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Go Five Times before you invest in Rock Climbing Gear
Being new to rock climbing can be very scary. Tons of questions running through your head almost stopping you before you even give it a chance. Well relax, breathe and “just do it”, as NIKE says in all their ads.
Before you start buying pant, shoes, rope and other gear climb at least five times. Why five times? They say it takes at least five times before your mind decides if you really like it or if its just another hobby you waste a ton of money on like all the others in your life. Five times gives you enough times to show commitment. By the time you drive there, warm up and actually climb you would have spent at least an hour.
And if you do this five times them you have invested at least five hours in rock climbing. With that time spent you have also spent a few more hours thinking about your next rock climbing experience.
Rent gear in the beginning
Rent gear from the local climbing gym. This way you will know what shoe size you are as well as what will make your next session more enjoyable. Most rock climbing gyms have all sorts of equipment laying around for your use. Just try what they have on hand and buy once you commit to your five times. Gyms also have climbing related work our devices like kettlebells, grip exercisers, TRX, yoga mats and several other rock climbing strength training apparatus. Use the gyms apparatus before you decide to buy a bunch of climbing gear and act like Bugaloo in Above the Rim.
Nothing worse then spending $80 on a pair of climbing shoes, $ on pants, $ rope and $ chalk only to never go rock climbing after 4 times. Don’t waste any money until you have committed to climbing, period.
Don’t be afraid of asking questions or for help
Everyone at the rock climbing gyms are super friendly and looking out for each other. It is one of the nicest communities I have found among all the sports/hobbies out there and trust me I have tried a lot and been doing a lot most of my life. No question is too stupid and the people working know more than you do since you are just a beginner. Leave the ego at the door and become a child again and ask questions.
Even though the routes are colored they can be confusing. Just ask what the different colors mean or ask where you should start since you are a beginner. These are all legitimate questions for us beginners. Learning rock climbing terms can take some time but remember to have fun and learn them as you go along.
Asking for help is the smart mans way of learning when you are in the outdoors otherwise Google is always a good choice for your questions. With all the information out their no question is unanswerable in these day and age.
Don’t always think vertically and be creative with your climbing
The first day I went was with a veteran climber of 1o years. The first thing he said was you can go horizontal as well as vertical. Since I am a little older and don’t want to jump if I get tired from 8-10 feet in the air climbing right to left 
was my first choice. It was equally as difficult as going straight up without the fear of having to jump when your body tires and you need to let go or climb down. Also you may be crossing the beginning of a harder route which instantly creates a great problem to solve. At first I did not understand when my friend said that to me but once I started going horizontal it made sense.
Climbing is a thinking mans activity. You are trying to get through a route and you need to figure out which way to do it and every time can be a different way. There are several ways to get from point A to point B and that is solving the problem. Once you look at it like that it opens a whole new world to the sport. It expands your mind to start looking at everything like that vs. just one simple way to get through it. Rock climbing is not only a physical sport but highly mental and challenging. If you are a cerebral person then this just might be the sport of you liking. Challenge yourself change your life.
Pace yourself so you continue Rock Climbing
Pace yourself with your climbing as well. Don’t go super hard the first time only to be sore and not be able to go again for a week then you ultimately don’t go again. Just go and check everything out and climb for 15-20 minutes then rest. Then maybe go back and do it again for 10-20 minutes then rest and depending on how you feel, call it a day. In between maybe use some of the devices for strength and flexibility like the kettlebell, yoga mats or grip machines. This helps to stretch out your body and hands and and keep you warm in order to get ready for the next session. This will also help you keeping you from not being sore.
Like most anything it is great to pace yourself so you don’t burnout. You love it so much you want to go everyday then you stop going after a few months. In the beginning commit to 3 days per week. And just go those 3 days and no more. This way it becomes part of your life and you don’t burn out. Schedule a time that works for you and add it to your calendar. Go at that time until it is officially part of your lifestyle. Invite friends and make it a hang out versus going to a bar and having drinks. In the end pace yourself and try not to push it too hard.