Types of holds for climbing. Jug: A large in-cut hold that the fingers can grab into.

Types of holds for climbing Climbing holds come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing climbers to customize their routes and challenges. Nov 19, 2025 · Learn about the types of climbing holds and how they differ from one another. org's Types of Climbing article gives descriptions and histories of the 5 basic types of rock climbing: Sport Climbing, Traditional Climbing, Aid Climbing, Bouldering, and Free Soloing. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. ! Oct 12, 2024 · Building a home wall? Get the right Climbing Holds! Our 2025 guide covers types, materials, selection & setting basics. As I fell I grabbed it with both of my hands, instinctively, and I was surprised to have held onto it, as I did. From holds for bouldering to hands-free grips, there are a ton of different types of climbing holds available. Jul 18, 2022 · 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 moves. By understanding the different types of climbing holds, selecting the appropriate sizes, and installing them correctly, you'll be well on your way to creating exciting climbing routes and improving your skills. Understanding and effectively Climbing Holds Metolius was the first company to bring indoor climbing and training products to North America. Create your perfect wall! May 19, 2025 · Climbing gyms are full of holds of various sizes, shapes, and colors, but did you know that almost all of these holds actually fall into several categories of types of holds? Understanding the types of rock climbing holds in your gym and knowing the lexicon can help you talk about routes and understand better how to send. How you position your body depends on the location of these holds and the angle of the rock. 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 Discover the 7 essential climbing wall grip types every beginner should know. Hard crimping will require you to practice the three different types of crimps so you can flawlessly execute each one. Climbing holds vary in shape, size, and difficulty, offering climbers a rich and diverse experience. The different types of climbing holds explained 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. Here, we present the types of holds you’ll encounter in a climbing gym, along with their specific characteristics and the challenges they present. While rock climbing, you will use handholds and footholds to push and pull your body to the top. These holds come in various shapes and sizes, each serving a specific purpose to challenge climbers of different skill levels. What’s your favorite way to climb? Leave a comment to let us know! Traverse Climbing Traverse climbing is horizontal climbing where the goal is to make is across a Traverse Wall Jun 11, 2025 · You’re scanning the wall, examining all the hold types, angles, and distances, and picturing your movement through the climb. 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. Learn about different types of climbing holds and get tips on how to use them. Climbing gyms and other commercial facilities must use a variety of artificial holds that mimic the challenge of climbing on real rocks. Sep 21, 2022 · Climbing up tall rock climbing walls takes plenty of upper body strength, but your hands–specifically, how you use rock climbing grips–can make or break your experience. To learn even more and get personalised guidance, book one of our group coached sessions, free with your entry cost or membership! Oct 11, 2022 · In this video, we talk about types of handholds and techniques. Soon after we had made the decision to start our own company we started cutting into foam, lots of foam! ClimbingTechniques. Sep 9, 2020 · If you are collecting holds for your first at-home wall, make sure to grab some pinches of varying widths to practice each type of hand position. We even fantasized that one day there would be gyms designed specifically to cater to the needs of climbers. May 17, 2023 · Bouldering holds come in various different shapes, sizes, textures, and functions. Check out this guide to master the basic six rock climbing grips and finger holds and dominate your next visit to the gym. The simplest way to Bouldering and climbing involve a wide variety of hold types, each presenting its own unique challenges and requiring different techniques. 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. Sep 12, 2024 · Types of Climbing Holds Explained Climbing enthusiasts, what's your go-to climbing hold? 