Top 5 Mistakes New Climbers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

May 5

Starting rock climbing is exciting—but it’s also easy to pick up bad habits early on. Whether you're bouldering at the gym or top roping outside, these common beginner mistakes can hold you back (or worse, lead to injury). Let’s break them down—and fix them.

🥶 1. Skipping the Warm-Up

The Mistake: You jump right into your project without warming up.
The Fix: Spend 10–15 minutes doing easy climbing, mobility work, and light movement. A good warm-up gets your blood flowing, activates your fingers, and helps prevent injuries.

Try this:

2–3 easy boulder problems
Wrist rolls and shoulder circles
Light hangs or dead hangs on a jug

✋ 2. Overgripping the Holds

The Mistake: You squeeze every hold like it’s your last.
The Fix: Learn to trust your feet and use open-hand grip when possible. Overgripping burns energy fast and causes unnecessary pump.

Pro tip: Shake out often and use rests wisely. Climb relaxed until the move demands more tension.

👣 3. Ignoring Footwork

The Mistake: You throw your feet around instead of placing them precisely.
The Fix: Quiet, intentional foot placements save energy and improve balance. Practice watching your feet until they land on the hold.

Drill to try: Silent climbing—do an entire route without making a sound with your feet.

🌲 4. Only Climbing Indoors

The Mistake: You stay in the gym and never make the jump outdoors.
The Fix: Outdoor climbing develops route reading, problem-solving, and risk management skills. It’s also deeply rewarding and connects you to the sport’s roots.

Start with a guided trip or go with experienced partners. And yes, always wear a helmet.

🙋 5. Not Asking for Help

The Mistake: You try to figure everything out solo.
The Fix: Climbing has a strong community for a reason. Ask for beta, take a class, or climb with people better than you.

You’ll improve faster, stay safer, and probably make some great friends along the way.

🧗‍♀️ Final Thoughts

Every climber starts somewhere—and most of us have made every one of these mistakes. The key is staying curious, asking questions, and learning from the wall (and others).

Climb smart, climb often, and enjoy the ride.

Trevor Curran