Indoor Rock Climbing - Safety Tips
Updated: Nov 28, 2021
Okay, so you've decided to give Indoor Rock Climbing a try. Before you decide to traverse an indoor rock wall there are a few things you'll need to know in order to make sure your experience is fun and you don't get injured. Here are the 11 important safety tips that will keep you from making mistakes that might get your injured.
Supervision - Make sure you never attempt to climb a rock wall unsupervised. A trained climber should always be with you.
Training - There a few basic principals and techniques of rock wall climbing that you need to know before you actually take that first step onto an indoor rock wall.
Parameters - know your limitations. Don't climb higher than you are comfortable with.. You will end up paying more attention to falling than to what your instructor is telling you.
Equipment - It is imperative that you understand what all of your is equipment is for, how to use it correctly, and what to do in case something goes wrong. The Harness is the most important piece of equipment for the rock climbing beginner. A good quality pair of climbing shoes are also required.
Always listen to your Belayer - In Rock Climbing, a belayer or instructer literally holds your life in their hands. They should be experienced and confident in doing their job.
Some say there is no such thing as "Safe rock Climbing" because there are just too many ways human error can make things happen. A better term might be "management of risk." Injuries to the legs and ankles make up about 40-50 % of indoor climbing accidents says one industry insider who owns a retail rock climbing gym.
Indoor rock climbing is much safer than outdoor rock climbing. Studies indicate that indoor rock climbing has an extremely low risk of sever or fatal injuries. But remember, a fall from 30 0r 40 feet up could definitely cause serious injury even if onto a mat. Many people's perception of rock climbing is skewed by movies like Free Solo where veteran climber Alex Honnold climbs 300 foot vertical rock faces without a harness or rope risking life and limb. That is extremely dangerous and takes years of training, meticulous preparation, not to mention, nerves of steel. For those of us who simply want a great indoor workout that strengthens the entire body and provides a great sense of accomplishment, indoor rock climbing can be a wonderful way to achieve that.
Here is the gear REI says you will need when you go to the indoor wall climbing gym:
Clothing: Wear clothes that offer comfort and mobility (stretch). You want a loose fit, but not so baggy that your clothes get caught on holds or gear. Yoga clothing works well. Wear something you don’t mind getting chalk on, and something that can withstand abrasion from the textured surfaces on walls and climbing holds.
Here is a map to show where Rock Climbing gym are located in your area.