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Climbing Holds 101

Discover some of the most common climbing holds and how to tackle them. This is must know information for all climbers and boulderers.

Every climber should be familiar with the most common climbing holds and how to best tackle them.

This fundamental knowledge will improve your climbing ability enormously. You will be able to climb faster, safer, and for longer.  

Climbing Holds and Grips Vlog

Edges and Crimps

An edge is a horizontal hold with a part you can grab onto. It’s often flat, but sometimes has a lip you can pull on.

Crimping is grabbing the edge with your fingertips flat and your fingers arched above the tips. Crimping too hard can cause tendon damage.

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Slopers and Open Hand

Slopers are roundish holds that are usually rather large. For climbing this kind of rock, an open hand grip is the most effective technique.

Use the friction of your skin against the rock surface. Feel around with your fingers to find grip spots. Wrap your hand onto the hold, with your fingers close together, and then feel around with your thumb to see if there’s a bump you can press against.

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Pinches

Pinches are holds which can be gripped by pinching them with your fingers on one side and your thumb on the other. 

If a pinch hold is small, use your thumb as opposed to your index finger, with your middle finger stacked on top. With larger pinch holds, oppose your thumb with all your fingers.

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Conclusion

When you're climbing, many of these skills come naturally, but knowing about them and how to use them gives you an extra advantage.

Check out "Emergency Roping and Bouldering" to learn more climbing techniques and more.

Train safe!

Did you find this article about bouldering grips and holds useful? If so, please share it with your friends.

Article by Sam Fury

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Sam Fury 3 png

Sam Fury is the creator and owner of the Survival Fitness Plan.

He has had a passion for martial arts and outdoor pursuits since he was a young boy growing up in Australia.

As a young adult he joined the military and studied outdoor leadership in college. After that, to further his skills, Sam started traveling to learn from the best in the world in various fields related to the Survival Fitness Plan including various martial arts in China, SE Asia and Brazil, Parkour in Singapore, Surf Life Saving in Australia, and others. 

These days, he still enjoys learning new things, traveling and sharing what he has learned via the Survival Fitness Plan. 

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