Rock Climbing

I signed up for Rock Climbing expecting a straightforward fitness class. What I found was a technical discipline that demands real skill development. The dynos I was shown in week one is still something I'm refining now, 16 months later. V-grades gave me a framework for understanding why things work…

Around the 9-month mark in Rock Climbing I hit a wall. My progress with heel hooks wasn't improving and I felt like I was spinning wheels. It's apparently common but that didn't make it less frustrating. What helped: going back to fundamentals with my coach, spending more time drilling V-grades slo…

I'd been training Rock Climbing for two years when I picked up an injury that kept me out for four months. Coming back was harder mentally than physically. My dynos had regressed and redpoint I'd taken for granted needed rebuilding. the outdoor climbing community was what brought me back to myself …

I started Rock Climbing six months ago with zero background in the sport. The first few weeks were humbling — I couldn't do dynos properly and had no idea what bouldering even meant. My coach kept pulling me back to fundamentals, which was frustrating at the time but clearly the right call. By mont…

After 11 months of Rock Climbing I want to share what I wished I'd known at the start. First: fear of heights even indoors at first — it hits earlier and harder than the internet suggests. Budget for it practically and mentally. Second: the crash pad for bouldering you buy first will probably be wr…

I've been competing in Rock Climbing for three years now, training five days a week. I want to give an honest picture of what the competitive path looks like. The technical demands compound. mantling at beginner level and at competition level are almost different skills. Understanding V-grades deep…

After 8 months of training Rock Climbing I entered my first competition. I lost. It was the best thing that's happened to my development in the sport. Competition exposes gaps in your game that rolling or drilling never will. My heel hooks fell apart under pressure. My understanding of sport climbi…

When I started Rock Climbing I had no idea what to buy. I over-researched, bought the wrong things, and wasted money. Here's what I've learned: start with basic crash pad for bouldering. Don't spend serious money until you know you're committed and until a coach has watched you move. The premium ve…

A friend dragged me to a Rock Climbing trial class. I went to be polite. I was terrible. I went back because I couldn't stand being terrible at something. That was 6 months ago. The footwork precision I stumbled through in that first class is now something I teach to newer beginners. French sport g…

I've done gym, running clubs, and team sports. The Rock Climbing community is different. There's something about shared struggle around dynos and trad climbing that creates a genuine bond. People at my gym remember everyone's name. Higher belts and better athletes make time for beginners. sending a…