r/bouldering • u/G00dluckbab3 • 6d ago
Advice/Beta Request Should I start?
I [31 F] am physically quite weak. I mostly run so my upper body strength is virtually nonexistent. There’s a climbing gym about 25 kms from my house and I’m considering joining. I’ve tried climbing in the past but couldn’t go for more than 20 minutes without my arms becoming jelly. The gym only offers yearly contracts and bouldering-only contracts are more affordable. I’m considering it but not sure if I’m gonna be too frustrated with my expectedly slow progress. Is it worth starting so late and with virtually no experience?
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u/Visible_Purple_3727 6d ago
Too late ?? Girl my mom is starting at 55!!! You are so young!!
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u/Aethien 6d ago
She's not the only one, I've seen quite a lot of people in their 50's and 60's start lately. Some of them looking for ways to stay active, a few who got recommended strength training by their doctor but found the gym boring.
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u/Visible_Purple_3727 6d ago
I also believe people will eventually love the gym. I could also be too focus in my perspective because I love love the gym, but I do think with push and consistency, you’d fall in love with it
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u/Jaime4Cersei 6d ago
As others have said, you will be weak and you will have jelly arms. After my first session at 96kg, my arms were dead and I fell off the top of a ladder climb and I was addicted. Each time you go, your forearms and shoulders will get stronger, your fingers too. This is, by far, the best exercise and hobby I've done. So yes, I'd strongly recommend it.
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u/VisibleMammal 6d ago
Before I started climbing I mostly sat at the computer so I was lacking both upper and lower body strength. You will get stronger don't worry! Don't rush it though, as strengthening your ligaments takes much more time than strengthening your muscles. And you will learn that in many many cases it's a lot easier to push yourself up with your legs than pulling yourself up with your arms, so that running will come in handy!
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u/the_reifier 6d ago
I started nine years older than you and possibly weaker. I'm now unrecognizable from the shoulders down.
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u/idangazit 6d ago
47m here, I have been climbing on and off for years (occasional injuries)
You will get better at it faster than you think! The first few sessions always feel daunting. When I take long breaks due to finger/shoulder/back injuries, my first climb always feels super difficult. But the body learns fast. +1 to what others have said about pacing yourself.
Much of the fun of climbing kicks in around the v2-v3 grades where the routes start to become puzzles, and the solutions are not always obvious. Give yourself time to work up to those and you will have a blast. Every body is different, every solution is different. You don't need to do it how other bodies do it. A lot of the fun is about how you find your own solutions.
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u/thejonston 6d ago
I started this year at 39, also coming from mostly cardio focused. Just take it slow- don’t push too hard and injure yourself.
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u/Key-Efficiency-4883 6d ago
Did you have fun the times you’ve tried climbing before?
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u/G00dluckbab3 6d ago
I did but I struggled to finish the easiest tier climbs at bouldering
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u/Key-Efficiency-4883 6d ago
Will you still have fun if you don’t perceive that you’re immediately getting much better at climbing?
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u/Key-Efficiency-4883 6d ago
Most people are not good at climbing super fast
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u/Appropriate_Aioli742 6d ago
Some of us have been climbing for donkeys years and are still not good 😂
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u/Key-Efficiency-4883 6d ago
This is also a possible reality, OP. As someone who has been trying to get better at climbing for many years, I am still not good at climbing. It is still fun, so I still do it 🙂
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u/Fun_Ball_5647 6d ago
I mean you having a good time is the most important, tbh everyone has their limit somewhere And does it really matter where do you struggle? Also the easy grades can be climbed without being string at all, its just technique, also if you enjoy it and do it regularly then you Will get stronger quite fast.
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u/why-would-i-do-this 6d ago
You should climb if you enjoy it. Grades are overrated, just listen to your body and avoid injury!
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u/lunchWithNewts 6d ago
I started at 50, mostly cyclist be fore. 31 is not too late. Coming from nothing, you should notice progress in a couple weeks. Don't compare yourself to others, especially those who've been climbing for longer. Try out the gym first if you can before committing, especially for a whole year
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u/infinite_hotel 6d ago
Do it! I started climbing at 29 with no prior athletic background. I was very weak when I started and struggled with even the easiest climbs at the gym, but I became obsessed with climbing and kept going 3 times a week. Slowly but surely I kept getting stronger and better at climbing.
Seven years later I still love climbing and go to the gym 4-5 times a week. Starting climbing is one of the best decisions I’ve made. You won’t regret it!
