Indoor Rock Climbing is an offshoot of outdoor rock climbing and has quickly become a sport of its own. Gyms have started offering climbing walls covered with plastic holds and have safety ropes strung from the top of the walls for the climbers protection. Climbing walls are usually 30-40 ft. tall and have climbs of different skill levels. Other wannabe rock climbers will look at the possibility of indoor rock climbing as a stepping stone or a training ground before going to the real thing.

To get started with indoor rock climbing, check the guidelines below:

1. Find a climbing gym near you. Look at yellow pages or phone books which can locate the nearest gym in your area. Search in the internet for the websites of these gyms for more information about prices and directions.

2. Check whether these gyms offer any types of introductory classes which will teach you the basics about equipment, using your body, different climbing techniques how to belay, how to tie in to a harness and movement techniques. Classes are also great to get to know other people at your skill level.

3. Join the gym and be a member. Joining the gym will make you go, especially if you paid a lot of money for a membership. The more time you spend in the gym, the better you will become.

4. Socialize with people and earn friends. Choose a climbing partner at your skill level to greatly increase the quality of your experience.

5. Hiring a coach can do wonders as it will help you develop movement techniques and teach you how to reduce the chance of injuring yourself.

If you feel that indoor climbing has set out the challenge, try talking some of the more experienced climbers in your gym and ask if they provide any trips to the real thing. It might become a lifetime obsession with rock climbing.