Beginner Indoor Climbing Tips
I Just Started Indoor Climbing: Here Are the Answers to 7 Top Newbie Questions
1
At my gym, it's $20 a day for an adult, $5 for shoes, and $3 for a harness. You don't need to rent a harness if you just want to boulder. Bouldering means climbing on the shorter walls without a rope. If you want to climb on the higher walls, you'll need to be belayed, where a rope is tied to your harness, strung through a pully system on the very top of the wall, and held by a person below you on the ground.
Some climbers only boulder and some only use the belay; some do both. Both are different so you can try each to see which you prefer.
In order to belay someone else, you need to take a class to learn how (which costs $50 a person at my gym). After the two-hour class, once you're tested you can belay anyone. For this reason, it's nice to go climbing with a friend so you can take turns belaying one another.
Obviously these prices are for my local gym in Vermont, so it's best to call ahead to your local gym and ask for prices to see if it's something you want to financially commit to.