Top-rope climbing: A broad subcategory of rock climbing in which a climber is attached to a rope that goes up to the top of the wall, then loops back down to a belayer, who holds the rope to catch the climber in the event of a fall. [2] X Research source Sport climbing: Sport climbing is one of the most common forms of rock climbing, and involves using ropes to ascend a wall that has pre-drilled bolts used for anchoring yourself as you climb. Traditional climbing: Traditional climbing is much like sport climbing, but is typically performed outside and requires climbers to attach their own temporary anchors and safety gear to a rock face as they climb. [3] X Research source Alpine climbing/Mountaineering: This is a form of traditional climbing done outside, above a mountain’s treeline. It often involved hiking to the climbing destination, or climbing as a smaller part of a larger expedition. Free soloing: Free soloing is essentially traditional climbing, but without the gear—just the climber and the mountain!
Though it’s done on a smaller physical scale, bouldering requires its own specific gear (like crash pads), utilizes more explosive climbing techniques, and provides a more intense upper-body workout.
Since bouldering challenges a climber’s strength, it’s a great way to train for rock climbing, since the skills practiced while bouldering translate well to rock climbing.
Rock climbing works the legs more intensely, since it requires climbers to propel and steady themselves using primarily their legs. [9] X Research source It also trains your “slow-twitch” muscle fibers, which are parts of your muscles used for sustained strain. [10] X Research source Bouldering helps build upper-body muscles, since boulderers focus more on explosive movements and upper-body maneuvering to navigate the wall. Bouldering also trains your “fast-twitch” muscle fibers, which are responsible for faster, more powerful movements. [11] X Research source
Boulderers also often have spotters that stay on the ground and follow the climber to break their fall in the event of a mistake.
In addition, letters may be added to the decimal to further identify the difficulty. For example, a 5. 9a route is slightly easier than a 5. 9b route. This letter system ends at “d,” after which the system moves to the next numerical decimal (in this case, 5. 10).
The V scale is sometimes accompanied by “+” or “-,” which indicate a route is a bit harder or easier than the indicated number, respectively. The V scale is also sometimes called the “Verm” or “Vermin” scale, named for John “Vermin” Sherman, a climber who conceived the scale in the late ‘80s.
Rock climbing also often requires a certain amount of training and education before you can get on the wall. Many gyms require that you take classes or become certified before you can use their facilities.
Many gyms allow total beginners to use their bouldering walls, given that newcomers familiarize themselves with bouldering etiquette beforehand.
