Focus on Technique

T-Rex arms don’t make great climbers, and neither will climbing with bent arms! While it’s easy to assume that climbing is all about upper-body strength, it’s not. If you constantly pull yourself into the wall with bent arms, you’ll burn out fast. Instead, aim to keep your arms straight, relax your grip, and let your legs do the heavy lifting. Your legs are much stronger than your arms—use them to drive yourself upward.

Climbing in balance can save a ton of energy. A simple guideline: when you reach for a hold with your right hand, push with your right foot, and vice versa. This coordination creates stability and prevents overexertion.

Precise footwork is critical to becoming a confident climber. If your foot placement is sloppy, you won’t trust your feet, leading to slips or over-gripping with your arms to compensate. To improve your footwork:

• Use the tips of your toes rather than the sides or arches of your feet. This gives you more reach and makes it easier to pivot on holds.
• Always watch your foot as you place it on a hold. This ensures precise placement and helps you confidently drive your weight through even the smallest footholds.

Your hips are the center of your balance and movement on the wall. For each move:

1. Place your foot on the next foothold.
2. Shift your hips so they’re directly over that foot.
3. Then, move your hand to the next hold. Think of the sequence as “feet, hips, hands” and repeat this rhythm as you climb.

Mastering these techniques takes practice and focus—two things that are hard to manage when you’re fatigued. Begin on routes you find easy and focus on perfecting one technique at a time. Over time, these movements will become second nature.

Climb smart, stay balanced, and enjoy the journey!

One of the best ways to build strength, endurance, and confidence is by traversing horizontally across the wall. Focus on using holds in new ways, especially those that challenge you. With time and practice, you’ll notice significant improvements in your climbing skills!

Start by building your confidence on the wall with easy routes and staying close to the ground. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous about trusting your feet or relying too much on your arms. However, climbing with tense arms can tire you out quickly and make it harder to stay calm. Take your time, focus on precise foot placement, relax your grip, and let yourself settle into a natural flow as you climb.

Have Fun!

Climbing isn’t just about reaching the top or chasing higher grades—it’s a creative, fun, and social sport. It’s about solving puzzles, testing your mental and physical limits, and sharing the stoke with awesome people. And remember, not making it to the top just means you’re tackling a challenge—that’s what climbing is all about!