[Closed] Indoor climbing - should I do it?

Bouldering is the solo version so if there is plenty of unroped climbing it should be easy, though if the taster sessions carry on then there are probably others like you who might want a partner, just don't drop anyone too quick!!

Well you won't get any cardio training out of it so don't compare it to a turbo.

Not entirely true. Perhaps not turbo-style 'push 'til you puke' cardio, but you'll definitely feel yourself working hard. Bouldering is a lot more accessible/affordable than roped climbing. You just turn up, stick on a pair of rock shoes, and half an hour later wonder why various hitherto-unknown parts of your arms and shoulders are hurting like buggery.

It's very good for upper body strength and core. Which are both useful things in mtb. I tend to do it as a complement to bike training, rather than a winter replacement.

You only need one friend so quite suits the unsociable. And that friend is usually some distance either above or below you so you don't even have to talk to them.

If your local place has an autobelay you won't even need them.

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Doesn't substitute riding but compliments it well, a bit of strength and stretching suff. If you don't like riding in the rubbish weather try running, works for me, I actually quite enjoy running in the rubbish winter weather (and also don't have to talk to anyone whilst doing it)

Well you won’t get any cardio training out of it so don’t compare it to a turbo.

Yeah,  I get that. I don't really take exercising particularly seriously. I just go out so that I've done "something" rather than just sitting on my arse. The only reason I mention a turbo is that riding a bike is what I know and I can do that in the solitude of my own garage!!

You can get a second-hand turbo for very little. Normally from people like me who find it intolerably mind-crushing to use one.

Going regularly to a decent bouldering wall is not going to be that cheap, neither will a pair of rock shoes if you get hooked!

Well it's been a long time since I was serious about climbing, but I split my time between the gym for strength, the wall for endurance and technique and fell running for cardio.

Bouldering is, as you suggest, brilliant fun. Far better then the roped vertical indoor stuff to my mind, and much better as a training tool for the outdoors. Yes, your heart will pump for short periods (though less as you become more technically proficient  and able to get your weight on your feet) but it isn't comparable with a cardio workout. But yes  agree it's good for upper body strength and core.

Why wouldn't you do it?  Not got much to lose have you?

Only issue is not having a partner.  This was always an issue for me.  But loads of people are in the same boat so you often get adverts looking for partners etc.

I started going this year with the kids just to see what it was like - it's good fun and extremely accessible as far as just clambering around on the wall goes [equipment costs are pretty low]. To actually progress and get better seems like it would take a decent level of commitment - I guess you could say that about anything, but as a beginner clilmbing I think you'd see very slow progress just dropping in once a week, say, and would need more.

See what you think - it's very humbling if nothing else. There's strength and then there's climbing strength.

A secondhand turbo costs nowt btw if you just want to ride indoors. Setting it up with a training program liek zwift, trainerroad etc is a bit of an outlay, but probably less than you'd put into the climbing wall over a winter.

You'd need to get proficient at ropework if you want to get a partner for leading walls. Dropping your new friend onto a concrete floor is never the best way to 'cement' your partnership. Most leading walls run courses to get you up to speed.

It's great fun and a good workout, what's not to like? Give it a go and see if you take to it. I miss climbing, both in and outdoors.

I've climbed for about 8 years now. As others have stated you'll find all sorts of muscles you didn't know existed, but they get stronger over time, your grip strength will improve too.

Do the taster and give it a go, it will compliment not replace cycling.

Climbing shoes can seem daunting to start with, just rent to begin with then go to a climbing shop and buy something cheap but grippy and that actually fits you without crippling your toes.

I wouldn’t let the age thing bother you too much. I started indoor climbing this year. I’m 55. If you want to do it then do it - it’s fun and challenging. I’m now getting into outdoor ‘trad’ climbing too.

"I feel like I’d enjoy messing about on a climbing wall"

Give it a go, then you'll find out.

Pfft, to the age thing. I was chatting to a retired guy yesterday who's out climbing 5x a week nailing big grades. Youth's wasted on the young. Seriously though, it's a blast. What have you got to lose?

I'd say go for a taster session and give it a try.

I don't really partake but my mate loves it and dragges me along sometimes ... Good fun but I quickly realised how weak my tendons were..I didn't do an introduction course as such but my mates really into it.. Half an hour after him taking me through a warm up and teaching me how to fall properly on a horizontal training wall I just couldn't grip any more so it'll certainly teach you something even if you just do an introduction course..

