Climbing sports (1)

Climbing builds strength, technique and problem solving: every route is a puzzle you solve with your feet, hands and body position. A climbing coach teaches both bouldering on a low wall without a rope and rope climbing, where you need a belayer, knots and agreed commands.

A beginner at a climbing wall usually starts with bouldering or top-rope climbing, where a fall is safe and controlled. The coach explains footwork, keeping your centre of gravity and saving strength, because the arms tire quickly in the first sessions. Many gyms run separate groups for children, and adults often also take a belay course.

Before you choose, find out whether sessions are held indoors or outdoors, whether climbing shoes and a harness can be rented, whether the gym entry is included in the price and whether after the course you can climb on a rope on your own. Also ask whether the coach works with competition climbers or mainly with hobby climbers.