Rock Climbing gear reviews, indoor gym listing, training information, news of significant ascents and profiles of up and coming personalities in the community.

Climbing Indoors

Do you want to climb better, have a great time and meet climbing partners?
Go to a climbing gym!

Why climb at a climbing gym?
SSG. jake kessler
• Climbing at a gym gives you an experience that is very similar to moving on real rock in a more controlled setting.

• Objective hazards, such as rock fall, storms, snakes and old, faulty fixed anchors are removed.

• Initial cash outlay is reduced since all equipment is either included with the cost of the climbing session or may be rented from the gym.

• Environmental control (Air conditioning or heating) is optimized in every season.

• Maximal time spent climbing with a minimum of time spent in transportation and set up of equipment.

• No time lost if weather changes.

• Climbing instruction usually available at minimal cost.

• Possible to climb day or night.

• All levels of difficulty possible in one location.

• Supportive social scene.

• Easy to meet climbing partners.

• Bouldering, top roping and lead climbing usually available in one facility.

• Technical advancement is usually hastened at a climbing gym.

What gear do I need for indoor climbing?

Climbing shoes. Gym shoes should be comfortable enough to wear for more than an hour without needing to take them off. Preferences vary widely in regard to wearing lace ups or climbing slippers at gyms. If most of your time will be spent bouldering, consider a climbing slipper over a lace up. Boulderers usually spend more time on the ground than roped climbers and enjoy the ease of getting slippers off between attempts.

Chalk bag or Calk bucket / pot. Gym climbers are voracious consumers of chalk who need to buy mineral rights and respirators. Keep a supply of chalk in your gym bag so that you don’t run out. Several varieties exist - block, powder and chalk balls.

Harness. All types of harnesses are seen in climbing gyms. The purchase of climbing harness should be based on what you will use it for in the outdoors.

Belay device. Any belay device that one feels comfortable with using is just right for gym use. Petzl’s Grigri is almost required for the serious gym rat. It is the master of top rope climbing and is the handiest tool for holding partners who do a lot of hanging.

Locking Carabiner. A necessity for giving belays. Consider purchasing a pear shaped auto locking ‘biner.

Climbing clothes. At a climbing gym, even more so than at most crags, it is worthwhile to wear clothing for the sport. Why? A climbing gym is usually more demanding of flexibility and unique movements than most cliffs. Climbing specific clothes will provide you with the qualities that are needed for maximum performance and are built to last with a sharp look that suits the sport.

Check out our extensive list of Climbing Gyms in the USA.

Want to build your own home climbing gym? Download the free do it yourself PDF: HowtoBuildaHomeBoulderingWall.pdf