🧗‍♂️ Let’s dive into the fascinating world of climbing holds! Climbing holds come in a plethora of colors, shapes, and sizes, each offering unique challenges for climbers at all skill levels. Jul 30, 2017 · The different types of climbing holds and how to use them. This guide walks you though the types of holds, body position, and footwork. Once you know the basic hold types, take some time to learn how to use them. While setters may also use these hold types on a commercial bouldering set, they typically intermix them with crimps and jugs. No home climbing wall is complete without climbing holds! Make sure you understand the different types of climbing holds so that you have a nice variation and understand how to use them. Learn about materials, mounting techniques, and strategic placement to enhance your climbing experience safely. They do this by running the rope through a belay device to create friction, which gives the belayer the ability to catch or hold the climber. They come in various shapes and sizes, crafted to mimic real rock features or create specific challenges. Let’s break down some of the most common and unique types of climbing Feb 1, 2025 · Rock climbing holds vary in size, texture, color, material, etc. Knowing the different types of holds is important for controlling the difficulty of your route and creating interesting and fun moves . Gyms and Homemade Setups Homemade climbing setups come in a variety of dirtbag levels. Whether you are a beginner or advanced climber, having a good understanding of the different types of holds and their uses can greatly improve your climbing performance. These are the main types of holds that you find in rock climbing gyms. Running water, wind erosion, rock fall, etc. Due to the amount of tension in your finger and hand tendons, crimping is one of the most common climbing hold types that Feb 14, 2022 · Learn to climb by starting with the fundamentals. To excel in climbing, you need to train your pinch strength. Understanding the different types Mar 27, 2019 · Neil Gresham gets to grips with handholds: Page-one of climbing technique is making the best use of the holds, and this became apparent when we looked at footwork earlier in this series. BELAY Belaying is an essential part of any type of climbing that uses a rope. Mono: A pocket that you can only fit one finger into. 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. From large, easy-to-grip jugs to the more precise and demanding crimps, climbers must adapt their skills to navigate the various holds encountered on the wall. Jugs are big, easy to hold grips. Rock climbing holds come in a crazy variety of different styles so when you start climbing at an indoor wall it can be pretty confusing to figure out which of the multicoloured lumps of plastic you should grab first. This section introduces the most common foot, hand and body positions used in rock climbing. But which one is right for you? Learn all about the different types of climbing holds, the benefits and drawbacks of each type, and how to use them to enhance your climbing skills. Practising in a climbing gym builds strength, endurance, flexibility and technique, but to climb well on real rock, you May 8, 2024 · The Basic Types of Climbing Holds In the world of rock climbing, holds are what you grip or step on to move up the wall. Include each hold on your indoor climbing wall to familiarize your hands, arms, legs, and feet with their feeling to quickly learn how to scale the wall. For example, a flat surface doesn’t have any positivity. The belayer is the one responsible for catching or holding the climber if they fall. Below is 14 of the most common climbing holds that you’ll see indoors and outdoors as well as the ideal technique for using them. They're your best friends on a tough climb, offering a solid hold to catch your Crimp climbing, also known as crimping, is a climbing grip where your fingertips are the only thing that touches a crimp climbing hold. Jul 10, 2023 · When you start your climbing journey, there is an overwhelming amount of information to learn! You have to learn safety, new lingo, new muscle use, new movement and more. Here’s a quick overview of some popular types: 1. From the three types of crimps, when to use them, and how to improve your crimp strength. Saved my climb. Jun 23, 2024 · In conclusion, indoor climbing holds come in a variety of types and serve different purposes to enhance climbers’ experience and skills. Jun 23, 2024 · The Science Behind Indoor Climbing Holds Are you curious about the technology and engineering behind indoor climbing holds? In this article, we will delve into the fascinating science behind how these essential components of indoor climbing walls are designed and manufactured. In this comprehensive exploration, we categorize climbing holds into distinct types and delve into the fascinating realm of their unique characteristics and uses. Climbing holds are the actual rock that you use to grip and pull yourself up on. Discover the 5 best climbing holds for your indoor wall—from jugs to crimps to slopers. On the other hand, credit card crimps, for example, can feel torturous and make you question why you even like climbing. Conclusion Determining how many rock climbing holds you need is a process that depends on several factors, including the type of climbing wall, the difficulty of the climb, the design of the wall, and the type of holds you choose. Learning the different types of climbing holds like jugs, crimps, and slopers can transform frustration into progress, giving you the tools to tackle any route. 