5 Tips for Your First Visit to a Bouldering Gym

All indoor rock climbing gyms offer the same fundamental service: a place to try climbing. However, they vary in design and disciplines offered based on facility size. Bouldering is one of the three disciplines traditionally found at an indoor facility. It is defined by its short walls and climbs with crash pads instead of ropes. The other two disciplines a non-bouldering-only rock gym would offer are sport (top rope and lead) and speed climbing.

Bouldering gyms are more than just climbing walls. They’re vibrant communities filled with people pushing their limits, solving physical puzzles, and having fun. If it’s your first time stepping into one, you might feel a mix of excitement and nervousness—but don’t worry! This guide will help you feel confident and prepared so you can focus on enjoying the climb.

What is Bouldering?

Bouldering is one of the simplest and most accessible forms of rock climbing. It involves climbing shorter walls without ropes, with thick mats below to cushion falls. Unlike traditional rope climbing, bouldering requires minimal gear—just climbing shoes and chalk (though you can try it in regular sneakers if you’re just testing the waters).

A bouldering gym can feel different from other fitness spaces. Unlike a treadmill at the gym where you might zone out, climbing happens in open spaces where people may watch or share tips. It might seem intimidating at first, but remember: most people are focused on their own climbs, not on you. With that in mind, here are five key tips to help you make the most of your first visit.

5 Tips for Your First Visit to a Bouldering Gym

1. Listen to the employees when they give the boulder orientation - it’s for your safety!

When you first arrive, the gym staff will give you an orientation, which could be a quick talk, a video, or a form to review. It might seem like an unnecessary step when you just want to get climbing but trust us—it’s essential. The orientation covers the gym’s safety rules, climbing etiquette, and facility layout so you can climb with confidence and respect for others. Give it your full attention—it only takes a few minutes and can make a big difference.

2. Work our way up in difficulty.

Every climbing gym has a grading system that marks the difficulty of each climb. You’ll usually find these on colored tags at the start of each climb, and there may be a chart somewhere in the gym explaining how it works.

Your instinct might be to jump on a challenging route right away, but resist the urge! Start with the easiest climbs to build confidence, get used to the movements, and warm up your muscles. As you start completing problems with ease, gradually move up in difficulty. Taking this step-by-step approach helps prevent injuries and ensures a fun, frustration-free experience.

3. When in doubt, downclimb

Bouldering walls may be shorter than rope climbing walls, but some can still reach up to 15 feet—higher than you might expect. Even though the mats are designed to absorb impact, falling from the top can feel intimidating. If you ever feel uncomfortable making a move, look for jugs (large, easy-to-hold grips) or designated downclimb holds to descend safely.

There is no shame in climbing down instead of jumping—many experienced climbers do it regularly to avoid unnecessary impact on their bodies.

4. Be mindful of other climbers

Bouldering gyms are social spaces where many people climb at once, so awareness and courtesy go a long way. Here are some essential etiquette tips:

• Watch where you walk. Always check for climbers above you before moving near a wall to avoid walking into someone’s fall zone.

• Take turns. If you see someone resting nearby, they might be waiting to try the climb you’re eyeing. A simple “Are you about to go?” can prevent awkward moments.

• Share the wall. If you fall off a climb, look around before hopping back on to make sure others get a turn too.

• Respect the brush rule. If someone cleans a climb with a brush, it’s an unspoken rule that they get first try—unless they say otherwise.

5. Take your climbing shoes off if resting - Give Your Feet a Break!

Here’s a pro tip many beginners overlook: Take your climbing shoes off between climbs.

Climbing shoes are designed to be tight for better grip, but they’re not made for comfort. If you’re resting between climbs, slip them off for a few minutes to give your feet a break. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it makes over a long session. Just be sure to keep them out of the way where no one can trip over them.

Visiting a bouldering gym can be a great workout, a social outing with friends, a fun family activity, an exciting date night, and so much more. However, it can also be intimidating and anxiety-provoking. Knowing these five tips can prepare you for your first visit so you can embrace all the fun and excitement and leave the worry behind. To sum up, remember to listen to the staff, increase the difficulty slowly, downclimb if needed, be courteous of others, and take those climbing shoes off between climbs. Comment below with any other questions about going to a bouldering gym for the first time!