and forms.
Go Vertical Indoor Rock Gym: Philadelphia's only rock climbing gym and the largest of its kind on the East Coast.
The Boston Rock Gym: The Boston Rock Gym remains one of the premier indoor climbing facilities in the country. With over 40 ropes, massively varied climbing terrain, huge dedicated bouldering areas, private and group lessons, clinics, special events, knowledgeable staff, expert guiding services, and a well stocked gear shop.
verticalendeavors.com - St. Paul, MN: Vertical Endeavors is one of the largest indoor rock climbing facilities in the world. With over 18,200 square feet of climbing surface Vertical Endeavors is the place to climb! Over 60 separate ropes provide hundreds of climbing routes. An excellent beginner area is perfect for introducing new climbers to the sport.
Welcome to Vertical Dreams - Manchester, NH: With over 5000 square feet of climbing terrain, we
boast the highest climbing walls around; a con-
verted elevator shaft that stretches four stories-
almost 70 feet! We also have the largest bouldering area around.
Stone Age Climbing Gym - Largest Indoor Rock Climbing Gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Stone Age is New Mexico's largest indoor rock climbing gym! It is also the most fun "work-out" in Albuquerque. The climate-controlled facility features 12,000 square feet of climbing terrain & over 10,000 square feet of floor space. Enjoy bouldering, toprope & lead climbing.
ClimbMax Climbing - Asheville WNC Indoor Outdoor Rock Climbing Center: WNC's premire full service rock climbing facility.
Downtown Asheville, NC
The Circuit Gym - Portland Oregon: The Circuit Gym is one of the largest bouldering gyms in the world.
Rhode Island Rock Gym - Indoor Climbing for Beginners, Experts, and everyone in between. Lincoln, RI Rock Gym: The premier indoor rock climbing gym in Southern NE. Roped climbing, bouldering, retail store, parties, competitions and much more.
Austin Rock Gym - Home: Austin Rock Gym is Austin's only dedicated rock climbing business and offers the most comprehensive climbing lessons and services available.
Houston's Finest Indoor Rock Climbing - Stone Moves - News and Updates: Stone Moves Indoor Rock Climbing is proud to provide Houstonians with the finest indoor rock climbing facilities in South Texas. Our walls are sure to please all rock climbers no matter their physical ability or experience level. We specialize in providing quality routes, a friendly atmosphere and professional instruction for all climbers. Our top of the line climbing holds are continually being rotated and reset by our experienced staff to ensure that each of your visits to the gym is fresh and fun.