Climbing walls are one of the easiest ways into climbing. They help you improve quickly and can also be great fun – whatever your climbing ambitions.

FIND: your nearest climbing wall and read our free guide to starting climbing

If you’ve never been to a climbing wall before, there are a few basic skills you will need to learn before being allowed to climb unsupervised. 

Most indoor walls now require beginners to do a taster session, an introductory course or to be supervised by an experienced friend, so if you’re thinking of starting you should first call your local wall and find out when these are offered, how long they take, and what they involve. Such sessions are one of the best ways to learn the ropes, and help ensure that climbing walls are as safe as possible for everyone.

Your instructor will show you crucial skills such as how to correctly put on a climbing harness, how to attach yourself to the rope, how to belay another climber and how to safely lower them to the ground once they’ve reached the top.

They might also cover warming up, basic climbing moves, how to use the different types of handhold and foothold, and how to use a bouldering wall. The wall will usually lend or rent you equipment for your beginner's course. 

WATCH: Our indoor climbing skills video series on BMC TV

Once you’ve shown that you can use the wall safely and that you understand the centre’s rules, you will be allowed to register to climb unsupervised. Unless you’re bouldering this means you’ll need a friend to climb with, but many walls will have sessions where you can meet other climbers. And once you’ve got used to climbing at one wall, you’ll also be able to register at hundreds of others, usually just by answering a few questions and signing a declaration that you are responsible for your own actions. 

Once you’ve done a handful of sessions, you might want to start thinking about buying your own shoes, harness and belay device. Many indoor walls also have gear shops where you can get advice. Be honest about your ability and aspirations – you’ll have plenty more opportunity to buy things if you make the leap to climbing outdoors.

If you’re under 18 and want to take up indoor climbing, different rules might apply and you should call your local wall to check. Many offer courses and competitions especially for young people but you might need parental permission or supervision. If you are a parent, or a young person, you may also find our Young People booklet helpful.

WATCH: How to put a harness on BMC TV:

WATCH: How to attach the rope to your harness on BMC TV:

WATCH: How to belay a lead climber on BMC TV:

We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've launched a U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership

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