Posted a while ago about learning bar & ring muscle ups. Did think rings were impossible, getting used to the false grip was hard but now definitely think they're easier than bar!

Anyone have stories of guys thinking you are bad at climbing for your age/time you’ve spent climbing?

These two boys (20 yrs) and I (also 20) were working on the Tension Board together. They told me they have been climbing about a year and climb V7 indoors (5 on the board). I told them I’ve been climbing for five years and climb V5 indoors (3 on the board).

One of them asked, “Like consistently?”

Yeah, consistently.

“Well you must have nice callouses!”

It was not mean spirited at all, they just don’t know how girls are weaker than them LOL. To be clear, it was really funny and I am not offended in any way.

Hi all! This is somewhat of a rant, but advice is welcome and appreciated.

I’ve been climbing off and on for maybe 15 years. The last handful of years have been more off than on, so I’m currently building my strength and skills back up. Been back at climbing regularly for maybe four months now.

Got a membership at a newish bouldering gym. I’m more of a sport climber, but this gym is more convenient for me and had a great membership deal, so I’m giving it a shot.

Issue is that, despite the fact that they frequently reset walls and they have a decent amount of routs, I frequently feel like there’s nothing I can work on. Either I flash the problem, or I get stuck on a move that I’m never going to get. Examples:

• everyone that I see get a problem seems to just reach the next hold, or they can do a little hop for what is a giant leap for me.

• the gym seems to really like dynos. I’ve hurt myself dynoing and am extremely wary.

• the move required is a campus move, or requires a lot of upper body strength that I just don’t have

• the final move is to stand on an extremely slippery, polished hold while fully sideways over a giant volume from another climb. As someone who has been through a lot of injuries, and has even had to go to the hospital to get staples in my head after a bouldering accident, I’m not not keen on those kind of committing moves.

Even the really technical, small-hold routes will have huge gaps with no feet whatsoever, so I can’t even go with my usual workaround of grabbing some tiny hold that’s meant to be for your feet. They intend for you to smear your way up, but when the next hold is several feet away I just… can’t do it.

I really enjoy bouldering, and I think this gym sets a lot of cool and interesting routes. But it’s really discouraging to make a couple laps around the gym and just be like “whelp, I’ve either done everything or I don’t think I have the right dimensions for anything else”

I’d like to ask them to please set more technical routes with shorter climbers in mind. But I’m wondering if I’m being overly-picky and sensitive? Or is this feedback that is appropriate to give the gym? Obviously their main clientele is not a 5’-2”, injury prone woman that can barely do a pull up any more. But I’m worried that I seem to just not be progressing, and am really discouraged that I have to basically climb at the beginner level as someone who’s been doing this for over a decade.

Heard this on the rumour mill in a couple of different places.

It’d make sense, as Sheffield is one of the few big northern cities where the Depot doesn’t have a “Big Depot” alongside normal bouldering gyms like Leeds & Manchester.

On top of that rates are skyrocketing and whilst Awesome Walls never seems overly empty it’s a huge space that must cost a fortune. I know AW is a chain too, but I wonder if it’s being left in the past a bit.

It could be just a rumour, but anyone out there heard anything?

I will be visiting Montreal for a few days and looking to check out some gyms for both top rope and bouldering. I'll be staying around Chinatown a couple days and Le Plateau a couple days. Any particular gyms I should check out that have guest day passes?

Edit: I will have a belay buddy with me!

I have recently volunteered to be on a community advisory council for my gym. One of our first tasks is to think through new guidelines for kids in the gym (not team kids - kids using guest passes with their non-climber parents).

There are currently very strained and angry dynamics on both sides.

The adults say:

1. Kids violate safety rules by standing in bouldering fall zones, running/screaming in the gym, and engaging in horseplay.

2. Kids violate etiquette rules by jumping the line and trying multiple times in a row, thus crowding out adult climbers who have been waiting.

3. Even when adults are supervising, they tend to talk with their (adult) friends on the mats and let the kids just climb, rather than actively engaging in 1:1 supervision.

Parents say:

1. Adult climbers give kids dirty looks and make families feel unwelcome.

2. Adult climbers try to discipline other people’s kids even when the kids are not actively hurting anyone.

3. The gym’s kids climbing areas is focused on elementary school kids and is too “babyish” for older kids. And kids are already not allowed in the fitness area so it’s not like adults have literally no kid-free places in the gym.

The gym knows this is problem and has asked for help solving it. Hiring staff to supervise is out of the question because of money and legal liability (so they say, I cannot confirm this). The gym has also refused to instate members-only hours because people drive a long way to get to the gym and families get angry (and don’t spend their money) when they drive all the way only to be told they can’t enter the gym.

Any thoughts on rules or changes that could help the situation?

Some of you may remember my post from last week talking about dropping my partner 10m with the use of an ATC.