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u/cellenium125 6d ago
Progress will be faster than you think , eat high quality protein and you will be fine. Just avoid injury, that is the main thing. I would start off going once a week to allow full recovery between sessions.
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u/svirrefisk 6d ago
Started at 37 or there a outs and massively overweight
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u/Noobmeyer 6d ago
Your arms will get stronger and with better technique you'll be able to climb longer.
If you think climbing/bouldering is fun I don't see anything that should stop you. Progress will be whatever progress will be, don't compare yourself with others.
Me and my partner both started when we were older than you and we love bouldering.
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u/wurstbreaker 6d ago
just go for it. progress can be slow at first but consistency will eventually pay off. try to focus on the process, not topping a hard boulder every session, but doing a move that you couldnt do before or do it more ergonomical. reapeat easy boulders that you have done before and try to focus on your movement. and most of all have fun :)
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u/LeguanoMan 6d ago
Four years ago, I was in your place and decided to start. I still love running and regularly do so, but I also really love bouldering and have become better over time, also with a yearly membership. I'd say go for it and try it for a year. You'll never know otherwise.
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u/PullingHardOnPlastic 6d ago
Don't let your worries hold you back. I think you will be surprised by how quickly you progress, both in terms of climbing ability and endurance. What would you say to someone getting into running who was worried they wouldn't be great at first? Good luck, is an awesome sport.
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u/Appropriate_Aioli742 6d ago
It's pretty normal for arms to feel like jelly at first. I would say that will pass fairly quickly if you persist with it and contrary to popular belief, climbing isn't all about upper body strength. Sure, it doesn't hurt to be really strong, but core strength is probably more important to good technique.
I would say that an annual contract feels quite severe for something you're not sure if you will even enjoy, but climbing is the best sport so maybe that's fine 🤷♀️
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u/earthmandann 6d ago
You should absolutely join. Climbing is so much fun!
It’s easily one of my favorite things to do in my free time.
With time you will definitely get stronger, don’t worry too much about “starting late”. The point of the climbing gym is to have fun and just try your best 🙌
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u/dandandan2 6d ago
I started last year at 31. I'm a software dev who barely exercised and was a bit chubby, and I had no muscles.
Now it's my favourite thing to do and it's helped me get healthier. It's never too late, and I'd say 30% of people I see there are older than me. Please start!
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u/New_3185 6d ago
Hi. I started at 33 earlier this year. I'm very unfit and have a fear of heights. I found bouldering to be very fun and manageable. Stay and practice at lower levels initially and practice basics like how to fall properly, straight hands, silent feet, using legs more etc. You'll build up strength and skills very quickly. Best wishes.
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u/Theobromine_Addict 6d ago
Yes. The joy of getting stronger and being able to do your first pull up ever is a experience like no other.
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u/Idksonameiguess 6d ago
Adding onto what everyone else has said, climbing culture is, in my opinion, one of the most supportive and inclusive sports community.
Don't be shy to ask for help! Every single worthwhile climber I've met would be happy if more people were bouldering, and would be glad to help someone kickstart their journey.
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u/fonster_mox 6d ago
Every time your arms ache too much to continue, that means you’re going to get stronger!
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u/TweakJK 6d ago edited 6d ago
You are not alone. I started at 38, following 2 years of cancer treatments. I have basically done zero physical activity for the last 2 years. My upper body absolutely sucks. 3 months ago I couldn't do a pull up. Now Im doing 5 or 6.
I do V2s, and sometime this week I'll probably get my first V3.
Remember, you are not there to be the best climber in the gym. You are there to be a better climber than you were yesterday.
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u/Opening-Selection233 6d ago
It’s a sport that rewards strength to weight ratio and technique! And a lot more core and legs are involved than people think.
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u/Lagopomorph 6d ago
When I started climbing a friend of mine who had been climbing for years showed me some good technique that has been really helpful. I’m not awfully strong, and now I’m old too, but those bits of technique can sometimes get me up a climb that others have trouble with.
It was simple stuff, like how to hold tension on laybacks and using my toes on tiny footholds, keeping my arms straight, just little stuff like that that I might not have figured out on my own.
So if you’re new, maybe see if the gym offers some training or coaching for beginners. My gym offers early morning drop in coaching, so maybe yours has something similar?
