In the first part, we saw how to select a proper climbing gym and how it helps you achieve your goal of climbing. The first preparatory step was a key to defining your passion for rock climbing.
Now, we will proceed to the actual second big step on visiting the climbing gym. The wanna-be-climbers or mountaineers would be eager to take their first lesson already. You are just one step to become a proper mountaineer.
We know that you will have to sharpen your skills, and you cannot make any mistakes here. Thus, you will need to plan and prepare to start the lessons. So, it’s time you make your way to the climbing gym.
The Day Before Preparation
Becoming mentally ready for the first day is vital because it will inspire you even in the toughest times. If you are opting for training indoors or outdoors, you will have to get ready mentally. There cannot be any shortcomings in this aspect.
If you have already been training for physical fitness all these years, it is not difficult for you to get into the mood. You will know that the basics will have to be there. A gym bag will be a hack not everyone will suggest, but it is nevertheless essential.
What other things will be necessary?
A pair of Climbing Shoes
You will need perfectly fitting shoes with lace or Velcro. It should come with traction in the sole to ensure the foot does not feel slippery in sweat. They should not cause any sweat or pain whatsoever. Also, each pair should give you one of the prime comforts or the best sensitivity. Check out the best pair of shoes after reading the reviews from The Climbing Gear.
We recommend checking out Evolv Supra pair of shoes. It is the best and the most fundamentally right pair. It can help in crack and pocket climbing and ideal for advanced climbing activities.
You will find that asymmetric design will help in distributing the weight evenly. The product also offers superior muscle grip and can help you as you keep your toes positioned inside crevices.
Next in our recommendation is Evolv Nexxo, which gets high votes for its comfort and edging abilities. The TRAX XT rubber is helpful in slippery slopes too.
Harness
You will also need to pack in a harness. As a first-timer, you may not know what a harness is for and how it can help too. You will know by now that The Climbing Gear has some of the best and the top-rated harnesses on offer. This will be a necessity when you are going to the edge or going to climb. Look for the harnesses that offer chalk bag slots and other pockets. The chalk bag will hold the chalk to rub in your fingers and give you greater grip as you hold on to boulders and rocky edges.
Get the Full Orientation
It is a great idea to warm up before visiting the gym a day or two before the actual first day. There are climbing gyms offering you a thorough orientation program. They will show you around the place, show the Yoga studio, and run or cardio and weights. They will also give you the rules and even present you with the balanced diet plans and the details to help you understand the goals you need to set.
The Simplest Thumb Rules to Note on the First Day
Assuming you have little to no idea about climbing, remember there is a lot to climbing than just a simple desire to scale. You will need to chalk out the goals and chart a plan. Understand the need to take your fitness more seriously simply. Technique and agility are more important than you have ever known!
You should simply hold on to the wall and do it with your hand and legs while not using all the body energy. Go for tightening the core muscles while also lifting the weights. This is sure to give your ligaments and limb muscles the most vital strength.
Pick your Choice of Climbing – Bouldering vs. Top Roping
Bouldering: This technique requires you to crawl or creep on the surface gracefully to reach as high as 20 feet. There is no need to get harnesses or even ropes or other important aids in this case. All the small climbing gyms usually train you in this process because it does not require a lot of space and can even train many people at a time.
Top Roping: Top roping happens on higher walls above 40 feet or more. You can do it in pairs and need to learn to use harnesses here. This is where you fasten the harness on an overhead cliff or, in the case of a gym, on an anchor. There is a belayer to save you from a fall, and he takes care of holding the rope. This belayer is ideally certified, and he or she will be an expert to lead or even motivate you through the climbing.
Know the Language
Communication is vital, and you need to familiarize the terms you will need to have when doing rock climbing with the belayer. It makes sense to use a few commands like “Belayer on” and many such. This will help you in taking the climbing hassle-free. As you practice in the gym on the first day, you will observe other commands like Up Rope or Shack. There are scores of such interesting words that only a climber will shout out to each other. You will learn these as you go for the next days of the class and progress.
This brings us to the next article, where you will learn the importance of having partners while climbing to make the experience more successful.
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