Types of crimps climbing Nov 19, 2025 · Crimps When I first started rock climbing, I thought that holding on to a crimp would be an impossible task. In special cases, crimps offer space for only a few fingers and therefore a better climbing technique is required. May 1, 2024 · Crimp Climbing 101 covers the essential techniques and training tips for using crimps. They come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they’re meant to be climbed! To help you get started on your first climb or master the art of crimping, here’s an introduction to each type of climbing hold: Crimp Crimp holds are the smallest of all the climbing holds. You can execute this grip technique by placing your fingertips on a handhold and then curling your fingers at the second joint. There are several primary categories of holds, each with unique characteristics that influence how climbers Oct 29, 2020 · For climbing, this means building up our strength and resilience to the full crimp position in a methodical and controlled manner. Apr 5, 2024 · When it comes to climbing, understanding the different types of holds and their names is crucial for any climber. Happened to me! May 8, 2023 · Uncover the secrets of indoor climbing holds! Learn how to conquer jugs, slopers, pinches, pockets, & footholds like a pro with our comprehensive guide. Learn techniques for crimps, slopers, cracks, overhangs, and more to enhance your climbing prowess and efficiency. Great and funny gift idea. The only exception is that larger holds like volumes and flakes aren't regularly used on trees. capsulitis) of the PIP or DIP joints Can be Then you could extend to “slimper” (sloping crimp), “finger bucket” (big incut) and some of us old climbers still refer to really large slopers as “pushers” since that company introduced them back in the 90’s. Crimp climbing, also known as crimping, is a climbing grip where your fingertips are the only thing that touches a crimp climbing hold. You can learn more about preparing your fingers for the stresses of climbing in our article on finger strength (currently only available in German). Jan 6, 2021 · We invite you to read an article on the types of climbing holds. Perfect for beginners and seasoned climbers alike! In this video, Hannah and Shauna cover everything you need to know to crimp your way up the wall, from the basics of grip types for crimping and a masterclass in body positioning to work through Crimps Crimps form a relatively straight grip structure giving space to both hands to fit on the hold. Mar 12, 2025 · Some rock climbing holds are friendly, like those nice ergonomic jugs. rocke This rock climbing technique, also known as crimping, can be stressful on your arms so make sure you take a break from it when needed, building your strength a bit at a time until you have full confidence in your grip. The difference between a half crimp and full crimp is our thumb positioning. On the flip side, most climbers will find closed positions transfer well to many climbing movement styles and rock types. Jan 5, 2024 · Crimps From one of the easiest holds to use to one of the most challenging types of holds…the crimp! Crimps are small, positive edges or ledges that restrict your grip to the first two sections of your fingers. These are the main types of holds that you find in rock climbing gyms. Building the robustness of the structures in our hand that the full crimp stresses takes patience, consistency, and time. But, to be a well-rounded, advanced climber, being good at crimping is critical. But don't worry, it will be quite easy to do so as the names make lot of sence. The half crimp is Nov 4, 2022 · Crimps (and Edges and Chips) The next most common rock climbing hold is the crimp. to/3J6fNdD Climbing Shoes: https://amzn. Typically this means using a hangboard 1-2x/week with a slow and steady progression. Let’s have a look at 6 Basic Grip Types to get you started. In particular, I will be talking how medical illustration pertains to rock climbing, however this can be extrapolated to other sports. This grip is crucial in many climbing scenarios, especially in bouldering or when tackling technically demanding routes. (From 2021) Jul 18, 2022 · Sometimes you have lovely big slabs to grab onto with your entire hand, and other times you need to get creative with tiny holds and reach down rather than up. Jul 10, 2023 · 3. Typically, they However, climbing with crimped fingers is a part of climbing and is unavoidable on very small edges. On the other hand, credit card crimps, for example, can feel torturous and make you question why you even like climbing. These types of holds require strong finger strength and precise technique. Here you can find some of the most common types of holds, their uses, and how to hold them. I recently became aware of different crimping types like the 3 finger, half, full, and possibly other types. Roof (120°+): Jugs and large pinches dominate, with foot jibs for toe Apr 18, 2019 · Crimping crimps is not about just finger strength. Aug 20, 2025 · Introduction to Climbing Holds Climbing holds are essential components of both indoor and outdoor climbing, serving as the points of contact