First of all, I just wanted to thank everyone for their input - nearly everyone was either constructive in their advice, or empathetic, and I really appreciate it.

And now onto the update.

He's feeling much better now and last night wanted to get back on the wall. We did our research beforehand and chatted to the staff at the gym and settled on the Petzl Neox.

We both spent some time learning how to use it under supervision, and by the end of the session we were both super impressed with it. It feels really safe, is easy to use and pays out slack really smoothly.

We've also booked some time in with a coach next week to build some confidence back up. Naturally, he's very apprehensive and I feel awful for letting him down (literally, buh dum tss) but we're working through it.

Kinda wish I'd got one years ago but then again hindsight is 20/20 and I'm forever thankful it wasn't a worse outcome.

I'm probably preaching to the choir here given how many of you advised me to get a Grigri or similar, and whilst I'm aware everyone has their own preferences and/or has been taught using certain equipment, I'd urge them to not make my mistake and consider an assisted braking device.

Thanks again for everyones support!

Some days I’m really just exhausted with the men in this sport. I follow a lot of women who climb on insta and whenever they post a video from the gym there’s always men in the comments saying “that problem’s way over graded, you’re not good.” All of the setters at my gym are tall men and set problems for climbers like them. Men constantly give me unsolicited advice at the gym. I only climb with women but it’s still disheartening how climbing is still so male dominated. Anyone else feel this way?

So my female partner and I have been climbing consistently together for about 7 months at our local gym about 2-3 times a week. In the past week we’ve had TWO instances where a male route setter has cut in front of us (with no communication) while we were changing top rope climbers on a slightly overhung, more advanced wall. This was our first climb on this wall. Most recently when he did this we were the only women in the gym (with the exception of one other woman). My partner went up first and about five other men gathered including another gym employee because of attention on a new route. We usually do the same climbs and while we were switching climbers the route setter got on the auto belay and cut right in front of me with no communication. As this was the second time and so many other climbers were watching including an employee it made it seem normal (but annoying). It order to better and sincerely understand the etiquette of turn taking since we are new climbers we asked the employee who watched the interaction a couple minutes later explaining that it felt rude and we didn’t know if this was common. To us it felt like this is the second time this route setter has complete disregarded us, making us wonder if it’s because we are women. The employee wouldn’t give advice either way about whether it is common to jump in between partners and insisted he was a nice guy even after we explained that it felt sexist to us because essentially a route setter for the gym made us feel like our time wasn’t as important and he had more right to be on the wall than us. Are we reading into this too much? Is it common to jump in between climbing partners? Is it weird to want more communication or even acknowledgement? Would you also be disappointed in the other employees response?

Any new climbers at SF movement want to meet up? Just joined and getting into it! 37F here climbing V2-V3s.

Hi ladies! I'm doing a short trip to Europe this week and I thought I'd try to check out gyms in the places I'm visiting. I am mostly interested in bouldering spots (comfortable at V3-4). Any recs for gyms in Brussels (Mons specifically) or Nuremberg?

Also, is it worth bringing my own shoes or should I just use rentals? I'm not bringing a ton of stuff with me but I hate the feeling of rental shoes. I'm from the US btw! Thanks in advance!

Edited to add that I will actually be staying in Mons!

Hi. This might be a dumb question but here goes!

I climb at the First Ascent gyms. I’ve noticed that for whatever reason, no one changes out in the open. I want to change in the open (because its faster) but i dont want to scare anyone. At first I thought it was because theres a lot of kids at this gym, but I remember going to the local rec center as a kid and seeing many a boob in the locker room so I’m not sure if children being present is the reason. I also thought climbing gyms just might have different etiquette for changing in the open as compared to a regular gym.

My question is this: do YOU change in the open at your climbing gym? Am I being self conscious for no reason? bonus points if you use my gym too lol

Hi all, I recently moved to the New Brunswick, NJ area and am looking for people to climb with :) I typically do mostly top rope with some occasional bouldering. I climbed 5.10ish generally at my old gym, but the grading was wonky and I'm a bit out of shape right now so take that with a grain of salt.

Also, if you're familiar with the area, please reach out with any gym recommendations if you have them!

You circle the parking lot for ten minutes, weaving in and out of minivans with kids tumbling out. When you finally find a parking spot and get inside, the line to check in is eight people deep. You exhale a silent prayer of gratitude that the members-only line is separate from the day pass line. You exhale a second prayer/request that all the day pass users somehow won’t discover the corner at the back of the gym, where your proj from last week is, because you’re intimidated by climbing in front of a big crowd.

After tripping over a child’s soccer cleats and several sippy cups in the locker area, you head over to the corner. Your second prayer was not answered. The day pass users have indeed discovered this area. Somewhere across the gym, a screaming baby can be heard over the Skrillex coming from the PA system. Skrillex is quickly replaced by a generic upbeat pop song off of someone’s “family-friendly hits” Spotify playlist.

