Any climbers here?

[Bennie-Mac]

Do you need ropes and pulleys for that?

More importantly where to you put your nuts?? Or do you have a friend there to belay you?

 

[jp_bl_68]

In my opinion i think it would be worthwhile going there first to get a feel for it, but nothing compares to climbing your first high wall

Thanks Bennie. I think I'll do that.

 

[Liverpool-Lad]

Some helpful techniques on youtube too.

Key if possible is to keep close to the wall, use legs a lot and keep arms reasonably straight.

 

[fire_munki]

Turn up on your todd, we're all pretty friendly (well we are down here in Devon).
If you want to learn I'd do a beginers course so that you'd be happy belaying strangers.

 

[D18241]

If your on your own you can allways go some where and do bouldering. When I started climbing I was struggling on some of the walls the hammered bouldering for like 3 weeks then hammered all the routes I couldn't do before.

 

[jp_bl_68]

If your on your own you can allways go some where and do bouldering.

That's the plan.

What has climbing done for your general fitness levels and upper body strength?

 

[Pinkribbonscars]

Try and find a club, if you find a good one it's the best way of doing indoor and, more importantly, outdoor climbing.

 

[Emlyn_Dewar]

Only advice I would give is just to book up to the begineers course and go for it.

I done this in Edinburgh a few months back now and loved it. Booked up the beginners course myself, went along and you're in a group of people who're in the same boat.
Get chatting to the people on the course and you may end up with someone you can meet up with for a regular climb.

Where do you go in Edinburgh?
I have always thought it would be an interesting thing to look into doing, especially as it gets so many positive comments from folks on here.

 

[semi-pro waster]

Where do you go in Edinburgh?
I have always thought it would be an interesting thing to look into doing, especially as it gets so many positive comments from folks on here.

Alien Rock is or was fairly decent with a large selection of routes, it's in an old church as are quite a few climbing walls.

I've moved the thread as it seems more suited to Sports Arena, there's another thread in here if you search for it or I may merge them at some point later on.

 

[ZG002]

That's the plan.

What has climbing done for your general fitness levels and upper body strength?

That depends on how many days a week you go, I used to go twice a week with my mate a couple years back and it really helped with my upper body strength.
Always remember to warm up properly and take it easy at first. Bouldering is a good way to start if you find a good wall who change up the routes every other week or so, I preferred rope top and was looking into lead climbing but my mate lost interest and it all fizzled out.

Wouldn't mind getting back into it. Would need to buy some new shoes etc though.

It really is great to get into, It's nice nailing a route you have been trying for a couple of days or pulling off that one move that's eluded you for a week.

Enjoy

 

[paddy]

10 years of climbing has generally made me fitter and stronger. Shoulders and forearms especially. I haven't bulked out at all, and aren't particularly toned but what I have got, got very strong

Different climbing types will give you different strengths so mix it up a little - I find it also keeps me interested.

Couple of pointers from my experience:

• Warm-up and take it easy to start
• Work on your feet!
• Have fun

 

[supafly]

I started climbing a few months ago. My upper body strength has increase a lot. I can do routes which seemed impossible when I started. What can I say I love climbing.

 

[Shamrock]

I've recently got into climbing thanks to my mate. Started off by doing some bouldering at the Arch near London Bridge a few times to get into it and build some strength and technique.

Then I went outdoors a few times seconding my mate up climbs. So far I've done some sport climbing at Portland (went on the weekend of that indian summer, was amazing) and been to the Peak District a few times.

Previously I was a skydiver and while that was fun, it was so expensive and weather dependent. Climbing is just as fun and has the bonus of being relatively cheap (once you have purchased the gear), a good workout and not so weather dependent.

I'd say you need to learn how to belay and tie a double figure of 8 knot asap.

 

[Muel]

I've dabbled for about 10 years on and off (biggest gap being about 5 years), recently started again (beginning of October) and improving rapidly, started leading indoors last week which is a lot of fun. Hardest thing I've tried to lead so far was 6A though, and I fell with some considerable style. (10 foot drop before the rope got tight).

I'd say start indoor bouldering, as it seems to be a much easier way to meet people IMO. The whole idea of trying to work a problem out and get it done is a great conversation starter.

 

[Shamrock]

Lots of toned hotties at the bouldering wall too!