for climbers to grip and maneuver. It also depends on if you are bouldering or rope climbing. Uses of Indoor Climbing Holds Indoor climbing holds serve various purposes beyond just providing handholds and footholds for climbers. Because of this, it’s important to understand the main types of handholds you will use climbing. Get My eBook: The Crux ( My personal memoir on climbing ): https://thecrux. The problem? Sometimes it’s tough to know which climbing grips to use and how to use them properly. Check out this guide to master the basic six rock climbing grips and finger holds and dominate your next visit to the gym. Here, we present the types of holds you’ll encounter in a climbing gym, along with their specific characteristics and the challenges they present. Feb 1, 2025 · Rock climbing holds vary in size, texture, color, material, etc. With all of the possible finger positions, it can be difficult to discern which is best used when and why an athlete might choose one over another. Aug 25, 2019 · What is “synovitis”? Unfortunately, right now most of the climbing community not to mention medical community for the most part uses the term synovitis as a catch-all type of phrase for a few different injuries Irritation of the synovial sheath of the tendon Usually directly along the tendon sheath Irritation of the synovial joint capsule (e. The weight on your arms increases as the rock gets steeper and the footholds get smaller. Jugs teach you about rest and recovery, crimps about precision and finger strength, pinches about the importance of thumb involvement, slopers about trust and body positioning, and pockets about strategic finger usage and the risks of overloading. IMHO you will work your way up to dangerous crimps faster bouldering. Below is 14 of the most common climbing holds that you’ll see indoors and outdoors as well as the ideal technique for using them. Jul 13, 2021 · The complete guide on all things crimps. This guide covers everything from jug holds to crimps to improve your climbing skills. There is a steep learning curve to using slopers efficiently. In this article, we take a look at 9 different rock types of climbing holds you’ll encounter as you start to get better at rock climbing. Edges are similar holds with less-defined lips to keep your fingers in place. Nov 20, 2023 · What is a 'Crimp' in Rock Climbing?: In the climbing world, a 'crimp' is a type of grip used on small edges or ledges where only the tips of the fingers can gain purchase. Body position is critical to using slopers, but more on that in future posts. They come in various shapes and sizes, crafted to mimic real rock features or create specific challenges. com is in high demand, secure it today! Bouldering and climbing hold types Bouldering and climbing involve a wide variety of hold types, each presenting its own unique challenges and requiring different techniques. Feb 2, 2025 · Using the right climbing grips reduces injuries and makes the experience more enjoyable. Understanding the various types of climbing holds can directly impact a climber’s performance and technique. Climbers Jan 19, 2021 · Whether you are hangboarding, sport climbing, board climbing or bouldering, the way that you grip a hold says a lot about your climbing. Climbing holds vary in shape, size, and difficulty, offering climbers a rich and diverse experience. A set of 8 dual tex crimps with a comfy radius and varying range if positivity. Nov 9, 2022 · Open or closed positions? It is thought that open grip positions are lower risk, but this type of training can limit some movement patterns and reduce maximal strength potential across the entire grip type range. Sep 11, 2023 · Master climbing grips & rock features. All three are important in May 17, 2023 · Bouldering holds come in various different shapes, sizes, textures, and functions. From large, easy-to-grip jugs to the more precise and demanding crimps, climbers must adapt their skills to navigate the various holds encountered on the wall. If not, you stay as far away as possible, marveling at the finger strength of those crimp-loving crazies. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. There are two ways to grip a crimp hold – with a full crimp or an open crimp. These types of climbing holds are usually on more advanced climbs. The thumb wraps over the index finger, providing additional pressure and Jan 4, 2024 · In today's Tips & Tricks episode, we are going to look at different types of crimp grips. At the heart of this interaction lies the Illustration of the slope (a), half crimp (b) and full crimp (c) grip techniques used during rock-climbing. Full Crimp Grip Position: In the full crimp, the fingers are bent sharply, with the first knuckle at a 90-degree angle. Crimps are small climbing holds and there are a few different types of crimp grip: open crimp, half crimp, and full crimp. 