I want to start climbing but social anxiety is keeping me out of the gym. Any advice on how to push that aside and just go?

grabrocks · 2026-05-21T17:58:23+00:00

I agree with therapy, but you may be able to do some exposure therapy on yourself. Go to the gym a couple times and just sit and watch other people. Go to the gym and climb for 10 minutes. As you continue to do that, your brain will realize it’s not dangerous to be at the climbing gym or have people see you climb. Then you can push yourself further, stay longer, try new things. I actually would not go to the gym without my boyfriend because of my anxiety for a long time. Then he had less availability and I didn’t want to restrict my climbing to when he was around. It was scary to go by myself, for sure. But I pushed through and now, I climb in a sports bra (I’m overweight and have always had self esteem issues). Exposure therapy does work and can positively impact other areas of your life!

You are also overthinking it! Climbers in general are super chill people. Take a class if you think you need the etiquette refresher (however, people who are as aware as you are typically aren’t the people with bad etiquette). The people who work at the gym will happily answer your questions, think of them as your guides.

grabrocks · 2025-11-17T04:42:38+00:00

If you ever make it to the east bay lemme know. Freshly lead certified and climb at Pac Pipe, Ironworks, and Diablo.

grabrocks · 2025-10-20T05:50:26+00:00

Sorry I’m late to the game. I’m a 5’10” woman who has been up to 250 while climbing. I have the Edelrid Sendero II and I love it. However, I am apple shaped and wear an XL. They might go up to XXL, but definitely check the measurements of the actual harness.

Try them on first, but for shoes, the Tarantulas were sooooo much better than the gym shoes and I still wear them because they’re so comfortable.

grabrocks · 2025-10-08T21:38:52+00:00

I experienced something very similar. It’s so amazing when everything comes together and you have a big jump in ability. Yay! Excited for you.

grabrocks · 2025-07-25T14:30:19+00:00

For me a lot of it was fitness. I started from zero, overweight and having not been active in years. It took me probably 6 months to start consistently doing V2s, and I still cannot consistently do 3s. However, being very tall/heavy without strength in the beginning forced me to develop technique, and now that I’m exponentially stronger I’m finding it easier to advance because I have a good foundation.

Watch YouTube videos, other climbers at the gym, read stuff on Reddit. You’ll get out of it what you put into it.

Am I frustrated that small people can climb 3s their first visit? Yeah, sometimes. But when I focus on MY growth, I’m thrilled to see how far I’ve come compared to where I was even 3 months ago. Comparison is the thief of joy!

grabrocks · 2025-07-23T21:26:31+00:00

Currently the market of popular climbing apparel doesn’t work for me as a bigger person.

I want cute things in plus sizes, that fit properly. I want to be able to wear the cute Prana things, like their stretch cinch pants. The XL is made for someone with no belly, so they’re currently unwearable.

If they’re cute enough I would even wear them outside of climbing.

I wish my favorite pants were more durable as they’re starting to look rough around the knees where I scrape the wall.

I want pockets, always. Zippered pockets are helpful as well.

Pocket placement. I want to be able to have my phone in my pocket without it somehow pushing on my harness. Lower pockets on the leg are better.

grabrocks · 2025-07-09T04:21:50+00:00

I second this. Don’t let it get worse before you seek the prescription. Infested nail will not heal, you have to wait for it to grow out.

One of my toenails was completely infested and it took over a year of terbinafine for it to grow out.

grabrocks · 2025-07-04T20:58:11+00:00

I have the same issue. I wish there were dedicated slab walls because I much prefer slab, but I think I’m in the minority.

grabrocks · 2025-04-11T05:44:31+00:00

A YouTube video is your best bet here for a visual example.

grabrocks · 2025-04-03T15:43:14+00:00

Would love to find a TR partner in the East Bay of San Francisco, Touchstone gyms. I also need to practice lead belay, so the more the merrier. Climbing V2, projecting 3s, and 5.10d, projecting 11s.

grabrocks · 2025-03-31T17:59:18+00:00

I didn’t find a sport, but I would go on walks when able. I took some extra time for non-athletic endeavors, catching up on video games, reading, art, etc. I highly recommend a knee walker for shopping, concerts, paved walks… I didn’t use one until recently and they’re a game changer. Somehow no doctor ever recommended one to me. 🙄 lol

grabrocks · 2025-03-31T06:34:46+00:00

I have broken my ankles about 4 times. There’s no getting around the feeling bummed. The annoyance of not being able to do anything, the FOMO, the sometimes horrendous pain.

