Movement Blog

With the holiday season approaching, we know you’re starting to look for the perfect gift for the climber in your life. Staring at racks of carabiners, draws, cams, and belay devices can feel overwhelming—and while no trad climber we know would turn down another black Totem, sometimes the best gifts don’t add weight to a harness. We pulled together a guide of our favorite ideas that skip the hardware and give something meaningful, useful, and memorable. From those planning their next big wall adventure to the brand-new climber, we’ve got something for everyone.

If you’re thinking about trying indoor climbing, welcome. You’re in the right place. Finding the best gym as a beginner can feel like a lot (“Do I need gear? Will everyone be better than me?”). The truth is: choosing a beginner-friendly climbing gym makes a huge difference in how comfortable, confident, and excited you feel starting out. A great beginner gym gives you more than walls to climb. It gives you friendly people, approachable classes, clearly marked routes, and a community that cheers you on as you take your first steps off the ground. If you happen to live near one of the Movement Climbing, Yoga, & Fitness locations across the U.S., you’ll find all of that plus yoga, fitness, events, and a whole lot of encouragement.

In the spirit of the upcoming spooky season, let's talk about something that all climbers face at some point on the walls — fear. Fear is a normal reaction to risk and your body's way of protecting you from harm. The problem occurs when fear bubbles up despite being prepared in a situation that is relatively low-risk. How do we convince our self-protecting brains that a controlled lead fall at the gym is not equivalent to free soloing El Cap? Keep reading for our best tips on how to approach the most anxiety-inducing situations in climbing.

As climbers, gear is a vital part of the sport we love. It comes to the gym, iconic crags, climbing trips, and some pieces have been with us potentially for years. Despite all the great memories, identifying when it’s time to replace gear is an important safety measure that should not be overlooked. Some signs may be obvious when gear is at the end of its life, others may be more subtle.

It’s been a couple of months since we opened the doors to Movement Mountain View, and we’re already feeling the love from our new community. Whether you live nearby or you're just visiting the Bay Area, this space was built to bring people together — to climb, connect, train, and unwind. If you haven’t stopped by yet, here’s a glimpse of what makes this location special.

Climbing holds are an integral part of modern indoor climbing, but they haven’t always existed in the form we know today. The evolution of climbing holds has shaped the sport in ways we often take for granted. The types of holds that were created dictate the style of movement possible, influence how climbers train, and even precipitated the development of indoor climbing as its own distinct sport. Without these innovations, indoor climbing would look vastly different than it does today.

Are you looking for a new fitness hobby to stay active and meet new people? Finding your community can feel overwhelming, but what if your gym could also be your social hub? At Movement Gyms, we make it easy to connect with others while improving your fitness. Whether you’re new to the area or just ready to try something different, our climbing, fitness classes, and community challenges create the perfect space to build strength and friendships.

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.