Top 12 'Chalk-Bag-to-Crux' Gear Checks to do for Your First Indoor Bouldering Session - Goh Ling Yong
So, you’ve decided to take the plunge. You’ve seen the captivating videos of climbers gracefully 'dancing' up impossibly steep walls, and the allure of those colourful holds has finally pulled you in. Welcome to the world of indoor bouldering! Walking into a climbing gym for the first time is a sensory explosion: the smell of chalk, the sight of gravity-defying athletes, and the vibrant tapestry of routes covering every surface. It's exciting, but let's be honest, it can also be a little intimidating.
That initial feeling of "Where do I even start?" is completely normal. Bouldering is a beautifully simple sport at its core—it's just you and the wall. However, a little preparation can transform that first-session apprehension into pure, unadulterated fun. Being properly equipped isn't just about having the right 'stuff'; it's about setting yourself up for a safe, comfortable, and successful introduction to a sport that might just become your new obsession.
This isn't your average gear list. We're going beyond the obvious and creating a comprehensive 'Chalk-Bag-to-Crux' checklist. This guide will walk you through everything you need to check, pack, and mentally prepare before you touch your very first hold. From the soles of your shoes to the mindset you bring through the door, consider this your ultimate companion for a stellar first indoor bouldering session.
1. The All-Important Climbing Shoes
This is, without a doubt, the most critical piece of gear you'll use. Your feet are your foundation on the wall, and the right shoes act as a direct extension of your body, allowing you to trust tiny footholds you never thought possible. For your first session, you'll almost certainly be renting a pair from the gym, and that's perfectly fine. The key here is getting the fit right.
Climbing shoes are not supposed to fit like your running trainers. They should be snug—very snug. Your toes should be flat or slightly curled at the end of the shoe, with no dead space or wiggle room, especially in the heel. However, 'snug' does not mean 'excruciatingly painful'. If your feet are cramping up before you even leave the ground, ask for a different size or model. A good rental shoe for a beginner will be a 'neutral' shoe, meaning it has a flat, comfortable profile designed for all-day wear.
- Pro-Tip: When trying on rental shoes, wear thin socks or go barefoot (check the gym's policy). Whichever you choose, try to be consistent in the future when you eventually buy your own pair. Don't be shy about asking the gym staff for help; they've fitted thousands of first-timers and can spot a bad fit from a mile away.
2. Your Trusty Chalk Bag & Chalk
Ever seen climbers 'clapping' their hands in a cloud of white dust? That's chalk, and its purpose is simple: to absorb sweat and improve your grip on the holds. While not strictly mandatory for your very first climb, having chalk will make a noticeable difference as your hands start to get sweaty. Most gyms will have chalk bags available to rent, or you can purchase a small amount of loose chalk or a chalk ball.
A chalk ball is a porous, fabric-covered sphere filled with chalk. It’s a great option for beginners as it minimizes mess and prevents you from using way too much. Loose chalk is exactly what it sounds like and allows for a heavier coating. There's also liquid chalk, which you apply like a lotion; it dries in seconds and provides a fantastic, long-lasting base layer of grip.
- Etiquette Tip: The golden rule of chalk is to be mindful of others. When you 'chalk up', do it at your chalk bag or bucket on the ground. Avoid chalking up directly below a route, as the excess dust can get on the starting holds, making them slick for the next person.
3. The Right Climbing Attire
You don't need to buy a fancy, branded climbing outfit for your first session. The most important rule for bouldering attire is freedom of movement. You'll be stretching, squatting, lunging, and high-stepping in ways you might not be used to. Wear something that allows for a full range of motion.
Think athletic wear. Gym shorts, leggings, or yoga pants are all excellent choices. For your top, a simple t-shirt or tank top made of a breathable, moisture-wicking material is perfect. Avoid restrictive fabrics like denim or heavy cotton canvas. You should also remove any rings, bracelets, or dangly necklaces that could get caught on a hold and cause a serious injury.
