Types of rock climbing holds Whether you’re scaling an indoor wall or navigating natural rock features, these insights will elevate your skills. All the different types of holds are words you will recognize, and once each hold is explained, you will hopefully have an “oh…that makes sense” moment. Aug 21, 2024 · The types of climbing holds you’ll find in a gym are inspired by natural features found in rock. Every rock face that you climb offers a variety of handholds or grips. They both focus on putting all your force on your Jan 26, 2023 · A lot of it needs to make more sense to the common ear. Indoor climbing involves mastering a diverse array of holds, each presenting its own set of challenges and demands. Practice using every type of handhold to gain the best hand techniques and to build hand and forearm strength. “Type of Climbing Hold” refers to the grip it offers. Think of different rock types as like different “game boards” — distinctive characteristics in each rock type act like palettes that determine the basic composition of your climb. These categories can include what the rock is shaped like and how you cling to it — the holds. While some holds might look obvious, other ones not so much. For this reason, commercially bought wooden rock climbing holds can be very expensive (and beautiful). There are currently four types of holds in the climbing industry. Some of the most common rock climbing holds are: Jug Holds: Jug holds are large, easy-to-grab handles that are great for beginners. From large ledges that mimic the comfort of a boulder to tiny micro-holds that challenge your fingertips, the variety of artificial climbing holds is a direct inspiration from nature. Each hold tests different grip strengths and techniques. We make it easy with options for indoor rock climbing for beginners, we even offer day passes and gear rentals, including shoes and chalk bags. Rock climbing is a sport that requires both strength and agility. Tree climbing holds follow the same patterns as the holds you would see in a climbing gym. Jan 6, 2016 · Climbing holds are normally modelled on the shape of holds you might find on a rock face but there are some unique styles, such as climbing holds shaped like numbers and letters, that you’ll probably never find in natural rock. Shop our collection of wall climbing rocks by size! Atomik Climbing Holds stocks many types of rock climbing holds, training equipment, and accessories. As with all types of holds, jugs come in different sizes, from very small to very large. Sep 27, 2022 · As a new climber, you may have questions about climbing holds, especially those funky, seemingly impossible ones. Nine Basic Types of Climbing Handholds. It’s very unique for its climbing characteristics, providing some very easy to more advanced routes with holds you can only dream of having on other types of rock. There are two main types of crimping in rock climbing: the full-crimp grip and half-crimp. Jul 18, 2022 · When you first start rock climbing, your approach is all about the vertical gain. Apr 17, 2016 · Rock climbing is inherently a puzzle that demands your ability to analyze the rock for the best lines and holds for you to utilize on your ascent. It was the climbing holds that we didn’t like that led us to create Grizzly Holds. Working with climbing holds everyday, we knew exactly what types of climbing holds we liked and didn’t like. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Sep 21, 2021 · Whether you’re rock climbing indoors or outdoors, it’s important to recognize the various types of holds you will encounter. Here are the most common types of climbing holds you'll encounter: Jugs: These large, comfortable holds provide an excellent starting point for beginners, offering a generous amount of surface area From one of the easiest holds to use to one of the most challenging types of holds…the crimp! Crimps are small, positive edges or ledges that restrict your grip to the first two sections of your fingers. They're crucial for practice and skill development. Jan 2, 2024 · Using Proper Climbing Hold Terminology. Holds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you’ll need to learn how to identify each kind so that you can grip it correctly. Usually, you can only fit two or three fingers, compared to two hands or the full hand that fits on jugs and it may be shallower so it is harder to climb than the jug. Learn Grips in a Climbing Gym. They can also include how you travel between these holds — the moves. Training Purposes. This guide categorizes climbing holds into three comprehensive groups: the Basic 5, the Fancy 5, and the Comp 5. It’s most common to see plastic holds at rock gyms, but occasionally you can find other materials being used too, such as wood, metal, or actual rock that’s been cut and shaped a certain way. From jugs to crimps, slopers to pinches, and the materials they're made of, this guide dives deep into the evolution, types, and intricacies of climbing holds, helping climbers and enthusiasts better understand their indoor climbing experience. Indoor climbing holds are crucial for climbers to develop their strength, technique, and