Practical advice from experienced climbers to help beginner and intermediate boulderers build confidence, improve technique and enjoy the process
To put this guide together, we spoke with three highly experienced climbers; Billy Ridal, Zofia Reych and Gracie Martin about the habits and principles they focus on when training and progressing their bouldering.
While their climbing styles and backgrounds differ, a lot of the advice overlapped. The six tips below bring together their collective experience into simple, practical guidance you can apply whether you climb indoors, outdoors, or both.
6 Simple Ways to Boulder Better
Bouldering is easy to fall in love with. All you really need are climbing shoes, chalk and a pad - whether you’re heading outside or meeting friends at the local wall. But once you’ve got the basics dialled, it’s natural to want to climb more efficiently, feel stronger on the wall and progress with confidence.
1. Warm up as best you can at home
Cold conditions, busy walls and limited space can all make warming up properly a challenge. One experienced climber we spoke to highlighted how arriving already warm can make a huge difference, especially when climbing near your limit.
A short routine at home - such as light yoga, shoulder mobility work, easy pull-ups or finger activation - helps prepare your body so your first climbs feel controlled rather than forced.
Beginner takeaway: You don’t need an elaborate routine. Spend 10-15 minutes getting warm and mobile before climbing to reduce injury risk and climb more confidently.
2. Prepare your skin
Skin care came up repeatedly in our conversations. Different rock types, conditions and personal skin types all affect performance, so learning what your skin needs is part of progressing as a climber.
This might mean managing sweat, moisturising dry skin, or filing down rough edges to avoid flappers. Small adjustments can make a big difference to consistency and comfort on the wall.
Beginner takeaway: Pay attention to how your skin feels after sessions. Moisturising at night and keeping rough skin smooth is a good place to start.
3. Consult a coach and a physio
Several of the climbers emphasised that training without guidance can sometimes slow progress or increase injury risk. A coach can help you focus on the right things for your level, while a physio can help you stay healthy long-term.
You don’t need to be an elite climber to benefit from professional support - even occasional input can help you avoid common pitfalls.
Beginner takeaway: One coaching session or physio check-up can help identify weak links early and build better habits from the start.
4. Find a realistic objective and train with that in mind
Having a clear goal was a recurring theme. This doesn’t have to mean chasing grades - many climbers find more motivation in specific movements, styles or inspiring lines.
Training with a meaningful objective gives structure to sessions and helps maintain motivation when progress feels slow.
Beginner takeaway: Choose one simple focus for a few weeks, such as improving footwork or trying steeper climbs, rather than jumping between goals.
5. Work your weaknesses
Whether it’s slab climbing, coordination, or trusting your feet, weaknesses are often where the biggest improvements are hiding. While it’s tempting to stick to what feels comfortable, deliberately practising weaker areas leads to faster overall progress.
Consistency matters more than intensity - small, regular efforts add up.
Beginner takeaway: Add one or two climbs per session that feel awkward or unfamiliar. Expect discomfort - that’s where learning happens.
6. Remember to have fun
Finally, all three climbers agreed on one thing: enjoyment matters. Training plans, structure and goals are useful, but bouldering should still be fun.
Climbing with friends, celebrating small wins and staying playful helps maintain motivation and makes progress sustainable.
Beginner takeaway: If every session feels like a grind, dial it back. Long-term improvement comes from enjoying the process.
These six tips are about building strong foundations rather than chasing quick wins. Focus on good habits, look after your body and keep enjoying your climbing and progress will follow.
Bouldering Guides
Bouldering Mats
-
Made In Britain
-
Made In Britain
-
Made In Britain
-
Made In Britain
-
Made In Britain
-
Made In Britain
Your next reads
