In This Guide
Rock Climbing Sites, Magazines, and General Information
Basics of Rock Climbing: Instruction, Gyms, and Communities
Buying Rock Climbing Equipment
Improving Your Climbing Technique
Where to Climb: Climbing Maps, Tips, and Tricks
Climbing Stories and Interviews with Rock Climbers
Rock Climbing Organizations and Governing Bodies
Rock Climbing: Hit Your Peak Online
Once relegated to the obscure bastion of an extreme sport, rock climbing has become so popular that you'll now find men, women, and children of all ages and levels of fitness at the gym or out on the rock, alongside lithe and limber experts. Advances in equipment, safety, and instruction have opened up the world of climbing to just about anyone. With the help of the Internet, you can begin to learn about, or perfect, your climbing experience right from your own home.
Expand All Guide SectionsRock Climbing Sites, Magazines, and General Information
Climbing is varied and multifaceted, and trying to get an understanding of what it is can be a bit ... read more »
Basics of Rock Climbing: Instruction, Gyms, and Communities
The first thing you'll need to figure out is where to climb. One of the best places to start is ... read more »
Buying Rock Climbing Equipment
Climbing equipment sites make it easier than ever to shop for gear online by collecting different ... read more »
Improving Your Climbing Technique
After mastering the basics, you're bound to start wondering how you can better your climbing. Learn technique from classes at your local rock gym, by climbing with more advanced climbers (watch their moves and ask questions), and read up on technique at the following sites.
Dulcinea's Insight
- When looking for ways to improve your climbing, read about improving your center of gravity and increasing your strength, endurance, and flexibility, but consider psychological aspects too, such as controlling fear, increasing concentration, and understanding what motivates you.
- If you really want to improve as a climber, learn how to honestly assess your weaknesses. You're only as good a climber as your weakest skill. Figure out what it is, and use the sites below to make improvements.
- There's plenty to be learned on the Internet in terms of diagrams, instructions, and tips, but there's no substitute for actual practice. Take advantage of sites that offer training plans you can implement on the rock.
- If you've become really addicted to climbing, you may want to consider building your own climbing wall so you can climb independent of weather or gym fees.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general training techniques ...
Archive of Rock Climbing Moves & Tips
provides a very nice overview of actual moves you will use over and over, including some rudimentary, but nevertheless helpful diagrams of these concepts in action. This is written for a U.K. audience, so gear prices listed on site will need to be converted.
Body Results Rock Climbing Training & Conditioning
is a free, comprehensive training plan to improve your climbing by NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists. The site features a great collection of articles and offers a range of fee-based, personalized Web training programs.
Rock Climbing
's "Free Ascent Log" will help you keep track of all your climbs in one handy place with room for notes. Watch yourself get better as you climb more progressively difficult routes and have fun reading other climber's comments. Register for a new account, then go to "Climbing Log" from the "My Stuff" menu on the left.
Chockstone
offers the kind of tips you'd be most likely to get from other climbers in person. See the "Stupid Mistakes to Avoid" or "How Not to Get Pumped" (flooded by lactic acid, a condition that leads to short-term muscular failure).
For advice on common climbing injuries and staying safe ...
Climbing Injuries
was created to help climbers who suffer from tendonitis, including a description, diagnosis, and treatment plan for shoulder, elbow, and finger pain.
Rock Climbing
has a section of articles devoted to common climbing injuries and conditions, such as tendon pulley injuries and altitude sickness.
Spadout
's "Food for Your Joints" article focuses on the importance of silica in your diet to minimize tendonitis and recommends various herbal remedies.
For advice on how to build a climbing wall ...
Manufacturer Metolius
offers a 10-page PDF on how to build a climbing wall with lumber specs, photos, and route suggestions.
Atomic Holds
sells a variety of holds for climbing walls. There is a nine-page PDF on the site with lumber specs, anchor details, and route settings. It includes photos and makes a nice companion piece to the Metolius guide mentioned above.
Indoor Climbing
provides guidance on planning, design, construction, and finishing.
Chockstone
features a short article with photos on building a wall, but includes several links worth exploring at the bottom of the page.
Where to Climb: Climbing Maps, Tips, and Tricks
Look at a geographical feature map of the United States and it will become apparent that there are ... read more »
Climbing Stories and Interviews with Rock Climbers
Sure, folks are doing things out there on the rock that only contortionists or Olympic athletes ... read more »
Rock Climbing Organizations and Governing Bodies
Regulatory and developmental bodies are a fairly recent phenomenon for the field of climbing, but ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
