Learn & improve
Climbing guides
Straight-talking articles for people who climb, or are about to start. Written for indoor climbers, from first visit to first lead.
Featured guide
How to Choose Climbing Shoes (and Get the Fit Right)
Fit, stiffness, shape and closure: a practical guide to your first pair of climbing shoes, and why hiring first is a smart move.
Read the guide
More guides
Climbing Grades Explained: V-Scale, Font and French
What the numbers and letters on a route actually mean, how the main systems compare, and how to use grades without letting them use you.
Indoor Climbing Etiquette and Safety: The Unwritten Rules
Falling safely, checking the landing, sharing the mats and partner checks: the habits that keep a busy climbing hall friendly and safe.
Your First Month of Climbing: What to Expect and How to Progress
A realistic four-week plan: how often to climb, how to warm up, why your forearms burn out and how to look after your fingers and skin.
Top-Rope, Lead or Auto-Belay? Understanding Roped Climbing
Three ways to climb tall walls, what each asks of you, and the skills and checks that keep roped climbing safe.
Where to go next
Ready to put it into practice?
Reading helps, but nothing beats time on the wall. Try a guided session, or just come in for general climbing.
These guides are general information for climbers and are not a substitute for instruction. Always follow staff instructions and the centre rules, and seek qualified instruction before learning ropework.