My brother is into climbing, looking to buy him some affordable pants for xmas because he complaints about climbing in shorts all the time. Not totally sure where to start but other recs I’ve seen are $50+, im looking for something under $50. Just something comfortable for movement and will protect his knees.

I was pulling super hard on a right heel hook to top a boulder a month ago. I managed to top the boulder but got a super strong cramp in my right calf that i had to stretch out while hanging on the top hold before dropping down. Ever since then the part of the hamstring that connects to the back of the knee feels "weak" in a way. It doesn't hurt, it's just uncomfortable, and i didn't feel anything pop when it happened. I can only feel the injury when the hamstring activates in any way, especially when climbing overhang.

I've never experienced something like this and i would love some input about how to proceed. I'm guessing it's a small strain on the tendon that connects behind the knee. Is the procedure the same as with any tendon injury? Just keep loading as long as it doesn't hurt to increase blood flow to the area? Up until now i've just tried to avoid putting strain on it at all to see if it goes away, but it doesn't seem like it has helped.

Thanks.

I started climbing about a month ago, and was wondering what a good stepping stone for a performance climbing shoe would be. I exclusively boulder indoors. I looked at the La Sportiva Theory, and the Solution Comp. I also saw people recommending the Skwamas, and Scarpa Dragos. I just want a good all around shoe that will do everything well. Thanks!

A quick question on here to see if there's any recommendations for a bag to carry my current kit to and from a climbing session in - it only needs to be able to carry a chalk bag, shoes, auto belay harness and spare top/tracksuit trousers, and maybe space for a drinks bottle too? I've seen the Moon Boulder Bag and Petzl Bug Backpacks, as noted there's no need for space for ropes, if the bag can be worn as a backpack that would be handy as on a decent weather day it's not a bad bicycle ride to the nearest climbing centre so wearing it on the ride, or having that option as well as carrying it on the shoulder, would be handy.

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys!

I'm going to start exploring bouldering gyms nearby (I'm very lonely!), in North West Sydney (Hills-Macquarie type region, so if anyone has gym recommendations lmk!)

I'm going for my first session today at a random gym near me, but I noticed all of the gyms in my area are open between ~midday or 3pm and close at ~10pm-midnight! Why on earth is that!? I want to get up and go!

(Also if you guys have any advice for new climbers, I haven't been inside a gym since high school but I loved it so much)

Hello, I'm a newbie who's trying to get into indoor bouldering. There's just a few things that's been on my mind, and was hoping someone who had a similar experience can help out.

To start off with I'm a female who's on the plus-size side of things. I've been going to the gym for about 3 months now and have built up my strength and endurance little by little. I've been looking for a hobby that could keep me active and as far as I've research, bouldering is something that I really want to get into.

However, the biggest set back that I've been thinking is my not-so-great overall body strength. I know bouldering would need this as an essential, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?

I'm actually considering this to be something I'd like to do in the long run and am thinking of getting some lessons soon. So any thoughts and tips will surely be appreciated in the comments!!

PS. I'm building up my confidence into making this a proper hobby, so please be kind 😺 Thank you!

My 18 year old likes to climb occasionally indoor at the community center. Can someone recommend a hangboard he can work on his strength? Especially black Friday. What material is best? I see lots of wood ones.

Hey everyone! I just started a website that provides fast and detailed gym information that is important as a climber when you are looking to check out a gym. Gym information like do they have a weight gym, good parking, community events, etc. I'm brainstorming and organizing some new features for the site that will help climbers search and see useful information that normally isn't easily discoverable in one location online. Anyway, if anyone wants to check it out, I would love to hear some feedback about some features or gym features that would be useful for you!

https://www.flashclimb.com/blog/grand-opening

Hi i´ve just got some new bouldering shoes and it’s one of my first climbing shoes, so after watching some videos people was telling to downgrade their shoes, so I decided to do the same by downgrading them to 0,5 (EU) from my street shoes, and once i receive them i try them and it’s pretty hurting, i haven’t tried them in a gym but i will soon so i would like to know if it’s normal that it’s hurt, thanks

We just started bouldering, but live a good 40 miles from the closest climbing gym. And my husband usually works 10+ hrs 5.5 days a week. So, “climb more” will NOT work for us. We barely can go once a week. So, is there anything besides the basic exercises of sit-ups, pushups, and pull ups? Is there anyone on YouTube we should watch? (we like send edition)

We’re having fun and am making it our weekly date. I’m just happy I can do it after getting long covid/cfs. But I just want to be able to do the same sends as my husband. Before getting sick, I was always stronger than him, so this is really getting to me. I grew up on a real farm, so just had core strength. I lost it all and am trying to get it back.