endurance. But before you can start scaling those rocks, you need to know how to use the right climbing holds. There is actually a vast array of ways you can move between Jun 23, 2024 · Uses of Indoor Climbing Holds. The smaller, narrower and less positive the surface of the crimp is then the harder it is to use. Jun 23, 2018 · Most indoor climbing gyms set routes with a wide variety of manmade handholds, which allow you to learn and practice the different grips. The Basic 5 Jug Jan 31, 2023 · To master that latest project or maybe stick to the wall longer than two moves, it’s essential to know how to use different types of rock climbing holds. While there are techniques that apply to specific holds, maximizing contact with the hold will always be the number one priority. Feb 2, 2025 · Rock climbing is a challenging and rewarding sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Jun 14, 2024 · Here are some recommendations for the best climbing equipment. Always call holds by their proper names, such as edges, crimps, jugs, slopers, pinches, and 2. Mar 27, 2018 · Free climbing encompasses every other type of rock climbing other than aid climbing. Those are the most common climbing holds in the wild and at the climbing gym. Routes vary in difficulty, facilitate body movements found in outdoor rock climbing, and can be changed regularly. What Are Rock Sep 9, 2020 · Rock climbers have specific words and lingo for everything—including climbing holds. In order to enjoy rock climbing to the fullest, it is essential to know about the different types of climbing, the necessary clothing and equipment, and the training and methods involved. Nov 4, 2022 · Once you know how to recognize and respond to different holds, you will be prepared for many different types of climbing, including sport climbing, bouldering, and top rock climbing, indoors and out. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee I am pretty new to bouldering/rock climbing and I often hear people talking about different types of holds at my indoor gym I go to. Content blocked Please turn off your ad blocker. Many artificial handholds used in a climbing gym are ideal for learning each of the different hand grips. Learn everything you need to know about climbing holds in this comprehensive guide! We look at all the different types of holds, how to hold the hard ones li Natural stone climbing holds. Jan 5, 2023 · Different Types Of Rock Climbing Holds. Look for holds with different edge sizes and textures to simulate real climbing scenarios. Let’s jump in! Jan 31, 2023 · Rock and wall climbing are highly popular extreme sports activities. Commercial climbing gyms offer a lot of different kinds of climbing holds to practice on. I've heard of slopers and crimp holds but I haven't found a good overall explanation of them all anywhere. The different types of climbing holds explained. The only difference is how they attach to your wall. I was wondering if anyone would be able to highlight some of the basic common types of holds. As in: get your best climbing shoes on, look up, grab whatever you can, pull up and hope you don't fall off. Knowing the different types of holds is important for controlling the difficulty of your route and creating interesting and fun moves. Now that you have a solid understanding of climbing holds, talk to other climbers about climbing problems using the appropriate terminology. Feb 1, 2025 · Rock climbing holds vary in so many ways, size, texture, color, material, etc. It’s considered an extreme sport and is used in another type of climbing: mountaineering. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the most common climbing holds and their unique features, equipping you with the knowledge to tackle any climb. Rock Climbing Hold Shapes. But the more you climb, the more you realize there’s a subtlety to climbing that requires different types of rock climbing holds for different routes and May 31, 2024 · Rock climbing holds are the building blocks of climbing routes, offering climbers a diverse array of challenges and opportunities for growth. May 8, 2024 · Introduction to Climbing Holds and Their Importance Climbing holds are the very shapes you grab or step on when climbing walls, either indoors or outdoors. The easiest rock climbing hold for beginners to use is the jug. Depending on the specific style, various types of gear are used to protect against falling—but never to help the climber move upward. Narrow, often small and flat, they require great finger strength. Any wood with a fine grain will work, but cherry and oak are probably best. , have shaped natural climbing holds for millions of years! See relevant content for every-last-rock. A climbers’ form of ice pick is used to help the climber advance up the ice, which is why ice climbing is a type of aid climbing. CRIMPS. