How to: Get Started Indoor Rock Climbing/Gym Climbing

I just found out that indoor rock climbing is fun, social and a great work out. But it’s also painful and your body aces for days, but hey, it means you worked out! It looks as the gym is a perfect way to learn the basics and a good introduction before you know, try outdoor rock climbing. But I’m not even close to start with real rocks…

Time Required: Several Weeks
Pumu: that’s all, are you kiddin’ me?

Here's How:
Find a climbing gym near you.
Pumu: Done! Two tram strops from home.

Take a class. Classes are also great to get to know other people at your skill level.
Pumu: I have my own private class. Thanks to the boys!

Be social. The gym is much more enjoyable if you have friends to climb with. Choosing climbing partners at your skill level will greatly increase the quality of your experience.
Pumu: Pumu is super social hey! The boys of course are much ahead of me, but its dead fun with them. It must be fun for them too, to see me like a frog squashed to the wall, while screaming that I’m too high! I must look ridiculous…

Hire a trainer. A personal climbing coach will help you develop movement techniques and teach you how to reduce the chance of injuring yourself.
Pumu: Coach nebo couch? Done. I have 3 for the price of one!

Tips:
Cross Train. Diversifying the physical activities you do will help you become stronger and reduce the chances of injury
Pumu: Dancing salsa counts like cross training?

Warm up. Integrate cardiovascular exercise into the start of your gym workouts to increase blood flow and limber up your muscles
Pumu: Always!

Don't over do it. Climbing on the ergonomic climbing holds can torque your tendons and muscles. Train in the gym no more than three days a week when learning to climb and stop if it hurts.
Pumu: three days a week? That is over doing it for me!!! So far, only once a week it’s far enough.

What You Need:
Climbing shoes
Pumu: Got them. Aren’t they nice? Although I’m not really fond of the colour… I'll get use to it, but not to the pain...worst than ballerinas!

Harness
Pumu: Not yet for me. Apparently Franta says I don’t go that high, but when I’m up there, oh man, I stress in such a way. I must overcome this freight from height…s if I may call 1m high… Yes Lukas, even 1m is high for little Pumuka!

Chalk bag
Pumu: I don’t need it now…

Belay device and carabineer
Pumu: woah!!! Not yet there. No need for that at the moment.

Comfortable workout clothes
Pumu: maybe I should do some shopping… niiiiiiiice. Real shopping Vitek!

Tips taken from About:Climbing