   So, I'm thinking about Rock Climbing.
  Yeah, Rock Climbing (on the artificial walls, that is. It might have a cooler name).I just found out theres a climbing wall pretty close to where I'm living, so I'm thinking about giving it a go. However, I know nearly nothing about it? Anyone here ever try it? Can someone have fun doing it for the first time?Do I need any equipment or does the location usually provide everything I need?Do I need to be in exceptionally good shape?Lastly, how expensive would it normally be (just to try it out, not to buy all the equipment)?Thanks for any answers ;).   
  Hey mate,Yeah i used to do it, to answer ur questions:- Yes you can have fun doing it, but it's best to go with someone so that you definately have a climbing partner. Someone needs to rope for you, although likely the instructor to begine with you, you will need a partner in the future.- They should provide everything to begin with. The prices can be pretty hefty for kit though.- Dont need to be in good shape, you'll get that over time. The heavier you are compared to strength, the harder it will be ofcourse.- Shouldn't be more than a 5er to get in really.Take care.Dave   ;  I used to got rock climbing a lot on artifical wall, I was hooked after a school trip.When I first started I just rented the equiptment, but the biggest problem for me was I need size 11 shoes, so I was always struggling to rent a pair and I would often have to wear size 9's.  The pro's reccommend this to get better grip but boy, its painful.You can get decent shoes from about £50, also means no one else has worn them.You dont need to be in good shape to have fun, but you'll soon get in good shape.  After 2 hrs, you will be a little tired.  But the next day you will ache like never before, expecially your arms (you use muscles you didn't know you had).To go I used to pay something like £5 - £8 for a 2 hrs session, so about the same as the pictures and far cheaper than going to the pub.ThanksG3mac_uk   ;Quote:Original post by g3mac_uk... and far cheaper than going to the pub.and far healthier too ;);  Woah, I wasn't expecting to get answers this quick :) Thanks for all the great info.Does the 5er number include the equipment rental? If not, is it much more than that?Again, thanks :), I'm really excited about this.   ;  If i remember rightly, at the place i climbed, the rental of equipment was very expensive, i cant remember how much but around 9 quid for the lot.Dave   ;  Right, well, I'll have a look around and see how expensive it is here.Just wanted to say thanks again to both of you :).   ;  Only advice I can give you is to try and use your legs a lot more than your arms! Try getting in the habit of this right off the bat. You'll get less tired that way and when you will definatly need your arms (upside down walls) it'll make it a lot easier.It feels AWESOME when you finally climb a wall you couldn't do before. I mean the whole experience feels awesome. I remember climbing and having my feet slip only to grab onto a rock with one arm... totally Action Hero style ;-)   ;Tips:Try to use one color. As a starter it is fustrating that there are so few routes that are easy enough. Try to use one color though. Your climbing thechnics will improve faster, and you will be motivated by the levels of the routes.If you want to try routes that lean over, you probably have to start with all colors. This is good for training on power.use climbing shoes. If you have never climbed before you will start on a level on which they aren't really required to reach the top, but its a lot easier if you use them, and you will climb more elegant.try to climb slow. If you climb slow, but more or less on a constant tempo you will climb automaticly more elegant. It also feels better this way.Try to use your feet as much as possible. In low level routes you actually use your arms just to hold balans. If you use climbing shoes, try to climb with the tips of your feet, otherwise you will slip if try to turn. You have more grip if your climbing shoes are too small. Dont exaggerate => spasm in the feet and calfs => big toe starts to grow under the others (if you climb much this will probably happen anyway hehe)try to hold your waiste close to the wall. This way you wont exhaust the power in your arms too fast.watch and learn from other people (with a better climbing degree)[Edited by - Kwak on June 14, 2006 3:01:24 PM];  I'm very lucky to live close to this incredible climbing gym.   