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. Climbing is a sport that tests not only your physical strength but also your ability to understand and use different holds. Hold spacing: narrow or medium (widely positioned holds may work compression strength more than pinch strength). These types of climbing holds are usually on more advanced climbs. Indoor Rock Climbing for Beginners: Types of Holds Indoor Rock Climbing for Beginners: Types of Holds Your first time in a rock climbing gym can be intimidating, even if you go with a seasoned climber. Each different climbing hold has a unique shape and requires a different technique Jun 30, 2021 · Different Types of Rock Climbing Explained There are many different types of rock climbing and it can be confusing, especially for new climbers. From crimps to slopers, undercuts to side pulls. Horns and edges One hold that is rarely found outdoors, but frequently in climbing gyms, are holds that stick out of the wall like a branch. Aug 20, 2025 · Introduction to Climbing Holds Climbing holds are essential components of both indoor and outdoor climbing, serving as the points of contact for climbers to grip and maneuver. Climbers use a combination of these holds to navigate routes up climbing walls. Feb 17, 2025 · Master the art of climbing slopers with these tips! Learn how to improve grip, body positioning, and technique to tackle even the most challenging slopers. The belay device is connected to the Climbing holds are classified based on their shape and orientation. Climbers Nov 5, 2025 · Explore 12 rock-climbing hold types, including jugs, crimps, pinches, and slopers, and see how each one builds grip strength, confidence, and motor skills. These small, durable grips are attached to climbing walls to provide climbers with a variety of surfaces to grip and hold onto during their ascent. Jug: A large in-cut hold that the fingers can grab into. One of the critical pieces of being a successful climber is understanding the hold types. Here’s an overview of the different styles of rock climbing. They come in various shapes, sizes, and textures, each designed to offer a different climbing experience. Types of Climbing Holds: Jugs: Jugs are large, easy-to-grip holds that are typically found Jun 23, 2018 · Learn here the nine different types of handholds that you'll encounter on cliffs and how to use each with specific hand movements and techniques. Sep 27, 2024 · What is a crimp? Before getting better at climbing crimps, you must understand what a crimp is and how to use it. Game Name: Climbing GameCan be found on: RobloxRecorded with: OBSEdited with: ClipChamp0:00 The Hold (Grey Hold)0:10 The Grip (Orange Hold)0:26 The Crimp (Bl Mar 8, 2022 · Slopers are rounded climbing holds, usually big and blobby. Apr 14, 2015 · Climbing has some great jargon. In this blog, we will take a look at each hold type so you can approach any problem with the confidence of a seasoned pro. The best grip Jan 5, 2024 · An experienced climber will be able to recognise different bouldering holds and know how best to use them from just looking at the wall. For context to people arguing the names given to these holds; they're used for teaching kids the different holds and movements in climbing, not a demonstration of a right/left facing hold being either a gaston or sidepull or something May 1, 2024 · Crimp Climbing 101 covers the essential techniques and training tips for using crimps. But there are subtle differences between the individual types that can Different Types of Climbing Holds Note: Before I mention the different kinds of holds, let me explain a term I will be using- positivity. How to Do a Crimp While Climbing Different Climbing Crimp Positions There are two main types of crimping in rock climbing: the full-crimp grip and half-crimp. They come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they’re meant to be climbed! To help you get started on your first climb or master the art of crimping, here’s an introduction to each type of climbing hold: Crimp Crimp holds are the smallest of all the climbing holds. Climbing lingo is like speaking another language. Discover the ultimate grip with my first-hand experience testing Rock Wall Hand Holds. At the heart of this interaction lies the mastery of various climbing grips and the ability to effectively navigate diverse rock features. Feb 2, 2025 · Ready to take your climbing skills to the next level? Check out our guide on the different types of climbing holds, and learn how to use them like a pro! Indoor rock climbing holds come in all shapes and sizes. Knowing the names and how to use differ Jan 6, 2021 · We invite you to read an article on the types of climbing holds. , have shaped While climbing holds may look simple enough, understanding the nuances of each type of hold is an essential part of climbing; and a lot harder than it looks!While there are only a couple of types of holds in the climbing gym, they come in thousands of shapes and sizes which affects the way you are going to use them when climbing. Jun 10, 2024 · Generally, they are larger holds with unique shapes that serve two purposes: forcing the climber to decipher the most advantageous way to grab the hold and allowing for creativity in ways the climber can use it to progress. 