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Every climber starts somewhere. Feeling awkward on the wall, getting tired quickly, or not knowing where to place your feet are all normal parts of the learning process. The good news is that most beginner mistakes are easy to fix once you’re aware of them. By understanding these common pitfalls—and how to correct them—you’ll progress faster, climb more confidently, and enjoy your time on the wall even more.
The Mistake:
New climbers often squeeze holds as hard as possible, even when the holds are large and secure. This leads to quick fatigue in the forearms and hands.
How to Fix It:
Relax your grip. Use only as much force as needed to stay on the hold. Focus on keeping your arms straight when possible and let your legs do more of the work.
Pro Tip:
If your forearms are burning early in a climb, you’re probably gripping too hard.
The Mistake:
Beginners tend to focus on handholds and treat footholds as an afterthought, stepping on them quickly or imprecisely.
How to Fix It:
Slow down and place your feet deliberately. Look at each foothold before stepping and aim to place your toe exactly where you want it.
Pro Tip:
Practice “silent feet” climbing—if your foot lands quietly, it’s usually placed well.
The Mistake:
Relying almost entirely on arm strength to move upward leads to fast fatigue and inefficient climbing.
How to Fix It:
Think of climbing as pushing with your legs rather than pulling with your arms. Stand up on your feet and keep your hips close to the wall.
Pro Tip:
If your arms are sore but your legs feel fresh, you’re likely underusing your feet.
The Mistake:
Jumping straight onto hard routes without warming up increases the risk of injury and reduces performance.
How to Fix It:
Start every session with easy climbs and light movement. Warm up fingers, shoulders, hips, and ankles before increasing intensity.
Pro Tip:
Your first few climbs should feel easy and controlled, not strenuous.
The Mistake:
Beginners often climb too quickly, reacting instead of planning, which leads to mistakes and unnecessary falls.
How to Fix It:
Pause before each move. Look ahead, identify your next hand and foot placements, and move with intention.
Pro Tip:
Climbing slower often makes routes feel easier, not harder.
Progress in climbing isn’t about strength or speed—it’s about movement, awareness, and patience. By relaxing your grip, using your feet more effectively, warming up properly, and slowing down, you’ll build strong habits that support long-term improvement. Everyone makes mistakes when learning to climb. The key is recognizing them early and turning them into opportunities to grow.
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