Movement Blog

If you've been climbing for a little while, you've probably heard someone mention crimping or even been told to stop doing it so much. And if you're newer, you might not have thought much about your grip at all. You're just holding on however you can.

It's one of the most common questions we hear from people considering their first visit. And the answer is straightforward: NO. (Surprising, right?!) Climbing looks like it requires almost superhuman strength when viewed from the outside, but once you learn proper technique and body mechanics, it becomes something you'll fall in love with. Climbing is unique because it's a sport that builds the strength it requires as you progress. You don't arrive with it; you develop it by showing up.

The new year has a funny way of making us reflective. There is the urge to set big goals and lock into a new routine, but often you can find yourself in the same old routine. Don’t get us wrong, consistency is great! There is comfort in the ritual of the same warmup you love, maybe you have an elaborate chalk ritual to get you in the right headspace. But sometimes a small shake-up is exactly what you need to spark new motivation, break through a plateau, or just make climbing feel fresh and fun again. If your sessions have started to feel a little… samey, here are three easy ways to mix things up and keep the stoke high.

When it comes to picking out a climbing harness, it can feel a little overwhelming. There are dozens of options, each claiming to be the most comfortable, lightweight, or “next-level performance” choice. But let’s be real…most harnesses do the same job, and at the end of the day, the best one is the one that fits your body and your style.

The crisp promise of peak friction temps is here…or at least on its way, depending on when and where you’re reading this. With it comes the familiar question, whispered from the mouths of seasoned climbers and those still fresh to this awesome community:

Your first time walking into your local climbing gym can feel like traveling to a new country. And that culture shift can be intimidating. But not to worry, we have compiled a list of simple etiquette to keep that good vibe rolling and make everyone’s session more fun. Here’s how to blend in, stand out for the right reasons, and maybe even make a few new belay buddies along the way.

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you are a dad, climbing with a dad, or just channeling peak dad energy year-round... You've come to the right blog. The Team at Movement Portland compiled a list of the best (i.e, worst) they got.

Feeling like your summer is filling up quicker than you can make plans? The longer days, the bigger goals, the endless possibilities. Whatever you have your sights set on this summer, one thing we know for sure is that at Movement, summer starts here.

Looking for a summer camp that keeps kids active, engaged, and maybe just a little obsessed with climbing? Movement’s climbing summer camps are designed for kids who love to move, explore, and challenge themselves in new ways. Whether they’re brand new to climbing or already scaling everything in sight, our youth climbing camps offer the perfect mix of structured instruction, exciting challenges, and all-out fun.

Climbing grades. Love them, hate them, argue about them in the parking lot—they're a root part of climbing culture. There are a ton of grading systems across the world of climbing, but the goal is to come to a shared understanding of what you can expect when venturing into the vertical unknown. Here at Movement, we like to use the Yosemite Decimal System (more on this later).