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. Mar 1, 2025 · Credit:By Short Guys Beta Works When you first start climbing, the pinch grip may seem simple—squeeze a hold between your fingers and thumb. Check out this overview of the various climbing holds and ways of holding them. Working with climbing holds everyday, we knew exactly what types of climbing holds we liked and didn’t like. Jan 13, 2023 · What’s a Climbing Hold? When outdoor climbing, we depend on natural materials forming into shapes we can gain purchase on with our hands and feet. Campus Boards Modern campus boards often feature ladder tracks of half-round balls, to use either as slopers or pinches if you turn your wrists slightly. Learn these 10 terms: jug, crimp, mantle, side-pull, pinch, pocket, mono, hand-jam, sloper, and undercling. Commercial climbing gyms offer a lot of different kinds of climbing holds to practice on. Because of this, it’s important to understand the main types of handholds you will use climbing. Mar 12, 2025 · Some rock climbing holds are friendly, like those nice ergonomic jugs. Learn proper techniques, body positioning, and training tips to improve your indoor climbing skills and prevent injuries. Each grip type is a specific way of holding onto a feature, optimized for different shapes, sizes, and angles of holds. Sep 27, 2022 · Rock climbing holds, especially unusual ones, may confuse beginners. We will go over the types of indoor climbing holds, how to approach and hold on to them, and what you should know about your center of gravity while rock climbing. Remember to prioritize safety, take it one step at a Climbing hold A competition climber using fiberglass macros climbing holds on an artificial wall during a bouldering event A climbing hold is a shaped grip that is usually attached to a climbing wall so that climbers can grab or step on it. APPROACH The route or hike to the base of a climb. Sep 28, 2023 · Want to know more about the different climbing holds? Here is a breakdown of what some of the climbing holds are called and how to use them. As far back as the 1980's, we saw the need for indoor alternatives to escape the cold, harsh winters or the hot, humid summers. These allow you to grip with the entire heel of the hand to relieve the stress on your finger muscles. Plus, get tips on how to choose the best hold for your specific style and experience level. What’s next? In this article, you learned about the different types of holds. Explore bouldering wall grips and get technique tips. Find out what they look like and when to use them. A lot of it needs to make more sense to the common ear. This guide covers everything from jug holds to crimps to improve your climbing skills. Jun 23, 2024 · When setting bouldering routes, the placement of different types of holds is crucial in creating a challenging and engaging climbing experience. Positive doesn’t mean its emotional well-being, but it is a way of describing the strength of the edge for you to hold onto it. May 8, 2023 · Uncover the secrets of indoor climbing holds! Learn how to conquer jugs, slopers, pinches, pockets, & footholds like a pro with our comprehensive guide. Hold names and shapes help climbers communicate and avoid damage. Nov 4, 2022 · When you are just getting started rock climbing, it can be hard to get on the wall and stay there. Aug 29, 2025 · Learn the different types of climbing holds and how to use them. In the world of rock climbing, mastering the various types of holds is crucial for climbers looking to push their limits and conquer new challenges. How you grip handholds or stand on footholds depends on their shape, size and position. Discover the different rock climbing grips. Typically, they 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. May 31, 2024 · Discover 12 different rock-climbing hold types—from jugs and crimps to slopers and pinches—and learn how each one builds strength, and coordination. Highly recommended! Apr 4, 2024 · Understanding Climbing Holds When it comes to indoor climbing, understanding different types of climbing holds is crucial. I was wondering if anyone would be able to highlight some of the basic common types of holds. Crimp holds are small holds that only have enough space for fingertips. Enjoy this pun-filled, visual dictionary of common climbing holds. It was the climbing holds that we didn’t like that led us to create Grizzly Holds. On most walls, climbing holds are arranged in paths called routes, by specially trained route setters. As soon as you get your climbing shoes on you might feel like you’re being bombarded with jargon and lingo you’ve never heard before! Aug 21, 2024 · The types of climbing holds you’ll find in a gym are inspired by natural features found in rock. Screw-on climbing holds and bolt-on climbing holds are two different types of artificial climbing holds used in climbing walls. 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 Sep 25, 2023 · Explore the diverse world of indoor rock climbing holds. May 17, 2024 · Discover the variety of climbing holds available for indoor and outdoor climbers. Let’s take a quick look at plotting all of them. A helpful guide for beginners in rock climbing! Discover the different types of climbing holds and how to use them effectively. Perfect for beginners and seasoned climbers alike! Aug 27, 2025 · Find the best climbing holds for beginners and pros with our complete guide on shapes, textures, and training tips for every wall angle. Whether you’re setting up a home climbing wall, a gym, or an outdoor training area, selecting the best climbing holds is crucial for a safe and enjoyable climbing experience. Here you can find some of the most common types of holds, their uses, and how to hold them. Jan 31, 2023 · Discover the different types of indoor climbing holds so you can