Introduction
Walk into any climbing gym and you’ll see the obvious rules posted on the wall, but if you’ve spent more than a session or two climbing the fantastic plastic, you know there’s a whole other unwritten rulebook, rarely explained, and somehow universally understood.
These are the small, unspoken codes enforced through glances or disapproving looks. Consider this your friendly guide to the unwritten rules of the climbing gym, learn them early, laugh at the ones you’ve already broken, and climb with a little more gym awareness going forward.
1. Just keep trying
You walk up to a gym boulder problem with confidence, pull on, link the first few moves… and fall. What now?
A. Jump back on immediately
B. Stand under the problem, staring at the moves
C. Curse loudly and throw a wobbly
D. Step back and let someone else have a go
If you picked A, B, or C, don’t be surprised if you get a few annoyed looks. When you fall, step off the mats, recalibrate what went wrong, stay calm, and give others a chance to climb. Space is limited in the gym, be aware, be patient, and be kind to your fellow climbers.
2. I know the beta
Just because you see someone using “different” beta, and you think you know an easier way, doesn’t mean you should share it. The process of unlocking a problem is often more valuable than the top-out itself. By giving unsolicited beta, you can steal the experience of trying, learning, and eliminating what doesn’t work. Developing an understanding of body position and how moves feel for your dimensions is a critical part of improving, don’t take that away.
If you ask, “Do you want beta?” and the climber says yes, then feel free to help. Just remember that everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, body types, and styles, so what works for you might not work for them. When in doubt, keep it to yourself.
3. Headphones
Whether someone is wearing headphones or earbuds, they’re politely signalling: “Give me some space: I’m focused.” Many climbers have limited time and are following a training plan, so long conversations at the gym can pull them off track. It’s not rude, it’s a respectful way to stay on task.
Alternatively, some people simply find the gym overly social and just want to enjoy their own rhythm. Either way, let them enjoy their tunes in peace and respect their dedication.
4. Barefeet
Stinky climbing shoes, grubby feet, and toenail fungus are everywhere, don’t be the person walking around barefoot or climbing without shoes. Feet touch the ground, and the ground is… pretty gross. Keep them covered, wash them later, and no—it’s not “hip and free-spirited,” it’s just plain gross.
5. Kids are free spirits
We love kids, their energy, curiosity, and eagerness to climb everything! We just don’t want to accidentally land on one and hurt them, and we’d also like a turn on the wall ourselves (see point 1). If you have kids, that’s awesome, just help keep them somewhat under control for their safety and everyone’s enjoyment, especially in a limited space.
6. Chalk everywhere
Chalk is cheap and an amazing way to keep your hands dry, but it gets everywhere, on clothes, the floor, in the air, and even on faces. Show some love to your fellow climbers: put your hands into the chalk bag, don’t grab handfuls, and avoid clapping or blowing it around. Breathing in that white powder isn’t ideal for anyone.
7. Grades
There’s a famous climbing meme that goes, “That’s V2 in my gym!” Climbers love to talk grades. “It’s easy,” “It’s hard,” “This gym is soft,” “That felt like V4, not V2”, we all do it. But here’s the thing: loudly announcing that V6 felt like V2 is rarely impressive; it usually has the opposite effect.
Grades are meant to guide, not to brag. Climb the problem, enjoy the movement, and laugh at your successes and your failures. Whether it feels too easy, impossibly hard, or somewhere in between, it doesn’t matter; the next problem will feel completely different. Expect eye rolls if you announce how strong you are!
8. Burn baby burn
Jerry Moffat famously answered the question, “What do you like about climbing?” with, “I like burning people off.” As he matured, he later admitted the shallowness of that sentiment.
Don’t be the gym bro who watches someone struggle, then struts over to climb the problem like a peacock. Put your ego aside and focus on whatever is challenging you. At most, offer some positive encouragement. Seriously—don’t be the peacock.
9. Suns out, guns out
The era of shirtless dudes lined up to show off their abs is mostly over. Sure, Magnus rocks the shirtless look in his videos, but in the gym it often just comes across as unnecessarily macho. Modern breathable fabrics make staying cool easy, so just keep your clothes on.
Also, that reaction you were hoping for from the girls? Yeah… probably not what you expected. Be respectful of everyone in the gym and stay cool the right way—keep your shirt on! If you’re really warm-blooded, take off your toque or sit by the fan instead.
10. You were once a beginner
Remember how it feels to step into a new gym, try a new sport, completely unsure, watching others swing through moves that look effortless, and feeling a little intimidated. Everyone was new once.
Be patient with beginners: offer advice only if asked, don’t roll your eyes, and resist the urge to rush them or take over their climb. Welcome people into the sport at every level, celebrate their efforts, and help build a supportive community. Small gestures of encouragement can make a huge difference.
Gym Etiquette Summary
Gym climbing isn’t just about grades or sends; it’s about the time we spend together, the progress we make, and celebrating each other’s effort. Cheer, encourage, learn, and enjoy the journey. When respect and connection come first, the gym becomes a community, not just a training venue
Lead Image Courtesy of Scarpa North America
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