What is a Spray Wall?
A spray wall is a bouldering wall covered with holds of different shapes, sizes, and colors arranged seemingly at random – as if they were “sprayed” on with a hose. Unlike standard walls, there are no pre-determined routes to start with, which may feel overwhelming at first glance. With literally endless possibilities, it’s easy to see why spray walls can seem intimidating. But don’t worry—this versatile training tool can be useful for climbers of all skill levels and goals. Not sure where to start? We’ve got some fun and effective ways to get use the spray wall to level up your climbing.
1. Warming Up on the Spray WallSince most spray walls have a variety of hold types, they can be the ideal terrain to kick off your session. Begin with dynamic stretches and warm-up exercises (here are some suggestions), then transition to climbing on comfortable holds and jugs to gradually engage your larger muscle groups. Focus on what feels good and just start moving! Once you’re feeling warm, incorporate smaller holds to gradually wake up your fingers before you hop on your project.
2. Explore climbs set by fellow climbers!Many gyms link their spray walls to apps like Stokt, which allows climbers to digitally set problems, track progress, and connect with other climbers. Check if your gym’s setters or local climbers have uploaded routes and give them a try! You can even target specific weaknesses by selecting climbs that focus on certain hold types or moves —whether you’re mastering gastons or sharpening your dynamic skills, there’s something to challenge every aspect of your climbing.
3. Flex your creative muscles – set your own boulders!Why not step into the role of both routesetter and climber? With the endless variety of holds on a spray wall, you can design unique sequences (without even having to pick up a drill). Setting your own climbs is a great way to deepen your understanding of movement and create a completely tailored experience.
A good way to start is by picking a move you’re confident you can do. From there, gradually make it more challenging. You can up the difficulty by reaching for a farther hold, using a smaller foothold, opting for a less ergonomic handhold, or even switching the hold orientation (like swapping a down-pull for a side-pull). The possibilities are endless.
4. Make it a GameSpruce up your session with some games that will make your session fly by! Here are a few suggestions we have for simple games to try out with your climbing crew!
Add-On
Decide on the climbing order for the players. The first climber creates a single move, and the second climber repeats that move, then adds another. The third player repeats the first two moves and adds their own, and so on. This game tests both memory and endurance! If a player fails to complete the sequence, they’re out of the game.
Eliminator
Think of this as the reverse of Add-On. Start by choosing a climb that feels relatively easy for everyone in the group. The first climber completes the climb and removes one hold from the problem. The next climber must complete the problem without the eliminated hold and then remove another hold. With each round, one hold is eliminated until players can no longer complete the climb. One hold will be eliminated each round, and players stay in the game until they cannot complete a climb with the remaining holds. The last climber standing wins!
Pointer
This one is simple – just hop on the wall and have a friend guide you by either calling out specific holds (e.g., “purple sloper” or “white crimp”) or pointing them out. Your goal? Keep climbing using only the holds they call out until you can’t hang on any longer. It’s a fantastic way to push your endurance and add some creativity to your climbing session!
We hope this guide encourages you to start training on the spray wall! With a little experimentation and consistency, a spray wall can become your ultimate training ground. So, grab your chalk, get on the wall, and make it your own!
Find a spray wall at a Movement gym near you!
