Rock Climbing For Dummies

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Preparation for Rock Climbing?

I am looking to start rock climbing by taking some beginners lessons at Red Point Climbing Centre in Birmingham.

But I want to get myself prepared for the lessons so I can get the best out of them and can excel well?

I know the course is going to teach me a lot, but I feel that I should swot up mentally and prepare myself physically before going.

I am aware that being physically fit will play a great role and I am working on my level of general fitness in line with this. But what kind of exercises could I do at home and out and about (as I don't have access to a gym) to ensure I am in the best condition for it?

Also, are there certain things I should research, read or investigate before going? I have a very basic knowledge of Rock Climbing and would like to know more. If anyone can suggest a good place to start with study I'd be really appreciative! (If all else fails, I'm sure there is a "Rock Climbing for Dummies" out there somewhere XD)

When climbing, you'll use much more leg strength than upper body strength to actually ascend the wall, but that being said, grip and upper body strength are still key. The best tool that any rock climber can get for training at home is a hangboard.
A hangboard is a wide multi-hold that can usually be mounted over any door and has all different sizes and depths and types of holds to practice doing pull-ups on and dead hangs, just to work your hand strength.

Sure, books are going to be helpful in the sense that acquiring more knowledge about any activity can only help you, but really, your grip will be ONE of the main things that will push you from doing 5.8's and under to 5.9's and above. Not to mention that all the "technique" in the books is really what you'll be paying for lessons to learn. It's no quick process and the longer you do it, the better you'll get and the more fun it'll be.

I'd just do a search for rock climbing terms online and make sure you familiarize yourself with some of the most common terminology used in rock climbing like:
-belay
-caribeaner
-atc
-grigri
-take
-scend
-crimp
-sloper
-pinch
-flagging
-smear
-stemming
-...stuff like that.

If you get a better hand on all the terminology then you can optimize your communication with the instructor and will, therefore, get more time with him because he won't have to take time to explain all of these things you could already know.

Anyway, I hope some of this helps! I'm so excited for you. I hope you love it as much as I do.

My first 2.2 tlt rock crawler, climbing the kids!


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