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common types of climbing holds, explain how to use them effectively, and offer tips to improve your climbing performance. These are small holds, with thin edges ranging from approximately one finger pad to half-a-finger pad deep. . They can also be placed on the wall in any orientation, so before we learn how to hold them, let’s take a look at what we are holding on to. The Five Main Types of Rock Climbing Holds Jugs. It will take you through a number of different holds, what they are called and how to use them. Invest in high-quality crimp climbing holds that offer a variety of grip options. People either love or hate them, but they are great holds to pull hard on! Slopers. Sep 25, 2023 · Explore the diverse world of indoor rock climbing holds. By understanding the different types of rock climbing holds and their functionality, you can help your child enhance their fine and gross motor skills, improve their flexibility and strength, and boost Jan 12, 2022 · Well, there are actually a few different categories we can put aspects of a climb into. Rock May 2, 2024 · We're diving deep into the nitty-gritty of jugs, crimps, pinches, and everything in between. At Atomik Climbing Holds, we provide a wide range of holds specifically for crimp grip training. These are rounded, somewhat circular holds that might look impossible to hold. If you are interested in building your own climbing wal Ice climbing is also a type of lead climbing which can be done in pairs with a rope where one is an anchor. Slopers are one of the six classic types of rock climbing holds found in both climbing gyms and outdoor routes. How to Do a Crimp While Climbing Different Climbing Crimp Positions. We make them all out of the same non-toxic polyurethane resin. Incuts/Mini Jugs Climbing Holds. com Aug 15, 2017 · This rule applies to all types of climbing holds: jugs, crimps, pockets, pinches, and slopers. Check out our Educational Hold Line for educational purposes in the gym world of climbing. Think of them as the building blocks of climbing; they Dec 5, 2021 · 2-bolt Climbing Holds share a similar design to bolt-on holds with the added benefit of two 3/-16 Allen Head Socket Cap Bolts instead of one. Harnesses and lead tops for top rope climbing. This article will help you develop a better eye for climbing holds. See full list on rei. Written by Stewart Green. Rock holds are also difficult to Jan 31, 2023 · To master that latest project or maybe stick to the wall longer than two moves, it’s essential to know how to use different types of rock climbing holds. The only exception is that larger holds like volumes and flakes aren't regularly used on trees. Types of climbing holds Jugs: Mar 12, 2025 · Undercling – Any climbing hold but is turned upside down! Side Pull – Also any climbing hold but is turned sideways! How to Use Different Climbing Holds Wooden wall with multicolored climbing holds in gym. In this article, we’ll touch on five categories of climbing holds, go over how to identify them, and offer some general guidelines for using proper technique on each. They are essential for training, setting routes, and even for competition climbing. Many of these shapes try to mimic real rock features, while others are merely for fun. com. Climbing Holds. Most climbing holds are textured to represent the grip and feeling you get from climbing on rock and even get Jul 13, 2021 · By the way, there are different types of crimp grips and gripping techniques for different holds, and we’ll dive into it more below. 3 Basic Ways to Use Handholds Oct 10, 2022 · Different Types of Climbing Holds Crimps. It refers to climbing using only your hands and feet on natural features of the rock to move upwards. In this article, "Climbing Holds 101: Types of Climbing Holds," we delve into the intricacies of some fundamental hold types, shedding light on their characteristics, difficulty levels, and optimal uses. Learn how best to use different climbing holds and get to grips (completely unintentional pun) with the terminology thanks to coach Emily and route setter Ellie from our TCH Swansea team. But making holds from wood is time-consuming and laborious. Whether you're a novice or an Explore different types of climbing holds and their unique characteristics in this beginner-friendly guide to rock climbing. Sep 28, 2023 · Climbing Jargon – Different Hold Types . It shows off your climbing expertise and improves communication as well. Understanding how to use them best will take some practice Jun 11, 2024 · Rock climbing has surged in popularity, with enthusiasts seeking both outdoor and indoor challenges. And, now that you’re familiar with these main types of holds, you’ll be talking the climbing and bouldering lingo in no time. Whether you’re an avid climber or a beginner in this sport, you must first master climbing indoors to ensure your safety while doing Oct 23, 2015 · Our visitors are beginners just getting introduced to the sport… so to help them get started, here is a list of some of the basic rock climbing holds to try out on our Climbing Tower! Crimps When you reach up and find an edge to grip, your hand naturally goes into a crimp position, with the fingertips on the edge, and fingers arched above. 