4 types of holds commonly found in climbing gyms and outdoors. Crimps are small holds that have a thin ledge only big enough for the pads of your fingers. You may get away with avoiding the crimp ladders (aka a straightforward Learning the different types of climbing holds like jugs, crimps, and slopers can transform frustration into progress, giving you the tools to tackle any route. Jul 2, 2019 · Helping my friend brian with his project which involves a lot of crimp holds. What makes a sloper different from other climbing holds? Types of Climbing Holds for Beginners Many types of climbing holds provide new challenges to help you learn. Jan 12, 2022 · New to climbing? Our beginner's guide to climbing moves, holds, & technique provides the information you need to improve today. Learning climbing holds names and types is essential to improving your climbing. Apr 14, 2015 · Enjoy the puns and visuals made to explain the names of six common climbing hold types. In this article, we’ll touch on five categories of climbing holds, go over how to identify them, and offer some general guidelines for using proper technique on each. A climbing hold is a shaped grip that is usually attached to a climbing wall so that climbers can grab or step on it. If you want to get started as a rock climber, there are six types of rock climbing grips you need to learn. Half Crimp Perhaps the ‘Pièce de résistance’ of climbing grips, the ‘Half-Crimp’ is the most versatile finger position, performing well on crimps, ledges and slopey holds. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or an experienced climber looking to improve your skills, familiarizing yourself with grip terminology can make a world of difference in your climbing abilities. Climbing is a sport that demands a nuanced understanding of how to interact with the rock or holds. Slab (less than 90°): Small holds, crimps, and footholds work well. Chips are even tinier holds that you see used mostly as foot holds and in advanced climbing routes. You grab slopers with open hands. Sep 21, 2022 · Climbing up tall rock climbing walls takes plenty of upper body strength, but your hands–specifically, how you use rock climbing grips–can make or break your experience. For most climbing, strive to maintain a three-finger open-handed grip position or a four-finger open-handed grip position. Find out what they look like and when to use them. From crimps to jugs, pockets to slopers, the world of climbing holds is If you are a beginner, be sure to check out the video for the very basic tips for climbing crimps! My Climbing/Workout Gear: https://amzn. Learn about different types of climbing holds and get tips on how to use them. Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem Climbing holds are classified based on their shape and orientation. g. Crimps are mainly horizontally positioned. Nov 19, 2025 · A crimp in rock climbing is a type of climbing hold that will only fit your finger pads. You want to be ready for this when you go climbing for two reasons: first, you’ll be stronger and better adapted to it, and second, it will minimize your risk of injury. The best grip Master the art of bouldering with our guide to different climbing holds, including their unique characteristics and the best techniques for grasping and holding them. Mar 27, 2019 · Neil Gresham gets to grips with handholds: Page-one of climbing technique is making the best use of the holds, and this became apparent when we looked at footwork earlier in this series. These are also easily the most common holds Feb 2, 2025 · Ready to take your climbing skills to the next level? Check out our guide on the different types of climbing holds, and learn how to use them like a pro! I am pretty new to bouldering/rock climbing and I often hear people talking about different types of holds at my indoor gym I go to. There are different types of slopers and you can have slopey jugs, ledges, crimps, etc. Crimp Climbing Technique – Explained Thoroughly One of the primordial steps in attaining expertise as a climber is the knowledge to identify the various holds on rocky patterns and climb them accordingly. Always try an open crimp first and focus on your foot In today's episode, we're going to look at different types of crimp grips There are three basic types: the open crimp, the full crimp, and the three-finger grip. Learn about materials, mounting techniques, and strategic placement to enhance your climbing experience safely. Discover the 7 essential climbing wall grip types every beginner should know. Oct 10, 2022 · If someone asks you for beta, understand the names and shapes of climbing holds to discuss climbing terminology. Highly recommended! Aug 10, 2024 · Technique for properly “crimping” will vary, but in all types of crimps, climbers must load a significant amount of their body weight onto their fingertips. Jun 23, 2018 · Learn here the nine different types of handholds that you'll encounter on cliffs and how to use each with specific hand movements and techniques. Discover the different rock climbing grips. Tree climbing holds follow the same patterns as the holds you would see in a climbing gym. Check out this overview of the various climbing holds and ways of holding them. Sep 25, 2023 · Explore the diverse world of indoor rock climbing holds. Crimp holds are small holds that only have enough space for fingertips. Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most important — and risky — hold types in climbing: crimps. Hard crimping will require you to practice the three different types of crimps so you can flawlessly execute each one. Jugs and slopers and pinches and crimps. Jan 31, 2022 · But, in my opinion, it’s really important to train the full crimp grip position because a lot of hard moves on rock revolve around crimping really hard on small holds. Climbing holds are the actual rock that you use to grip and pull yourself up on. May 28, 2018 · There is many types of climbing holds and terms to remember. com is available for sale! Check it out on ExpiredDomains. Indoor climbing, sport climbing, trad climbing, bouldering. All three are important in climbing, and if you want to be a good climber, you shouldn't neglect any of them. Oct 15, 2021 · A half crimp is a type of grip climbers use in the sports of bouldering and rock climbing. By strategically incorporating various hold types such as crimps, slopers, pinches, and jugs, route setters can cater to climbers of all skill levels and provide a well-rounded climbing experience. Try to work on both types of crimps as much as you can. Different types of crimps, when to crimp, and how to do it! Sep 27, 2024 · Before getting better at climbing crimps, you must understand what a crimp is and how to use it. Climbers use a combination of these holds to navigate routes up climbing walls. to/2tCoPet Jan 31, 2023 · To master that latest project or maybe stick to the wall longer than two moves, it’s essential to know how to use different types of rock climbing holds. In this video I cover 3 mistakes beginner climbers make and confuse it with lack of finger strength. Here are the key types of crimping grips, their differences and some tips and exercises to increase your finger strength. Full Crimp and Half Crimp Grips. Why are there so many grip positions? What are they? The Three-Finger Drag This is the grip position defined by Climbing Technique: Handholds. I've heard of slopers and crimp holds but I haven't found a good overall explanation of them all anywhere. These holds are defined by their rounded, smooth surfaces that lack a positive edge, making them uniquely challenging to grip. From the three types of crimps, when to use them, and how to improve your crimp strength. Finger Anatomy also plays into it, for example some people have really short pinkies and tend to either 3fd a lot of holds, or use more of a "chisel" grip (middle and ring finger crimping, index and pinky open) when others might half crimp. For the most part just do what feels comfortable at this stage. Armed with the knowledge of how to hold crimps, practice, and finger-strength exercises, you'll be Even experienced climbers don’t hang onto crimps for longer than is necessary. Crimps can be extremely narrow. Feb 24, 2023 · Being able to hold and control crimps is one of the most useful skills you can have in your climbing arsenal. Learn how to use handholds here. Oct 13, 2018 · About this item Funny Rock Climbing design for climbers. Depending on the wall slope, both the degree of difficulty and the use of force increase. May 8, 2024 · The Basic Types of Climbing Holds In the world of rock climbing, holds are what you grip or step on to move up the wall. Knowing the different types of holds is important for controlling the difficulty of your route and creating interesting and fun moves . While climbing holds may look simple enough, understanding the nuances of each type of hold is an essential part of climbing; and a lot harder than it looks!While there are only a couple of types of holds in the climbing gym, they come in thousands of shapes and sizes which affects the way you are going to use them when climbing. They're your best friends on a tough climb, offering a solid hold to catch your Jul 5, 2021 · Hi guys, Tiffany here to talk a bit about how medical illustration can work to bring exposure to sports medicine and under-represented sports. Crimp holds are small, sharp holds that require a lot of finger strength to grip onto. May 15, 2018 · In this video we show the three different ways you can using crimping to exert more pressure on a hold. Vertical (90°): A balanced mix of all hold types. Include each hold on your indoor climbing wall to familiarize your hands, arms, legs, and feet with their feeling to quickly learn how to scale the wall. With a full crimp, your knuckles will be angled sharply, and some climbers place their thumb over their index or middle finger for extra power. sloper Slopers are rounded holds that are more difficult to grasp than jugs and ledges. Learn the 3 main types of crimp grips — open Crimping is a technique climbers and boulderers use to grip small holds. com. If you’re good at them, you seek out all the crimp boulders and routes in the gym. Learn everything you need to know about climbing holds in this comprehensive guide! We look at all the different types of holds, how to hold the hard ones like slopers and crimps, and technique Discover the 5 best climbing holds for your indoor wall—from jugs to crimps to slopers. Let's break down the basic types you’ll encounter. Jun 23, 2024 · Crimps can be especially tough on the fingers and are commonly