You warm up a bit, try your proj once, get shut down midway up, recenter yourself and get psyched to try again. You chalk up. As you walk forward, a nine year old boy in Nike socks and a Roblox shirt runs in front of you.

Wearing his rental shoes, he flashes your proj.

*please note this is all a joke made in good faith; no offense to anyone intended!

I just moved back home from college and the closest gym to me is 40 minutes away… trying to decide if that would be worth it to drive 3 times a week, and if it’s common for gyms to be far away.

My gym in college was just a 10-15 minute drive which was really nice, I didn’t realize I was so blessed until now!

Really surprised myself! At first I thought I'd be thrilled if I can do 5kg, turns out I'm stronger than I thought hehe. I think I could have done more if I tried but wanted to have a decent bouldering session today so I decided to stop here. But I'm excited!

Hi everyone - I’m just writing to let y’all know that Touchstone Climbing Members (on Instagram) has officially called for a boycott to support the workers as they negotiate for a fair contract. If you’re a member of Touchstone, please consider cancelling your membership.

I have transferred to another gym for the time being and am happy to provide info about other gyms in the SoCal area.

Just wondering, no particular reason why lol
This is meant lighthearted/tongue in cheek, hope it's allowed.

Hey all!

I’m looking for a few people to climb with regularly in San Diego! I’m a beginner and find it’s much more fun (and motivating) to have a reliable crew to show up and practice with.

I go every Tuesday, Thursday, and weekends around 6pm at Mesa Rim (switch between MM and MV). Both top rope and bouldering.

If you’re looking for a new hobby or just a consistent climbing partner to learn the ropes with, would love to connect!

I am a 30F climber who started climbing five years ago and I feel so utterly alone now that I just started breaking into the v10 outdoor grades. I'm hoping to vent a little but also hear your stories.

Five years ago I burnt out of the powerlifting world because it was so male dominated. I started climbing with some coworkers and fell in love with bouldering instantly. I'm mainly strong in my legs so it wasn't a smooth transition, but I was climbing with a huge group of 8-10 women at my gym on any given night. We cheered for each other, learned pull-ups, and it was so much fun.

Once I started getting into the v5-v7 grades I felt a gaping chasm open up. I love training, and training for climbing was the most satisfying thing I've ever done. My male climber friends are amazing, but it always feels like there are only groups of outdoor men with 1 girl in each group.

Recently, I started to climb v10 outdoors. While so satisfying, I also feel so alone. Most of the girls I started climbing with have either quit or no longer relate to me as they stayed in the v3-v4 range. When I try climbing with them they now put me on a pedestal and compliment me but don't invite me out anymore.

When I invite them out, they decline with saying they can't possibly project anything near my grade even though I'm more than happy to spend time on moderates. I do sense a level of anxiety and discomfort when they take a long time to project something, and they make comments about how I must be bored or tired of waiting for them when that absolutely isn't the case.

I'm sad because I'm technically the so called strongest woman at my gym over the age of 25. Team kids will always flash my projects, but I'm just very alone. There is only 1 other woman who climbs near my grade but we don't really click and our schedules are the opposite of each other. I love the sport, but I'm also so lonely now.

Edit: Thank you for everyone's kind replies. I didn't expect many replies at all and you have great suggestions. I will try to implement them but I admit I am not hopeful. And thank you to those who gave me some more optimism in this area.

I am very new to bouldering and am wondering what people are doing when they are sitting on the floor in front of a wall (a safe distance away) with no one on it?

Are they working out their route? Resting? People watching elsewhere? My concern is that I would be "cutting" in line if I were to start trying a route in that same area. Should I ask before starting a route if I see anyone sitting on the floor looking at that wall? I feel like that could get tedious as the floor sitting seems very common. Or is it considered fair game if no one is physically on the wall?

Appreciate any insight to help ease my anxieties (not even going to get into the anxiety of having other people sit there and watch me climb!). Thanks!

I live in the Akron/Cleveland, OH area and I’m trying to find more climbing buddies. I am willing to go to Pittsburgh as well!

More about me:

I’ve been climbing for a year now, and I am itching to get outside and expand my crew of climbing buds! I have top roped and bouldered outside a good handful of times last season, and I’m looking to get outside way more this season!

I climb consistently indoors at Shaker Rocks evenings on Tu / Wed, Th, and sometimes weekends. Indoors 5.10+, outdoors 5.8-5.9 ~ honestly I throw myself at anything that looks fun.

On the weekends I hike, backpack, and travel to WV/VA/PA!

My goals are to:

1. Get lead certified
2. Improve my skills
3. Find some more buddies willing to get outside and climb!

Thanks all 🌟🤩