practice various grips and determine how to use certain types of holds based on their appearance. Feb 16, 2024 · This article is designed to guide you through the different holds categories that cover the walls of indoor climbing gyms, shedding light on the terms used and offering a few useful tips. Each climber may use a different technique on any given hold, so it’s fun to know how to identify them. Elevate your climbing game with these top-rated holds. May 28, 2018 · There is many types of climbing holds and terms to remember. Jun 5, 2025 · Whether you’re rock climbing indoors or outdoors, it’s important to recognize the various types of holds you will encounter. Oct 28, 2023 · Climbing holds are the tactile building blocks of a climbing route, each type serving a distinct purpose and offering unique challenges to climbers. Start reading this guide. It might seem crazy, but climbing isn’t just about strength; it’s about creativity and foresight, too. The only exception is that larger holds like volumes and flakes aren't regularly used on trees. From the materials used to the ergonomic shapes created for optimal grip, we will explore how climbing holds are Jan 28, 2025 · For Hard Routes: Around 20-30 holds (smaller, more challenging holds). Dec 5, 2021 · Holds for rock climbing walls come in various shapes and sizes. Sometimes you have lovely big slabs to grab onto with your entire hand, and other times you need to get creative with tiny holds and reach down rather than up. The problem? Sometimes it’s tough to know which climbing grips to use and how to use them properly. ‘Crimp’ is a noun and umbrella term that describes the type of hold found in climbing where you can only fit the first pad of your fingers or so on a hold (or Jul 2, 2024 · Climbing holds are the foundation of any climbing wall, providing the necessary grips and challenges for climbers to test their skills and improve their technique. Let's break down the basic types you’ll encounter. This article will explore the different types of Oct 23, 2015 · The rock climbing tower at Refreshing Mountain offers a physical challenge with the reward of spectacular views at the top. Learning climbing holds names and types is essential to improving your climbing. May 24, 2023 · Climbing holds are the gateway to an exhilarating climbing experience, offering endless possibilities for climbers of all levels. Many beginner climbers will not know how to climb slopers or even what they are—and once they learn, they might avoid them, but slopers have their own satisfactions, and knowing how to use them is part of being a well-rounded climber. But as you get into bouldering, you’ll realize it’s essential, especially for larger holds. Tree climbing holds follow the same patterns as the holds you would see in a climbing gym. By strategically incorporating various hold types such as crimps, slopers, pinches, and jugs, route setters can cater to climbers of all skill levels and provide a well-rounded climbing experience. Done right, route reading can save energy, boost efficiency, and help prevent falls. Master the art of bouldering with our guide to different climbing holds, including their unique characteristics and the best techniques for grasping and holding them. Pinch strength involves force and control, with your thumb playing a key role as a stabilizer Oct 8, 2024 · Below are the most common types of holds that you’ll find at the climbing gym. Jan 5, 2025 · Climbing holds are essential tools for both indoor and outdoor rock climbing enthusiasts. I slipped off a hold right before the end, somewhat high on a boulder climb, and there was a kind-of-bad sloper right below me. They are made from a variety of Sep 11, 2023 · Climbing is a sport that demands a nuanced understanding of how to interact with the rock or holds. While they can be smaller or bigger, this is a general definition of each type of climbing hold: Crimp: A hold big enough to fit your fingertips. 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. But don't worry, it will be quite easy to do so as the names make lot of sence. Learn where to find the best climbing holds for your next adventure! Oct 10, 2022 · If someone asks you for beta, understand the names and shapes of climbing holds to discuss climbing terminology. Types of Climbing Holds for Beginners Many types of climbing holds provide new challenges to help you learn. Understanding the various types of climbing holds can directly impact a climber’s performance and technique. There are several primary categories of holds, each with unique characteristics that influence how climbers Jan 12, 2022 · New to climbing? Our beginner's guide to climbing moves, holds, & technique provides the information you need to improve today. 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. Nov 24, 2024 · Types of Climbing Holds: A Comprehensive Guide Climbing holds, also known as climbing grips or handholds, are the artificial rocks attached to climbing walls. Climbing holds are the grips or holds that climbers use to ascend the walls. Learning the different types of climbing holds is the first step in grasping the climbing language. Jan 12, 2022 · Hold shape/positivity: rounded/sloping or angular/incut. ilpzd xso mvafy lcu carhr oqylzzrf zfhccl pxvkx aoddbdc qqf mmgj iluym cea ceygfbb etvu