2. Crimp holds, pockets, jugs, kids, slopers, foot holds, pinches, rails, roof jugs, volumes, and features, are many of the hand holds for climbing walls offered here. We'll show you how to get a grip on our ultimate guide to rock climbing holds, from their shapes to their styles, and how to pick the ideal shapes for your indoor climbing wall. This keeps the bolt in place (doesn’t spin), and it’s still easier to change positions compared to the screw-on holds with their 4-5 screws. In 2021, an estimated 6 million people in the US participated in indoor climbing activities. Running water, wind erosion, rock fall, etc. Crimps are probably the most common holds on V3 problems and higher in bouldering gyms. Plus, an experienced climber will also more quickly recognise how to best grip a climbing hold and which position his body should be in at any given moment. Send it! May 8, 2023 · Learning the different types of holds and how to use them is critical as you’re getting started climbing. Soon after we had made the decision to start our own company we started cutting into foam, lots of foam! Volcanic rock: Volcanic rock, such as andesite and basalt, usually comprises an array of features, showcasing the different types of holds in rock climbing. The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland features basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, with various unique routes on these natural hexagonal pillars. Central to the indoor climbing experience are the holds on climbing walls for your hands and feet, designed to be bolted onto indoor climbing walls to form routes. Some holds may appear to be obvious, while others may not. Knowing how to tackle each one helps you predict what the routesetters had in mind for a particular problem, making it easier to solve instead of scratching your head in confusion. Climbing holds come in a huge variety of shapes, from blobs to bats. Rock climbing is an enjoyable and rewarding activity that can be undertaken by people of all ages. But another important aspect of developing your climbing skills is to learn the types of holds and how to use them. This type of climbing hold is just like a regular jug but it is smaller and is probably the most common type of climbing hold. The first method of choosing rock climbing holds Feb 17, 2025 · Introduction. While the feel of these holds is realistic, rock holds are heavy and can polish with heavy use. These holds are defined by their rounded, smooth surfaces that lack a positive edge, making them uniquely challenging to grip. This blog post is going to help you learn the never ending jargon of climbing. May 17, 2024 · The climbing holds in gyms are a testament to the natural beauty of real rock. Jan 13, 2023 · Low-tech but still great wooden climbing holds are still popular for DIY projects and online retailers. Indoor climbing holds serve various purposes beyond just providing handholds and footholds for climbers. Shop for Climbing Holds at REI - Browse our extensive selection of trusted outdoor brands and high-quality recreation gear. Plastic holds have different textures and features. Jan 25, 2023 · But an experienced eye will see an array of climbing routes and movements. Sep 21, 2022 · The rock climbing holds set on walls (by incredibly talented route setters) are made to challenge you similarly to outdoor climbing. Crimps can be extremely narrow. Below are the types of holds with the pros and cons of each: Bolt-On Climbing Holds Feb 16, 2024 · Jugs are very common in beginner problems in climbing gyms. If you're new to rock climbing, practice all these grips at an indoor rock gym. Palming is one of the most important but overlooked finger grips in climbing. Handholds are usually used for pulling yourself up to the rock rather than pushing, which is what you do with your legs. When you look at a rock climbing wall it may appear to be a hodgepodge of colors and shapes, but oftentimes climbers place specific holds in specific orders to create rock climbs. It often deceives the climber from below as the holds can sometimes look more difficult than they actually are once you’re up there. Knowing the names and shapes of holds is beneficial for gaining skills, communicating with fellow climbers, and reducing the risk of injury as you attempt more challenging moves. In the early stages, climbing holds were crafted by casting real rocks into concrete blocks; later, they evolved into rocks with holes drilled into them, allowing attachment to a wall. Learning the different types of climbing holds is the first step in grasping the climbing language. May 24, 2023 · Understanding Climbing Holds: Climbing holds come in various shapes and designs, each serving a specific purpose to create diverse climbing routes. In addition, since 2000, the number of climbing gyms in the US has increased to four times as many. When you're out there climbing, whether it's at the climbing gym or out at the crag, knowing the different rock climbing hold types is essential. New to climbing? It can be overwhelming with the amount of jargon to learn so we’re here to help. Using different types of rock climbing holds can give climbers an advantage on the wall. There are many different holds out there, each with its own unique set of challenges. sglqw kzlxpv qzau ppqsy iymd yormkd diozp yxteez uzhgccfr eoxng knhxcbwu uqeiwx mxgb xtaqh dobbudyog