5 Challenges Beginner Climbers Face (And How To Deal With Them)
Climbing for the first time is scary. There are so many doubts in your mind and for many beginners, these are strong enough to put them off climbing altogether!
However, as the saying goes, “the best things are on the other side of fear,” and this couldn’t be more true than with bouldering!
Having helped a countless number of beginner climbers tackle the wall, we want to help you make it to that other side! Read on as we outline the top 5 challenges beginners face along with solutions to overcome them.
1. “I’m scared of heights / falling”
This is one of the biggest challenges that beginner climbers face and to tell you the truth, it’s completely natural. We’re hard-wired for self-preservation and we know that falling from a high place isn’t a good thing. However, this fear is something you can work on step by step and it starts with learning how to climb safely.
To help you with this, we created the Basics of Bouldering class – a class that teaches first-timers and those with little or no climbing experience how to start bouldering, how to fall (very important!) and how to follow standard safety drills. Having this knowledge up your sleeve will help you to build up your confidence and show that there’s really nothing to fear.
2. “I don’t know where to start”
Where do I put my hands? Where do I put my feet? Is everyone watching me as I look like a complete klutz?! The thought of going climbing for the first time and looking like a complete noob may seem daunting, but it doesn’t need to be as we’re here to help you get to a good start.
Our instructors are always nearby and happy to provide help or advice on beta (aka information about a specific climb). We even conduct Boulder with Us (Fundamentals through to Intermediate) classes which enable you to explore and work through new routes with our instructors. Take a few of these and you’ll be offering beta to others in no time!
3. “I’m not fit enough to climb”
The pros make climbing look easy. Able to race up and hang onto the wall for superhuman periods of time, it’s not uncommon to think that they were born with fingers of steel. This however, couldn’t be further from the truth. Strength is something that you develop over time and if you don’t have it, you can start today.
We offer specialised HIIT for Bouldering classes. HIIT stands for “High Intensity Interval Training” and is a training technique which involves quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. These classes consist of no more than 6 people and will give you an intensive full body workout specifically designed for bouldering.
4. “I don’t want to do this alone”
We feel more comfortable starting new activities with other people and rock climbing is no exception. However, the unique thing about climbing is that going solo can be one of the best things that you can do.
The rock-climbing community is renowned for being friendly, supportive and inclusive. Drop by with either an entry or class pass and you’re bound to meet someone new. And if you don’t, don’t be dismayed. Climbing alone can be somewhat meditative. With no one to talk to, you can easily forget all the worries in the world and just focus on what’s important: climbing.
5. “I’m too busy with work”
We get it. You work long hours. You have other commitments. And it’s a pain to commute from home to work and back, then travel somewhere really far away just to climb. But that’s exactly why we set up Boulder Movement right in the CBD!
Located at OUE Downtown Gallery, we make climbing accessible and convenient for office workers. Simply drop by straight after work (we’re open till 10:30 pm on weekdays). Or if you’re of the adventurous sort, come for a climb during your lunch break!
Ok, so that’s enough talk – it’s time to actually overcome these challenges and start climbing! To help you just that little bit more, we’re offering 1-week trials for $45 and 2 weeks for $65 (U.P $88). So why wait?
