3 Common Efficiency Mistakes that Beginner Climbers Make

Climbing can be energetically taxing. So, how can you make the most of your climbing sessions and focus on improvement? See the tips below to practice your on-the-wall skills more efficiently and increase your longevity in the sport. 

1. Not resting properly- taking too much or too little rest

I’m not talking about just rest days. Resting during your session can make or break your send-go. With too much rest, you will cool down, and with too little rest, you risk being too tired to give your best effort. It is easy to want to push yourself to the max, but allowing time for rest will make your sessions much more effective. Practice listening to your body before, during, and after your time on the wall- experiment with durations that work best for you. 

2. Bent Arms/ Arm Overuse

Climbing seems like an upper-body dominant sport, but how you use your legs and arms can make a difference. For example, can you hang your arms straight or at a 90-degree angle for longer? Straightening your arms is much more efficient and takes some strain off muscles. Your arms are for balance, but your legs are for movement and power. Focus on driving your legs versus your arms for strength and power in climbing. 

3. Over-gripping

Over-gripping is a subtlety of climbing that is only sometimes apparent to those just beginning. There are various hold types and shapes to explore, and learning how to hold and use them without over-exerting yourself (or over-gripping) is vital to overall climbing efficiency. Over-gripping commonly occurs when climbers are learning to trust their feet, the wall, and their gear. Practice relaxing on the wall- experiment with loosening your grip as much as possible while remaining on the wall. 

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