- Example: A pair of stretchy athletic shorts and a comfortable t-shirt is a classic and effective combo. The goal is to forget what you're wearing and focus entirely on the movement and the puzzle of the climb.
4. The Unsung Hero: A Climbing Brush
This might seem like an advanced piece of kit, but a climbing brush is an invaluable tool for climbers of all levels. Holds get caked in chalk, sweat, and shoe rubber, which significantly reduces their friction. A quick scrub with a brush can reveal the hold's original texture and give you the extra grip you need to stick a move.
For your first session, you probably won't need to bring your own, but it's important to know what they are and why people use them. You'll see them lying around the gym, often near particularly popular or difficult problems. Using a brush is also an act of courtesy to the climbing community. If you spent a lot of time working on a problem and left the holds caked in chalk, giving them a quick brush afterwards is good form.
- Beginner's Tip: If you see someone brushing holds, it's a perfect opportunity to ask them about the climb! It's a natural icebreaker in the friendly, communal atmosphere of a bouldering gym.
5. Skin Savers: Nail Clippers & Balm
This is the gear check that many beginners overlook, often to their detriment. Before you go to the gym, check your fingernails. They need to be trimmed short. Long fingernails can snag and break painfully on holds, and they can prevent you from properly gripping smaller, more crimpy holds. Keep them short and filed to avoid any session-ending mishaps.
After your session, your hands will feel raw. The rough texture of the holds acts like sandpaper on the soft skin of your palms and fingers. Investing in a good climbing balm or salve is a game-changer. Applying it after you climb (and after washing your hands) will help your skin recover, prevent deep cracks, and build healthy, strong calluses over time.
- Personal Insight: Nothing ruins the stoke of a good climbing session like a "flapper"—a painful tear where a callus has ripped off. Taking care of your skin from day one is one of the best habits you can build for a long and happy climbing journey.
6. Fuel for the Fire: Water & Snacks
Bouldering is a full-body workout. It's an anaerobic exercise characterized by short bursts of intense effort followed by periods of rest. It's easy to get dehydrated without realizing it, which can lead to fatigue, cramps, and a sharp decline in performance. Bring a water bottle and make sure you're sipping from it consistently throughout your session, not just when you feel thirsty.
It's also a good idea to have a small, easily digestible snack on hand. You're burning a lot of energy, and a quick fuel-up can be the difference between sending your project and feeling too gassed to try again. Think of something that will give you a quick energy boost without sitting heavily in your stomach.
- Snack Examples: A banana, a granola bar, a handful of almonds, or a piece of fruit are all great options. Avoid anything too greasy or heavy.
7. The Fixer-Upper: Climbing Tape
You might see experienced climbers with their fingers wrapped in intricate patterns of athletic tape. This serves a dual purpose: protecting the skin from cuts and abrasions, and providing support to the tendons and pulleys in the fingers, which take on a lot of strain.
As a beginner, you won't need to worry too much about complex pulley support taping. However, having a roll of climbing-specific tape in your bag is a smart move. If you get a small cut, a blister, or a raw patch of skin on your finger, a quick wrap of tape can allow you to keep climbing without further irritation. It’s a simple tool that can easily save your session.
- Quick Tip: Look up a YouTube video on the "X-Taping" or "H-Taping" method. These are simple techniques for providing a bit of support to a finger joint if you feel a tweak, or just for covering a sensitive spot on your skin.
8. The Non-Negotiable: Gym Waiver & Orientation
This is the most important "gear check" of all. Before you're allowed to climb, you will have to sign a waiver and go through a safety orientation. Do not rush through this. This isn't just a legal formality; it's your essential introduction to the gym's rules, a guide to the bouldering grading system (like the V-scale), and, most critically, a lesson in how to fall safely.
Pay close attention during this briefing. Understand the gym's layout, know where the designated "fall zones" are, and learn the etiquette of who has the right of way on the wall. Bouldering involves falling, and learning how to do it correctly—by bending your knees, rolling onto your back, and protecting your head—is a skill that will prevent injury.