Yes, it’s great so give it a go, and I think it really compliments MTBing

I’m going to need something to replace nipping out on the bike in an evening, there’s only road riding local to me and I’m not really up for riding country lanes in the dark, too dangerous!

Oddly with good lights and lots of reflective, you're arguably more visible to road users at night than during the day and if you get out after the commuters have cuddled up to their microwave dinners and soap opera lethargy, there's sometimes a sort of zen calm to it all. The wind, rain and cold is less pleasant though...

I used to quite like going to the wall, but these days, running's more my foul weather alternative of choice, though again it's location dependent.

To actually progress and get better seems like it would take a decent level of commitment – I guess you could say that about anything, but as a beginner clilmbing I think you’d see very slow progress just dropping in once a week, say, and would need more.

I'd disagree with at least the first half of that.  I tend to have ADD with hobbies and get bored quickly once the novelty wears off.  Back when I was climbing regularly, what kept me going back week on week was that I could actually see a tangible improvement.  Doing the same routes at the same venues, I'd go one day and find I could reach a hold that I couldn't get hold of on the last visit, or I'd manage to complete a crux move that's been bothering me for a few weeks.  I got a real sense of "wow, I couldn't do that last week" that held my interest.

That said, when the bug did bite I was going three times a week.  Whether the same would have held true if I was going more infrequently, it's hard to say.

As for gear,

1) Don't buy anything until you're happy that you're going to be going regularly.

2) First purchase will probably be shoes and a chalk bag.

3) When buying shoes, go to a proper climbing shop and seek advice.  Try on many pairs.  If the shop assistant tells you "if they don't hurt, they're too big" then go to a different shop (it's fine advice for an experienced climber but as a beginner all it'll do is put you off going).  Shoes may stretch, but a beginner shoe probably not by very much at all.

Just make sure your belay buddy doesn't get distracted (watching a very fit lady climber ) probably a few of to the scariest seconds of my life .

Yeah, do it.  I've no experience of roped climbing but got into bouldering around Easter time after my youngest showed an interest.

As others have said, it's great fun and as social as you want to make it.  I'll go with my daughter or friends some sessions, on my own at other times.  I am quite lucky though as my local climbing wall is really decent with regular resets of problems which keeps it interesting.

I found it took a couple of months for my hands to get used to it though, it puts a massive strain on your finger tendons if you're not used to it and it can take quite a few days to recover.

Be warned though, as you start to improve it can get pretty addictive,  And as for the age thing, I'm 43 and haven't found that a hinderence.

And as for the age thing, I’m 43 and haven’t found that a hinderence

The age thing was more to do with my antisocial outlook rather than my physical ability. I've got the upper body strength of a kitten so I'm pretty ****ed on that front . But that's partially why I think it would be good for me. The idea of going to a gym to do weights doesn't appeal, but clambering around does!

I think I'll do a taster session, with a view to using the bouldering wall in future

you’ll soon realise that upper body strength is less important than you may think, climbing is all about balance and footwork, as you improve you’ll learn to keep your feet below your centre of gravity and your body close to the wall where possible. There’s a couple of decent YouTube channels aimed at beginners / improvers, can’t remember the names tho sorry.

Id recommend going along to your wall this week before the students return,, it’ll be quieter and gives you time to think. Hire comfy shoes and do a little arm stretching to begin with, your forearms will tire quickly if you’ve not climbed before. You’ll see a grading system, usually colour coded, start easy and get better on the same routes, don’t just tick them off and aim for a harder one, there’s fun to be had in polishing your technique and it will pay off.

Enjoy it, I began 15 years ago and still climb weekly, weakly too.

Try running instead? Cheaper and as anti social as you want..

Don't buy your shoes too small.

As for not being an aerobic workout, well generally not but it depends what you do. I fulfilled a long time goal of climbing 100 problems at the Depot on Sunday. Straight off one onto another for the first 48 or so. I was definitely well into zone 2.

Actually I don't have a clue what zone 2 means but I've heard njee and people saying it and it sounded cool.

What has being 39 got to do with it, fm still in the flush of youth.

You don't need to ask us nobbers on here just go do it. I still skateboard, rollerblade, bmx and do calisthenics at 55.

Just this morning had a slackline delivered, can't bloody wait to get it set up.

And for the record, in real life i'm a right miserable c***.