Any climbers out there?? Looking for trainingboard. Need advice.

[qacwac]

I do not currently climb but am thinking about getting in to. I have looked at a couple at mgear.com but don't really know anything about them. So any advice about them, any good websites, or any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Also you wouldn't happen to be in the Nashville or Cookeville, TN areas would you?

 

[Gaul]

If you've never climbed before, the BEST way to train is to climb. At the point you're at a training board would just serve as a pullup bar, and I'm sure you can find a cheap pullup bar.

Are you from Cookeville or Nashville? Because Cookeville is 1.5-2 hours east of Nashville, and I assume that Cookeville doesn't have a climbing gym.

I haven't found any decent climbing websites out there, but the climbing magazines, Climbing and Rock & Ice, are great resources. Also the book series How to Rock Climb has a bunch of great stuff in it.

I know TN has some good climbing, but I just can't remember where. Fortunately, you are rather close to one of the best climbing spots in the world: Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

Hmmm that's all I can think of now, but fire away with the questions

 

[Raspewtin]

i climb indoors at an indoor climbing gym. It's fairly safe and good training for the real thing (althought I have no urge to do the real thing)

 

[Gaul]

Raspewtin, climbing indoors is BORING. Sports climbing out doors is almost as safe and TWICE the experience. Do yourself a favor and get out there, but be sure to take someone experienced along with you

 

[Raspewtin]

<< Do yourself a favor and get out there, but be sure to take someone experienced along with you >>



To be honest I'm a little afraid of the real thing, but the nudge in the right direction helps! I will try to do it by the end of May.

 

[Gaul]

Fear is the mind killer.

Nah don't be afraid. It's the same thing as indoors. I actually find that I get injured MUCH more easily indoors.

Plus getting outside is just a great feeling.

Where are you from?

 

[Raspewtin]

<< Where are you from? >>



San Diego, California


Are there any good beginner places to climb outdoors here?

 

[Gaul]

well you're pretty close to Joshua Tree which is one of the top 10 spots in the nation, but from my understanding it's not on the most beginner friendly places to climb. What do I know though? I've never climbed there

 

[cyclistca]

Best way to start is to find an experienced instructor. I was lucky because they offered a climbing course at my local collage. Check out some local outdoors stores they should be able to direct you towards an instructor. In my area there are several outdoor climbing schools.

A good place to start is on an indoor climbing wall. That way you can get the basics down. Eventually though you will want to get out and do some sports climbing on a real rock face. Also see if there is a club that does climbing in your area. Climbing equipment is expensive so it is a lot cheaper to borrow it or rent it then it is to buy.

Eventually you can even get into multi pitch climbing. Ah yes there's nothing like hanging on the side of a rock face well your lead try to climb over that overhang .

 

[qacwac]

Thanks guys. I live in Mt. Juliet which is half an hour east of Nashville and one hour west of Cookeville but I go TN Tech in Cookeville so I am there Mon. - Fri. I am planning a trip to Foster Falls with my brother and his friend who is an excellent climber sometime in the next couple weeks. Hopefully he can give me some pointers.

Gaul you are correct in that it would mainly be a pullup bar. (atleast for now) I have a pullup bar and want something to work a little different muscles. Thanks for the tip on Red River Gorge. Maybe I can make a trip up there this summer. Where are you from?

 

[qacwac]

Anybody used Rock Rings? I'm considering these The link in the middle of the page shows some of the exercises. Any ideas?

 

[Gaul]

bah instructors? who needs instructors! just j/k cyclistca

yeah rock rings are pretty nice. We have a pair at our gym that I've used on occasion. However my favorite training aid is a campus board.

But like I said before, the best way to train for climbing especially as a beginner is too climb as much as possible.

Is there a gym in Nashville? Climbing gyms are a great place to MEET other climbers and of course train. But it sounds like this friend of your brother may be able to help you out a bit. Be sure to ask him where he climbs and such.

Oh and I'm from Houston. We have to drive 3 hours to get to real rock

 

[qacwac]

I attended Vanderbilt last year and they had a nice climbing wall in the rec center but of course at the time I never took advantage of it. That's the only one I know of.

By the way Gaul, can you do a one handed pull-up? I think that would be sweet. My brother's friend can and he knows guys who can do one pinky, one handed pull-ups. That is absolutely incredible.