In the last few years, climbing, in particular bouldering, has become a popular sport and hobby, with climbing centres opening up, up and down the country. But what is it?

Bouldering involves climbing up short 4-meter walls without ropes and can be done in climbing centres or outside for those who are a bit more advanced. It's a great hobby to start, as it requires little gear, builds strength quickly and is accessible in most climbing gyms. It is also for people of all ages and all abilities, which makes it perfect for anyone, especially as most gyms have walls ranging from beginners to very advanced. 

So now you have a basic understanding of what bouldering is and why you should start, you might be asking yourself, ‘What gear do I need? What are some basic techniques? What key knowledge should you know about climbing?’

This blog acts as a guide for any beginners who would like to start bouldering but want a bit more information.

Essential gear

There is some essential gear that every climber needs when they first start their journey.

Climbing shoes- A pair of specialised climbing shoes is essential for any climber, as their tight yet supportive fit helps to be accurate when placing fit on smaller holds and will help in the future with more advanced climbing techniques such as heel and toe hooks. When you first start, most climbing gyms offer rental shoes, which can be rented for around £4 to £5. This is the best option for new beginners, as the most basic climbing shoe can cost around £60 to £80, which is a large commitment to make at first. 

Chalk- Chalk is one of the most essential pieces of equipment for climbing, as it not only dries the hands out, making it easier to hold onto holds, but it also protects the skin from becoming sore as quickly as holds can be on hands. 

Clothing- When you're climbing, you need to make sure that you are wearing something that is both comfortable and flexible. It's important to avoid overly loose items that could get caught on holds and avoid injury, so yoga sports bras and leggings are perfect.

Understanding bouldering grades and techniques

Bouldering grades range from V0 to V9 in most gyms in the UK. Most beginners climb grades V0 to V2 when they first begin, as it takes time to get used to holds, techniques and the heights involved with climbing. It may take time to progress through the grades, but it's important to concentrate on climbing technique and challenging yourself to avoid discouragement.

There are techniques that are significant to learn in your first few months of climbing, and these include:

Handhold basics:

• Crimps
• Slopers
• Jugs
• Pinches
• Pockets

Movement basics:

• Matching hands/feet
• Dynamic vs static movement
• Heel hook starts
• Pistol squats

How to fall safely:

• Controlled landings
• Rolling onto your back
• Climbing down from the top

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Relying too much on upper-body strength
• Rushing into hard problems
• Not resting often enough
• Loose shoes- climbing shoes should be very tight