used in training to improve finger strength and endurance. The Takeaway Each type of climbing hold presents its own unique set of challenges and lessons. May 31, 2024 · Discover 12 different rock-climbing hold types—from jugs and crimps to slopers and pinches—and learn how each one builds strength, and coordination. There are three different crimp grips, the open hand grip, half crimp and full crimp grip. Climbing is an activity that’s practiced all over the world, and because of its popularity there are many different types of climbing that have been… Climbing is a sport that tests not only your physical strength but also your ability to understand and use different holds. The smaller, narrower and less positive the surface of the crimp is then the harder it is to use. Unlike crimps or jugs, slopers require climbers to rely on friction, surface contact, and precise body positioning rather than pure finger Jun 23, 2024 · When setting bouldering routes, the placement of different types of holds is crucial in creating a challenging and engaging climbing experience. May 19, 2025 · Climbing gyms are full of holds of various sizes, shapes, and colors, but did you know that almost all of these holds actually fall into several categories of types of holds? Understanding the types of rock climbing holds in your gym and knowing the lexicon can help you talk about routes and understand better how to send. Hold Type: JUGS Hold Type: CRIMPS Hold Type: SLOPERS Hold Type: PINCHES Aug 27, 2025 · The angle of your climbing wall directly affects which holds work best. Dec 16, 2022 · Open hand, half crimp, closed crimp, and full crimp are the four different types of grips that can be used for crimping. Mar 1, 2025 · Climbers use crimps all the time because many climbing routes have these small edges as their only holds. Jugs are big, easy to hold grips. The slope grip is characterised by a flexion of the finger joints. JUGS Jugs are large, easy-to-grip holds. Feb 16, 2024 · Whether you’re looking for a better understanding of crimps, slopers, pinches and other indoor climbing gems, or want to master the singular vocabulary of the climbing community, you’re at the right place! 1. Overhang (100°–120°): Larger holds (jugs, pinches, big slopers) are essential. ***SYMMETRICAL*** Looking to master the different climbing finger grips and techniques rock climbers use to improve their technique? Here are the top7 techniques and injury preventions. Slopers Sloper climbing holds – Photo: bouldering. lv Slopers throw nearly every climber the first time they try one. Feb 17, 2025 · Introduction Slopers are one of the six classic types of rock climbing holds found in both climbing gyms and outdoor routes. May 10, 2022 · Going back to the previous century, the full-crimp was the grip that old-timers used for virtually every type of hold, including slopers! This grip involves fully bending and closing the fingers and hyper-extending (bending back) the first finger joints whilst locking the thumb over the index finger nail. There are three basic types: the open crimp, the full crimp, and the three-finger grip. I usually try to take some days (more then 2) off from crazy hard crimps when I feel soreness in between my knuckles after a day of bouldering . Oct 23, 2024 · Crimps may be the most polarizing climbing hold. climbingblogger. They are characterized by their narrow width and typically have a small edge or lip that climbers can grasp with their fingertips. Start reading this guide. Learn proper techniques, body positioning, and training tips to improve your indoor climbing skills and prevent injuries. The crimp involves curling the fingers, particularly the first phalanges, over a ledge, allowing Jul 9, 2020 · The Six Basic Rock Climbing Grips and Finger Holds To be a successful climber, you have to be able to traverse the various rock types using the right holds. I was wondering if anyone would be able to highlight some of the basic common types of holds. On most walls, climbing holds are arranged in paths called routes, by specially trained route setters. From jugs to crimps, slopers to pinches, and the materials they're made of, this guide dives deep into the evolution, types, and intricacies of climbing holds, helping climbers and enthusiasts better understand their indoor climbing experience. The position of our thumb while crimping, as well as the angle our fingers and knuckles make, are indicators of the openness of a crimp grip. When do I use which? Dec 4, 2020 · When the climbing requires a full weighting of the crimps, strive to hang within three grip types. Indoor rock climbing holds come in all shapes and sizes. While it’s super effective for gripping small holds, it also puts a lot of stress on your fingers, so you’ll want to build up to it gradually. Let’s break down some of the most common and unique types of climbing Discover the different types of climbing holds and how to use them effectively. Learn more about half crimp training here. They are essential for training, setting routes, and even for competition climbing. drjdu ajvij kqmf unhl rybbfvvg runwdmw gkmaap fnnll yiqjw gusn qduw hgpxy vqvkufhk yoyvp jbodatv