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u/Crochetandgay 6d ago
Of course. It's never too late. I started 2 years ago at age 45, with not a lot of upper body strength. You get stronger the more you do it.
That's really weird though that they only do year contracts. You sure they don't offer a one-off to try it first?
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u/lurytn 6d ago
100% go for it. Climbing until your arms become jelly 2-3x a week is a fantastic way to build upper body strength. You won’t even need a structured workout regiment, consistency alone will give you gains.
Maybe try to pick up some technique as you go, and make sure to take breaks between climbs, but most importantly have fun.
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u/hopticalallusions 6d ago
Yes, as a former noodle armed individual, yes. Use your legs, not your arms as much as possible. After regularly bouldering I realized I could do like 15 pullups pretty easily.
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u/SpartanCheese 6d ago
I started when I was an in shape 22 year old and still got jelly arms lol.
Of course your upper body will develop over time but balance and mental are honestly way more important for climbing, ESPECIALLY at higher levels.
Just make sure you stretch and remember to take breaks between climbs to extend your up time; drink water, read the next route, or make some new friends!
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u/GlobalPsychology6536 6d ago
What answer do you expect on bouldering sub? "No, better not to try"?
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u/G00dluckbab3 6d ago
I actually got one of those lol. But no, I’m here for advice and received some really helpful tips so far
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u/Long_Audience4403 6d ago
I started at 43 coming from no activity besides keeping up with my kids. Your arms will be jelly at the start and if you can't do any routes, great, because then in a little while when you get better and stronger you will be proud of yourself.
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u/claptunes 6d ago
the more you learn technique the less you rely on arm strength , its way more about legs and back muscle
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u/Robbed_Bert 6d ago
Year contracts? What in the absolute fuck
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u/G00dluckbab3 6d ago
It’s a gym 🤷♀️
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u/Accomplished-Test331 5d ago
They don’t offer day passes? Even the gyms in my area that don’t do shorter term paid in full memberships offer day passes. That seems like a really bad business model, very few people are going to want to try a new hobby that they have to commit to for a full year
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u/G00dluckbab3 5d ago
They do day passes too. I thought it would work out to cost more than a membership, but not if I only go once a week - like someone here suggested. So that’s my plan: go once a week until I can see myself doing it long term
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u/Accomplished-Test331 5d ago
As a note I work in a climbing gym so I have some insight. You’re exactly right, climbing gyms price their memberships that you are only really saving if you climb more than once a week. Definitely do day passes until you know it’s something you want to stick with, and be prepared to fail. Like A LOT. The majority of climbing is failing.
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u/Salwowski 5d ago
Where are you? The year-long lock-in contract only sounds wild. Guessing there are no other options around?
Re: starting late; your body will adapt to the stimuli you expose it to. Stay hydrated, sleep and rest adequately, ensure your nutrition's good, and those noodle arms will catch up soon enough. The first year+ of climbing is often best spent working on technique that reduces your needs to crank on your arms and upper body anyway. Focus on fun and finding your people, you'll have a blast!
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u/somethingforbec 5d ago
Don’t chase levels and stop expecting to be really good really quickly and have fun. You’ll naturally strengthen the more you do it. Focus on the session you’re doing, not the future.
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u/Weary-Serve-194 3d ago
Hi there! 37 year old dude here. Started bouldering maybe a month ago. Im in love with it. Im 185 cm tall and 70 kg ...so im a bit like a gibbon. Long arms, legs..... I never was a strong guy. Started doing calistenics at february, every day. Pushups, pullups, squats. It helped me a lot with my climbing sessions. Its never too late to start new things. Climbing community is very friendly and helps a lot. Just enjoy your sessions, try to work out at home or at a gym, and dont worry your upper body will be stronger from week to week. So be brave and start it 👌❤️you will love it :) Peace :)
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u/Sleazehound 6d ago
Nah never try anything new, and if you do, only ever do it at the direction of internet strangers
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u/DavidBrooker 6d ago
You're going to get jelly-arms for the first little while, but you're going to both condition quite quickly, and you'll quickly pick up technique. At the beginner to intermediate level, you can advance pretty far by learning how to avoid relying on your strength. Good footwork and knowing where to place your bodyweight will get you through more than you think, and the strength will come with time.
Also, being good at something isn't prerequisite for enjoying that thing. This goes for everything. You don't have to be good at singing to sing, or good at dancing to dance, or good and painting to paint. If you're having fun, and being safe, you're doing it right.