A beginners guide to entering the world of climbing
It might feel intimidating and overwhelming to walk into a climbing gym when you have no idea what to do, where to go, or how things work.
Don't be afraid! Foot Swap have got your back 💪🏻
Contents
Introduction
Climbing is a very social activity with a very friendly community. It's a great way to catch up with friends over an activity other than a pint down the pub. Climbing gyms, especially around central London are a top spot for catching up with friends (and doing a bit of climbing).
Which Climbing Gym Should You Visit?
Any climbing gym!
Below are a list of a select few I frequent and recommend, but I have absolutely not tried all gyms in London. My guess is that you can probably try a new gym every week of the year.
By far one of my favourite climbing gyms - the aesthetics, the style, and the friendliest of staff. It is also often relatively quiet. They have a great gym & warm-up space, a varied training area, a little cafe with delicious salads & pizza. In terms of climbing, there are some shorter walls and a really fun competition section too - the routes increase in difficulty based on numbers (starting at 1).
There's also a top-out wall with a slide back down! Beware, it can cause friction burns on your bum. A top-out wall means you climb all the way over the top of the wall (or rock), rather climbing back down the way you went up.
They also hold yoga classes in the studio onsite. What's more is the co-working space and workshop attached at Yonder (see info on their website). The cafe can also be used as a co-working area if you are a digital nomad, or for those working from "home" days.
They have three centres around London - Aldgate, Stratford, and White City. I've only visited City Bouldering Stratford. The vibe is chilled and the space is bright and open. My impression is there are many students and younger people at the Stratford location.
City Bouldering Stratford's main attraction is probably the Kilter board - a type of training wall. This one has an adjustable angle from 0-70 degrees overhang, which makes it perfect for all levels, yes that includes beginners too! They have weekly Kilter sessions where you can meet other climbers and climb together. It's a great way to get social with climbing.
London Climbing Centres are dotted around London and are very inclusive.
BethWall Very much hidden away under a bridge (a specialty of LCC's) in Bethnall Green. A relatively new climbing centre, BethWall remains a quiet gym with a decent amount of space and diversity in the routes and styles. If you are a cyclist, there is a bike rack hidden away at the back of the building where you can feel at ease leaving your bike there whilst you climb.
VauxWall West One of the older bouldering gyms that have been around since before climbing really kicked off (fear not, it was refurbished not too long ago), VauxWall west is very close to Vauxhall tube station. Another under-bridge climbing gym, the walls are relatively short, making it a little less scary to reach the top of the wall, especially for beginners.
There are two short traverse sections - that's where you move horizontally along the wall rather than vertically up, means you're not far from the ground, which is again, great for beginners who may be afraid of heights. Although the centre was extended as part of the renovations, the gym gets a little less packed but is still quite busy during after work hours. Like many LCC gyms, they open till 11pm on weekdays - great for those post-work sessions, or even post-dinner sessions when it might be a little quieter. Not sure if it's still a thing, but previously the milk song would play at around 8 or 9pm when they give out free glasses of milk 🥛
EustonWall At a great central location, EustonWall is very popular with students (particularly those at UCL) and for some post-work stress relief for those working in the area. The gym is quite small and nothing particularly special, but you can easily have a good climbing session here nonetheless. Across the footpath, there is another building with a warm-up area and a small climbing section, which can be slightly quieter.
HarroWall Definitely another one my favourite climbing centres in London, but a little out of the way for most, HarroWall boasts to be London's largest indoor bouldering centre and home to Captain Cut Loose (check him out on Instagram @captaincutloose if you're not familiar). The large open space means you can always find a route to climb without waiting for others.
This gym probably has the most diverse climbing set in London with a great competition set - I'd recommend trying it out if you've been inspired by climbing at the Olympics, a power tunnel if climbing upside down like a spider on the ceiling is your thing, and a section with some shorter walls too, which are perfect for beginners. There is also a great stretching and warm-up space upstairs. This gym is never crowded, they have a lovely team, a little shop with all your climbing needs, and even a cafe with some delicious treats.
HarroWall is also a popular location for kid's birthday parties, but don't worry, they somehow usually go unnoticed and don't disturb the rest of the centre. HarroWall also hold notoriously good competitions and parties, so keep an eye out and follow them on Instagram @HarroWall! (Not sponsored)
Other Bouldering Specific Gyms
Stronghold Not one of my favourites by any means (also expensive), but I've heard a few people like the climbs and like to work remotely from there too.
Rise Cute, cosy, and modest gym. Quite small, which means it can feel busy quickly, but the crowds don't seem to stay long.
Centres With Boulder & Sport Climbing
Westway, Castle, and Mile End have both bouldering and sport climbing (i.e. rope climbing - top rope and lead).
These centres are also popular with young kids top rope climbing and rope climbing courses.
