How to get started Rock Climbing

Our first Sensi Rock Climbing Ambassador, Aicacia Young, shares her tips on the sport she loves most and how to get involved! 

Have you always wanted to try rock climbing but never really knew how to get started? Follow these 4 steps to get started climbing and find out if this is the best sport for you and your lifestyle.

1. Find a climbing gym or climbing guide service near you

Climbing gyms are a great place to start for beginners. The floors are padded, there are plenty of routes for beginners, and you can rent all the gear you need. The first step in rock climbing, as with any sport or hobby, is just getting started. 

2. Find a friend!

If you already have a friend who climbs, ask if you can tag along next time. Most seasoned climbers love sharing their passion for the sport, so they’ll most likely show you the ropes. If you don’t know anyone who climbs, then spread those social butterfly wings and get to know some people in the climbing community. Join Facebook groups, meetup groups, or climbing gym email lists so you know when events are happening.

3. Get some gear

If you’re getting hooked on climbing, then it might be time to invest in your own gear. All you really need is a pair of climbing shoes and some friends. If you’re psyched on bouldering, then you may want to consider saving up for your own crash pad, which is roughly $200 depending on the brand. If you enjoy climbing on the ropes more, then you might want to save up for a harness ($60) and maybe a rope of your own ($200).  You can buy used shoes and crash pads online, but you probably want to steer clear of used harnesses or ropes, unless they were given to you by a trustworthy friend.

4. Get a gym membership or get outside

The best way to improve as a climber is to keep climbing.  Most major cities have a climbing gym, and many university recreational centers are starting to cater to climbing as well.  If you can, try to join a gym near you or search RockClimbing.com or MountainProject.com for local climbing destinations. You can also pay for private coaching lessons, or join a climbing team for more individualized instruction.

If you’re interested in rock climbing, there’s no time like the present! Find a friend, a climbing gym, or a guide service near you and go experience the sport for yourself. You’ll never know until you try it!

-Aicacia Young