Movement Blog

Climbing isn’t just a sport; it’s an experience that challenges individuals to push past their limits, face their fears, and build deep connections with others. For queer individuals, finding spaces that embrace their true selves while sharing in the joy of climbing can be incredibly empowering. In the climbing community, the focus has always been on personal growth and shared achievement, and this extends to the welcoming environment queer climbers experience at Movement gyms. It’s a space where the joy of climbing and the thrill of reaching new heights take center stage, but where people’s identities, including their gender and sexual orientation, are met with respect and support. Movement fosters a culture of inclusion, celebrating the diversity that each person brings to the sport. In these spaces, the goal is always to lift each other up—literally and figuratively. Queer climbers often find that when they first step into a Movement gym, they are greeted by a community that not only accepts them but celebrates their unique identity. It’s not uncommon to see diverse groups of people—whether they’re climbing with their partners, friends, or in supportive groups—casually chatting about techniques and routes, exchanging tips, and encouraging one another. It’s a place where queer climbers are able to truly express themselves, free from the worries of fitting into a specific mold. In almost every location across the DFW region, there is an event called Queer Climb Night dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community. What stands out most in these spaces is the sense of belonging that comes with being surrounded by people who are genuinely supportive. From experienced climbers to first-timers, the climbing community works together to create an atmosphere where no one feels left out. The staff, too, play a crucial role by ensuring that everyone feels included and empowered to climb at their own pace. There’s something special about being able to fully express yourself while climbing, free from judgment. When a queer climber is on the wall, focused on a challenging problem, the shared experience with others becomes about the climb itself. The connection with fellow climbers transcends labels—what matters is the next move, the next step, and the collective effort to reach the top. It’s an environment where individuals feel accepted and celebrated, regardless of how they identify. While the world of climbing continues to evolve, it’s clear that there’s a strong sense of community within the sport. Queer climbers have found not just spaces where they belong but spaces where they can thrive. From gyms to outdoor crags, climbing has become a place of celebration, a space where LGBTQIA+ individuals are encouraged to be themselves and are surrounded by others who are ready to cheer them on. It’s a community that’s united in their love for the sport, and in their celebration of one another’s diversity.

Odds are if you’ve been in a climbing gym, you may have taken a second to notice all the different shoes people are climbing in. With different brands, colors, comfort, and more there’s a lot of variety when it comes to shoes – and we mean a lot.

So, you’re new to climbing, maybe you got really stoked and recently became a member at your local gym. You’re in the honeymoon phase of your climbing journey, and it’s a beautiful, magical time. The energy is through the roof, you’re starting to crush grades you once thought impossible, and maybe you’re even meeting some solid people who could end up being lifelong belay buddies. You’re pumped, you’re psyched, and every fiber of your being wants to be on the wall 24/7. But here’s the thing—take a deep breath. The classic mistake? Charging in every single day like you’re training for the World Cup. Look, I’m not here to kill your vibe or tell you to tone down the excitement. Stoke is good. Great, even! But there’s a sweet spot—a balance between climbing all the time and progressing in a way that keeps you strong and injury-free.

Hosted at Movement Plano this past weekend, 21 of the country’s top Speed Climbers assembled for USA Climbing’s Speed Training Camp. Offering our Climbers premium lessons to aid in keeping their excellent performance this season. (photo by: Phuc Nguyen) Head Coach of the Team CRG Atlanta, Olexiy Shulga, led the wonderful climbing program. Utilizing her extensive expertise working with some of the county’s highest performing Speed Climbers. Various officials from the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee also made the journey to support our athletes, like Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach, Amanda Fleece, and Senior Psychological Services Provider, Sean McCann. (photo by: Phuc Nguyen) Beyond just tuning their skills in a more collaborative space, this camp gave the opportunity to bring together athletes from around the country to make bonds, compare programming, and share techniques. A chance some only get during competitions.

When we aim to level up our climbing, many of us tend to focus on finger strength, endurance, technique, or power. While these aspects of training are crucial to climbers, one element we often overlook is mobility. Before diving into how mobility can supercharge your climbing, let’s clarify what it really means.

Walk into any climbing gear shop and you might feel like you've entered a hardware store on another planet. Walls lined with technicolor shoes, endless arrays of ropes, and about 80 different kinds of metal bits and pieces with names like "grigri" and "ATC" that sound more like Pokémon than climbing gear. But here's the good news: getting started is actually pretty simple. While experienced climbers might geek out over their trad rack or the latest belay device, beginners only need a few key pieces of gear. The rest can come later as you grow into your climbing journey. Planning your first visit? Check out our beginner's guide here.

We sat down with Movement Colorado member and Golden Meet-Up Group leader Jacqui to chat about all things climbing. Check out our conversation below!

We’ve all been there. You’re crushing your gym projects, feeling like royalty in the V4 realm, and then someone says, “Let’s take it outside.” “Everything’s a hold because it’s not color-coded,” they claim. “And the scenery is epic—c’mon, it’ll be an adventure,” they add. Suddenly, you’re in the back of a Subaru, headed to a crag you’ve never heard of, fumbling with a topo map and guidebook, trying to decode cryptic beta while sweating over the great unknown.

What is a Spray Wall?