Paraclimbers
For the paraclimbers out there, Westway, Castle, and LCC London are all partners with Paraclimbing London. There are also a few paraclimbers on Instagram, so check them out and get inspired!
Too Much Choice
Honestly, for your first time bouldering, the location isn't the most important criteria, IMO.
If you are a bit shy or timid I'd recommend one of the quieter gyms because you won't get butted out of the way by gym bros and you'll actually get to climb something!
The busyness of the gyms can really determine how satisfied I feel with my climbing sessions. I typically choose which gym I visit based on how much I like the style of climbing routes, busyness, and convenience.
Busyness definitely depends on time of day - if you're able to go in the middle of the day during the week, that'll be the most quiet time. Followed by early mornings on weekends, and likely late night 1-2 hours before closing on weekdays. If that's not possible, and the only convenient time for you is a weekday after work during usual peak hours, I'd recommend places not in central London. My top recommendations, purely based on where I've been are (in no particular order):
Yonder
Harrowall
Arch North (RIP, closed as of 1st September 2024)
VauxWall East
What to Wear to the Climbing Gym
I'd recommend long ultra stretchy trousers or leggings because you're likely to graze your knees and shins, especially as a beginner. If it's hot, shorts are fine, just beware that you may leave looking like you've been rolling around on sandpaper. Leave the baggy tracksuits at home as they can hinder you and obscure the view of foot holds and your feet.
No drop crotches
Cotton is preferable.
Cotton shorts/trousers/leggings - whatever your choice of bottoms - are preferred. Same goes for t-shirts - cotton is preferred. Check out the soft comfortable 100% cotton t-shirts from the Foot Swap shop 😉. This is because synthetic materials, like polyester, tends to snag on the wall and climbing holds.
I'd leave your best gym clothes at home and go for anything first and foremost, stretchy, and secondarily cotton.
What to Bring to the Climbing Gym
Padlock
Bottle of water
Climbing shoes
Chalk
[Tape (for my injured fingers) ]
A snack bar in case hunger strikes and you want to keep climbing
For sport climbing, you want all of the above plus:
Rope
Belay device
Harness
Belay glasses
Optional
Slippers
Belay gloves
How Climbing Gyms Work
Most gyms have an online form you can fill out before you arrive. Many locations have a tablet you can use at the reception if you haven't filled out the form beforehand.
You usually have to watch a safety video beforehand and sign a waiver saying you understand that climbing is dangerous and that you'll follow the safety precautions in place. If you follow the safety rules, IMO climbing is safe. Safer than cycling the streets of London!
Arriving at the Gym
At the reception, ask for a day entry + shoe rental. Make sure you let them know if you are a concession.
Your normal shoe size should be good. Some beginners tend to prefer half or one size larger since they can feel tight and uncomfortable if you're not used to it. This is okay since you'll (hopefully) also be wearing socks. If you want to climb more difficult routes with smaller foot holds, however, you will prefer tight fitting shoes (climbing shoes can have an entire book series written on them, but I'll spare you - for now).
You don't need chalk but almost all climbers use chalk, especially if you have sweaty hands. You can usually buy a small bottle of liquid chalk at the centre to try it out. Or if you're a seasoned crossfitter or weight lifter, you may already have chalk of your own - bring it.
Be sure to warm up before you chalk up.
I will link my typical warm up routine here.
Let's Climb!
Some gyms work on a colour grading system, others use labels on the starting hand holds to indicate the grade.
Just to get a feel for it, I'd start on a VB/Vintro/V0 - whichever naming convention your chosen gym uses. The start holds are usually indicated with tags or labels (see pictures below).
Climbing routes are usually colour-based. i.e. you can only use the holds of the same colour. The way a climbing route works is that you start with both hands on the start holds and both feet off the mat before you progress to the next hand hold. Usually the starting foot holds are any holds below the two starting hand holds. If it's not clear how to start, it doesn't matter, there are no real rules of climbing except to have fun (unless you're a competition climber, but that's maybe future you). You can also watch someone else climb it first and follow their lead or ask for help either from fellow climbers of staff 😌 Sometimes there won't be foot hold(s) to start on so you have to use the wall, but this is not common on beginner routes. Once you're off the floor, look up to the next hold and climb up.
To finish, you should touch the highest hold with both hands steadily before climbing down.
Don't forget, the safest way off the wall is to climb down!
✨ CONGRATULATIONS, you've sent your first climb! 🥳
That's all! Keep climbing, trying new routes and other areas of the gym as they typically offer different styles of climbs, and enjoy yourself 😊
Don't forget to rest between climbs otherwise you'll be pooped before you know it 💩
Additional Tips
If you're feeling confident, feel free to ask fellow climbers for help and advice.
Learn by observation - a great way to learn is by watching other climbers. Especially if they're climbing a route you're stuck on.
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*Coming up is an intro to climbing jargon for beginners 🤸🏻♀️
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