Rock climbing provides a strength training and aerobic workout, which allows you to get exercise in an entertaining way. Whether you plan to climb Mount Rainier or a wall at a climbing gym, certain pieces of equipment need to be in place.
Harness
A climbing rope attaches to your harness, which typically consists of a waist belt or "swami belt" and leg loops. The leg loops of the harness can be fixed or adjustable, with the latter providing more flexibility for clothing when climbing in cold or warm weather. Webbing can be used to create a harness, but sticking with a commercially purchased harness is safer.
Rope
The type of climbing rope you need varies depending on the type of climbing you are doing, the type of rock you are climbing and weather. Ask a sales person or climbing expert which types of rope are recommended for your specific climb. If you plan on general climbing, the most popular and common rope, alpine guide Michael Silitch writes on REI.com, is a 60-meter-long dry rope with a diameter between 9.8 and 10.2 mm.
Belay
To ensure safety, climbing parties often use belays to help control the rope. While one person is climbing, another person remains on the ground using a belay device to tighten or release slack in the rope. Made of materials such as aluminum alloy, the belay is attached to the person on the ground via a carabiner. If the person climbing slips or falls, the tension provided by the belay prevents the climber from falling to the ground and getting injured. In some cases, if the person belaying is lighter than the person climbing, he may need to tie off to a tree or other heavy object to provide extra support in case of a fall.
Attire
Attire includes climbing shoes, which have thin soles and are worn without socks to allow you to better feel the rock when trying to find footholds. Thin climbing gloves protect yours hands from cuts on the rocks while still allowing you to feel for hand holds on the rock surface. Appropriate tops and bottoms allow easy movement and full range of motion when climbing. A helmet protects your head against possible lacerations or other injuries from falls.
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