Hey i've just recently started bouldering and I struggle quite a bit on routes that take a lot of core strength, can I get any recommendations of workouts/exercises or maybe even tips for core strength?

So I’m still using the beginner pair I bought in 2007. (Haven’t been using them until January of this year, after I had to stop in 2008.)

Imagine your most comfortable pair ever and put some sticky tape around the toes, that’s how slippery mine are. (Tarantulas would be SUCH an improvement already. 😉) Ergo: I need some grip! Medium stiffness and a bit of a downturn would be very much appreciated.

Problem: I have weird heels. Looking at them from behind they’re super narrow, while my toes are wide af. But most of all, looking on from the side, I have an enormous air pocket in the back of most of the shoes I’ve tried so far.

One more thing: No laces, please. 🙏

(Let me know if a picture of my foot would help. 🥴)

Hi i’m just wondering if there’s any way to improve finger strength at home ? I’ve been recently doing deadhangs with my fingers on ledges, slowly extending the time i can hang for. Is this effective or am i just wasting my time?

Hey so I recently took a bad fall and sprained my UCL. I really am use to bouldering every couple days and it’s only been like a week and I’m already feeling pretty down that I can’t go climb and get my energy out. I think it’s also hard that my friends obviously still go and I’m missing out on the social aspect too. I really want to get back on the wall as soon as possible and not lose too much strength. Any advice?

Does anyone have any tips for v3 climbers. I can do some v3 but other v3 I can't even get started. Any and all tips will be much appreciated.

Hello!

I wanted to throw out some feelers and see if I can use Approach Shoes for any indoor rock climbing gyms. I know at sender one they said as long as I use close toed it'll be fine but just wanted some suggestions.

Reason: All climbing shoes really eat into my achilles tendon and the skin almost always cuts through.

Possible ones?: Scarpa Gecko LT

Thank you in advanced!

I really enjoy bouldering, like I think about it nonstop and that’s all I want to do. But lately I’ve been trying to go every day and am killing my elbows to the point they throb for days. So I’m taking a step back and trying to find exercise for my days off that help build muscle. What do you guys do? Should I get a bench press with the plates I need, and dumbbells? Anything else? I’ve noticed that my chest hasn’t seen any improvement and that’s what I want to build up quite a bit. I’d also like to find exercises that help with my core outside of climbing. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I would like to get very strong and look very fit as well. (Also just an unrelated side question, I see all the time that people say it’s super easy making friends at the climbing gym but I can’t seem to make any. I keep to myself and climb alone, but I would really like to make some climbing friends to go with and just make some new connections with people who share this interest. How do you guys make friends with the people at your gym?) Thank you!!

Hi all. I started bouldering 2x a week almost a month ago. I'm not a sporty person at all and rarely did any exercise in the last couple of years (so I'm super weak). I'm 25f and struggle a lot with depression and loneliness, and I also have very little discipline. That's why I started bouldering: I thought it'd be fun enough to keep coming to the gym and get some exercise, and I'd also hoped to meet some people/make friends.

Today I went to the bouldering gym again but got discouraged by seeing everyone there come in groups and chat with their friends. I felt like I was the only one who was on their own, and also the only one climbing my super beginner level. Maybe there are some others on their own, but most of those people are super experienced climbers who are in their own zone.

I understand that trying to figure out the same route as others can be a good way to connect, but simply no one is struggling on the beginner levels like I am. I see others trying to work a project together, but I feel like I don't have anything to offer.

Any tips to keep it fun and not feel so alone? :/

edit : wow thank you guys for all the kind words and advice. I'm gonna keep going to the gym and try to socialize with little steps. <3

Hey guys! Went bouldering today for the first time, did pretty bad but had a really good time and was proud of what I did never got last V3 😂

However, my hands were blistering some (which I didn’t mind) but what I did mine and did cause me to have to stop earlier then I wanted, is I had some sort of like skin peeling of blisters on my palm (pics below - this was a few hours after, and I cleaned it 1 kinda have some rough spots there from weight lifting, I think it peeled off?)

Is this a normal type of blister to get while climbing or did I do some stuff wrong? Is is abnormal to wear fingerless gloves or a wrap going forward? Or will time prevent this. Pics here. It was just frustrating bc I wasn’t tired but my skin there was stinging bad. Thanks!

Yo!

I just went bouldering for the second time in my life, and I’ve already fallen in love with the sport. After my first session, I was so hooked that I bought a pair of climbing shoes and decided to try a different gym this time. During my first session, I managed to climb 6a-6b, but this time, I was able to send three 6b+ routes pretty easily. The 6c problems even started to feel like something I could conquer within a week!

In this session, I really focused on improving my technique and footwork rather than just pushing for harder grades.

Would you say climbing 6b+/6c is good for a beginner? Also, what’s the best way to train toward consistently sending 6c-6c+?