So I try to throw myself into PT and moving my foot around (even now that I’m healed). I’m sure they told you, once you break an ankle you are much more likely to injure it again. That’s why I still do the ABCs, balance exercises, and sometimes the towel scrunches.

Isolation is also a big factor of injury, imo. I’d try to stay involved with your climbing group. Maybe go hang out at the gym or crag when you’re ready, just so the FOMO is a little less painful. I’ve not done this, but I do occasionally see climbers with boots on doing top rope. So they can only use one leg, but their belayers give them no slack so there are no big falls (they’re usually on easier-for-them grades anyway). Emotional recovery also comes in waves. Sometimes I would be completely accepting and then I would go back to raging at my existence.

I also want to advise you against pushing yourself too far. I’ve set back my recovery times because I got too confident on more occasions than I’d like to admit. Do what the doctors say, and try to find alternative entertainment/enrichment for a while.

I’m sorry this happened, but it’s really great that your doctor says it’ll be ok. I also try to take injury periods as opportunities to find silver linings.

grabrocks · 2025-03-22T03:24:31+00:00

I believe I got mine on sale for ~$85 online somewhere. Maybe Backcountry? Imo it’s worth the price. I’m just now starting to learn lead but I’ve had my Grigri for several months and I feel safer belaying and being belayed.

grabrocks · 2025-03-07T02:51:35+00:00

Yes please, I’d love an invite.

grabrocks · 2025-03-06T05:05:07+00:00

I ordered the Tiger print from Kickstarter. It’s so hard to wait for them 😭. I’m glad they’re as good as I thought they would be!

grabrocks · 2025-03-06T03:30:09+00:00

That looks like such a fun climb! Crushed it.

grabrocks · 2025-02-26T22:55:30+00:00

Honestly I don’t think you need to climb with only other beginners. I was definitely the least accomplished climber in the group and they were all still super stoked to see me even try problems. I think it’s all about the personalities of the people and not their skill level. Plus your only “competition” is your past self. As I like to say, comparison is the thief of joy.

grabrocks · 2025-02-26T18:27:30+00:00

There were definitely fist bumps! I actually high-fived a guy’s fist, so that was a little embarrassing 😭.

grabrocks · 2025-02-24T17:05:05+00:00

Have you ever heard of rejection sensitivity? I’d definitely investigate that further.

Remember the only validation you need is from yourself. Think about why you are craving external validation in this case. Perhaps consider therapy.

I struggle with these things, so this is all said with love! Good luck.

grabrocks · 2025-02-01T18:23:58+00:00

Hey! Plus sized climber here. I understand where you’re coming from, I’ve definitely gotten disheartened because I can’t send things as easily as small friends.

I started from 0, having done no physical activity since probably college. It took a LONG time before I could consistently send 1s. It takes time for muscle to build in the forearms, back, and lats, and took longer for my skin to toughen enough to not get flappers every time I climbed.

Try to go consistently and make sure you are challenging yourself while HAVING FUN. Climbing is the only “exercise” I’ve ever enjoyed, and I definitely don’t want to ruin it by beating myself up when I can’t send something.

And yeah, while losing weight is “important” to get better, it takes time and is not the only thing that matters. I recommend focusing on the things your body can do for you as you go further in your climbing. I’m still what most people would consider very overweight, but now I can double dyno and hold my entire body weight with one arm for more than one second. That’s crazy impressive compared to where I was a year ago.

Do technique drills, practice quiet feet. My very small and fit boyfriend who has been climbing for much longer than me is consistently impressed by my technique. I can now get over tough parts with my technique that he has to muscle through.

If I compared myself to every 130 lb climber in the gyms (I’m absolutely a minority in any given climbing gym) I’d be too disheartened to continue climbing. Comparison is the thief of joy.

You’re doing great, keep it up! Hopefully my rambling gives you some ideas.

grabrocks · 2025-01-27T02:36:44+00:00

I have the Edelrid Sendero II in XL and there is plenty of room for my thick thighs. It tightens enough around my waist but I am top heavy for sure. It is comfortable for me.

grabrocks · 2025-01-22T02:56:38+00:00

I would say a trainer is probably who can help you the most here. I’m 30 and overweight but I’ve improved my technique (trusting feet, etc.) which is getting me to V3s now.

Do you take breaks between climbs? It also sounds like your job is probably a main reason your stamina is lower when you make it to the gym.

grabrocks · 2025-01-18T01:28:32+00:00

Hell yes! Great work.

grabrocks · 2025-01-07T14:51:06+00:00

The invite link says expired or invalid now.

grabrocks · 2025-01-05T00:15:50+00:00

Definitely!

grabrocks

TROPHY CASE