When you’re new to an area or simply new to the sport, it’s easy to feel a bit isolated. You don’t have a crew to climb with or to inspire you to push harder.
You will want to find the best outdoor climbing spots—not the ones that everyone knows about, but the hidden local favorites. And every climber goes through plateaus where some friendly advice could really help out.
A good climbing gym will remedy that situation. While all gyms can help you practice your skills, it takes the right kind of gym to foster a climbing community that really benefits newcomers. According to an article in Athletic Business magazine, “a climbing gym stay is around three hours because of the social aspect…these gyms are becoming community centers.” Those three hours aren’t just spent climbing, gym members are socializing, watching other climbers, and relaxing together after tough climbs.
When you join a gym that’s right for you, you’ll find a place in the local climbing community and have access to a lot of great information that you wouldn’t be able to get on your own. You’ll start to realize the social benefits that go along with the physical aspects of climbing.
Competition (Not Condescension)
What you want in a climbing gym are fellow climbers who will inspire you, not put you down. Just like walking into a regular gym and being stared down by a bunch of muscular guys, a climbing gym can have an intimidating vibe that turns off beginning climbers. The best gyms foster an atmosphere of gentle challenge, where experienced climbers give tips to novices and everyone feels welcome.
One of the great aspects of climbing in a gym is getting to watch climbers of all levels tackle new routes. There’s a lot that you can learn by practicing, but when you’re stuck, it can be invaluable to watch how a more experienced climber moves through a crux. There will also be tough days and failures, and it’s great to have a supportive crowd around you at the gym to keep you motivated.
A True Community Hub
When a climbing gym has a true community, it becomes an information hub for climbing in that area. You’ll learn about those awesome lesser-known climbing spots not just from a bulletin board but from chatting with fellow climbers. Regular gym members might hang out after hours with the staff, and the gym will host special events like movie screenings and outdoor excursions to boost the sense of community. Camps and youth programs will bring in the energy of a younger crowd. Your gym might also offer other fitness opportunities like yoga classes.
When you find the right gym in your area, you’ll start to feel at home in your local climbing community. Your fellow climbers will become part of your social network, and it’s likely that your climbing skills will improve with the support of a strong local climbing scene. If you want to venture out of the gym and climb outdoors, odds are you’ll have a built-in crew from your gym that you can explore the area with. Before long, you’ll be the one giving tips to newcomers at your gym and sharing your favorite local climbing tips.
At Sportrock Climbing Centers in Virginia, we strive to be the kind of gym where anyone from novice to expert can feel included, and where your climbing experience is enhanced not only by the routes on our walls but by the climbers you’ll meet here. Contact us today for more information about our locations, memberships, classes, and more.
For the local scene around the DMV, check out our blog Rock Climbing in D.C: Where to Go.