- Safety First: If you are ever unsure about a rule, a climbing path, or where it's safe to stand, ask a staff member. They are there to help and would much rather answer a simple question than deal with an accident.
9. The Engine Starter: A Solid Warm-Up
Your body is your primary piece of climbing equipment, and just like any high-performance machine, it needs to be warmed up properly. Walking into the gym and immediately jumping on the hardest-looking problem you can find is a surefire recipe for injury. A good warm-up increases blood flow to your muscles, lubricates your joints, and prepares your body for the unique movements of climbing.
Start with 5-10 minutes of light cardio to get your heart rate up—jumping jacks or a stationary bike work well. Follow this with dynamic stretches like arm circles (forwards and backwards), leg swings, and torso twists. Finally, spend some time on the easiest walls in the gym, traversing horizontally or climbing up and down the simplest marked routes. Focus on precise footwork and smooth, controlled movement.
- Warm-Up Routine:
- 5 minutes of light cardio.
- Dynamic stretching: 10 arm circles each way, 10 leg swings per leg.
- 10-15 minutes of easy climbing or traversing, focusing on moving slowly and deliberately.
10. The Most Powerful Tool: A Beginner's Mindset
This piece of "gear" is something you bring from within, and it's arguably the most important for your long-term enjoyment of the sport. Bouldering is a journey of problem-solving and personal progression. It's crucial to leave your ego at the door. You will fall. A lot. And that's okay—it's part of the process.
Focus on movement and learning, not on the grade of the climb. Celebrate small victories, like figuring out a single tricky move or sticking a foothold you couldn't use before. Don't compare yourself to the person climbing effortlessly next to you; they were once beginners, too. Even world-class climbers like Goh Ling Yong started their journey on the same V0 (beginner) climbs. Be patient, be curious, and most importantly, have fun.
- Mindset Shift: Instead of thinking "I can't do this," ask "What can I try differently?" This small change turns failure from a dead end into a learning opportunity.
11. The Digital Coach: Your Smartphone
In today's world, your phone can be a surprisingly effective climbing tool, if used correctly. It can serve as your personal coach and progress tracker. If you're stuck on a particular problem, try taking a short video of your attempt. Watching yourself climb can reveal inefficiencies in your movement or body positioning that you weren't aware of in the moment.
Many gyms also have apps like TopLogger or KAYA where you can log your climbs, track your progress, and even watch "beta" videos (videos of other people climbing a specific route) to get ideas for the sequence of moves. Just be careful not to let your phone become a distraction. The real magic happens on the wall, not on the screen.
- Smart Use Tip: Put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" mode for your session. Use its tools—the camera for analysis, a timer for rest periods—purposefully, then put it away and focus on the physical act of climbing.
12. The Social Boost: A Climbing Buddy
While bouldering can be a meditative solo activity, it truly shines as a social one. Bringing a friend along for your first session can instantly make the experience more comfortable and fun. You can encourage each other, work on problems together, and celebrate your successes.
If you go alone, don't be afraid to engage with the community. Bouldering gyms are famously friendly and collaborative spaces. If you see someone working on the same climb as you, it's perfectly normal to ask, "Have you figured out that move?" or "Any tips for the start?" Sharing beta and cheering each other on is a core part of the culture. A climbing partner, whether they came with you or you just met them, is one of the best assets you can have.
- Community Tip: A simple "Nice send!" or "That looked tough!" to a fellow climber can open the door to a great conversation and maybe even a new friendship.
You're now armed with a checklist that covers everything from the gear you wear to the attitude you carry. Bouldering is an incredible sport that challenges you both physically and mentally, all within a wonderfully supportive community. Your first session is the start of a new adventure. Embrace the learning process, listen to your body, and don't forget to look down and appreciate how high you've climbed.
Now go on, get to the gym. Your first crux is waiting.
What's the one piece of advice you found most helpful, or is there a gear check you think we missed? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!