r/indoorbouldering

Over the weekend I went clinging with a buddy for the first time(together). While I was applying chalk several times I’d take out the chalk ball/pouch inside the chalk bag and use to rub my hands all over it and to apply it between my thumbs and pointer finger gap. After a couple times of him seeing me do that he said it in a complaining/corrective manner to not take out the chalk ball as if it was part of the climbing etiquette to not do so or something.

My question is: is it rude,dirty or one of those things you don’t do with chalk?

The reason I did is because it was literally just easier to apply it on my hands lol.

Was just in Arc’teryx the other day and saw the Clarkia wide leg climbing pants and love the look of them but don’t want to pay $230 for them. Does anyone know of anything similar or have any loose fitting or non-skin-tight pants that they would recommend for less than that?

I've now encountered my second V3 where I do the whole beta but the finishing hold is so far up from the rest of the beta I'm just left utterly confused on how to get to it. I've only been climbing for about 5 months and have gotten pretty consistent with V3 and started trying V4 but these problems just always throw me for a loop. Any advice is appreciated!

I've been climbing (and working out) for about a year and 8 months now. I go about twice a week (thrice if time permits) alongside brief workout sessions involving leg raises, pull-ups, muscle ups, and other bodyweight exercises.

I even have a climbing coach that I see now and then who helped me get off the ground from having not worked out for years, but now climbing progress is at absolute 0.

I know that technique is likely a limiting factor but I'm really not sure what exactly is the issue.

I could just be severely underestimating the strength this sport takes, so I put some basic info below!

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

18 years old, 68kg, 169cm / 5'7

Hangboard record: 15 seconds on 15mm hold

Pullup record: 18

Muscle up record: 5

Pushup record: 30

I have an almost paralyzing fear of falling and hurting myself. Maybe some of it is my age - 47 - because I know if I hurt myself it's going to be a slow comeback.

But it's starting to really hold me back. There are some great climbs that I can start and I know I am physically and technically ABLE to finish, but my fear of falling prevents me from finishing them. Like there is this V3 right now that I KNOW I can finish, but it's all big slopers and I keep picturing myself falling and slamming my face into every single one on the way down...so I end up chickening out and grabbing a handle like 2 moves before the finish.

My son keeps telling me to just allow myself to fall and I'll get over it once I learn to allow the fall, but I can't seem to do that. I just end up bailing out when I get too scared that I'm about to fall.

Anyone overcome a bigger than average fear of falling and if so, how did you do it?

I have gone bouldering a couple times before, but I have only started going regularly for 1 week. I can do most of the v3’s in the gym, however v4’s seem like a huge leap from this? I cannot even get on the first/second holds most of the time. I am wondering if it is because of my height (5”2) or lack of finger strength.

I believe I was able to progress from v0 to v3 relatively quickly due to doing calisthenics prior, so my pulling strength is likely not the issue.

Any tips would be appreciated!

I feel like most of the time I’m not falling because I can’t do the move, but because my grip just gives out. My forearms get pumped really fast, even when I try to be mindful about it. I’m guessing it’s partly technique, but not sure what I should focus on changing. Any advice on improving endurance or reducing pump?

I have an energy limiting condition so I pretty much hit my limit at like an hour? If I push it beyond that I pretty much get too exhausted to do anything else in a day. Although I’m guilty of doing that if there’s a project I can’t do because every single time I’m like ‘I can try one more time :)’

It’s part of tbe reason I’m too unsure to ask anyone to come bouldering with me. I have lots of fun in that hour but I’m never sure how long normal people spend in there, especially for just a regular workout rather than an ‘activity’ if that makes sense