Movement Blog

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!

What is a Spray Wall?

You might think route setting is just drilling plastic holds onto walls all day. And sure, that's technically part of it - but saying that's all there is to setting is like saying painting is just putting colors on canvas or cooking is just throwing ingredients in a pan.

Picture this — it's the last week of December. You're not sure what day it is, pie is becoming one of the major food groups, and it's day five of hosting the parents. Doesn't a gym session sound good right about now? Read on for the ultimate guide on bringing your family and friends along with you to Movement, whether you're traveling or hosting this holiday season!

In our gyms, everything is inspected regularly—bolts, anchors, quickdraws, you name it. But out at the crags, where there isn’t a Rockstar facilities team to back you up, it’s up to the climbing community to keep each other safe. At outdoor climbing areas, on public land, there is no routine maintenance or inspection by land management agencies, and all work is done by local volunteers. This means as climbers we are responsible for the bolts and anchors we choose to use! Thankfully, with the help of the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA), caring for the crags you love has never been easier.

Let's be real - there's a lot to love about climbing. As we head into the season of gratitude (and prime sending temperatures), here's a reminder of why we're thankful to be part of this chalk-dusted family:

Ever wonder how your zodiac sign influences your climbing style? We’ve put together a fun climbing horoscope just for you. Find out what the stars say about your next send and discover tips tailored to your sign!

Are you looking for the best climbing gyms in the Bay Area? With four unique locations—soon to be five—in San Francisco, Belmont, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara, Movement Gyms provide world-class experiences for everyone, from first-time climbers to seasoned experts. Each gym offers a distinct combination of climbing terrain, fitness and yoga spaces, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Here are some of our favorite highlights from each location:

The holiday season will be here faster than a Sam Watson speed run. Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite climber? We've got you covered with everything from chalk to crash pads. Here's our comprehensive guide to gifts that'll get any climber psyched - whether they're projecting their first V2 or crushing 5.13.