7 Warm-Up Exercises for Your Next Indoor Climbing Session

Indoor climbing is a full-body workout, so skipping your warm-up isn’t just risky, it’s a fast track to a bad session. Whether you’re tackling your first lead climbing wall or projecting a V5 route, a proper warm-up can boost performance and help prevent injury.

These seven warm-up exercises for your next indoor climbing session will get your body prepped, joints primed, and muscles ready to move.

1. Light Cardio Movement

Begin with 5 minutes of low-impact cardio to raise your heart rate. Jumping jacks, high knees, or brisk walking will do the trick. The goal here is to get your blood flowing and your muscles ready for action.

Climbing demands more than finger strength; it’s a full-body workout. Warming up your legs, arms, and core early ensures you’re not stiff when you get vertical.

2. Arm Circles and Shoulder Rolls

Climbers rely on their shoulders more than they realize. Arm circles and shoulder rolls increase mobility and warm up the rotator cuff area.

Start with 10 small forward arm circles, then 10 in reverse. Follow up with 10 shoulder rolls forward and 10 backward. Maintain an upright posture and move slowly to experience the full range of motion.

3. Wall Shoulder Taps

Wall shoulder taps engage your core, shoulders, and wrists, making them perfect for stabilizing your muscles before a climb.

Face a wall and place your hands shoulder-width apart, about chest height. Step back slightly and shift into a diagonal push-up position. Raise one hand and tap the opposite shoulder. Alternate sides for 3 sets of 10 taps per arm, keeping your core engaged to limit rocking.

4. Wrist Rolls and Tendon Glides

One of the common mistakes beginner indoor climbers make is skipping finger prep. Perform 15–20 wrist rolls in each direction. Next, move into tendon glides. Hold your hand up, fingers straight, and slowly bend them into a hook, then into a full fist, and then back to an open position.

Complete 10 reps per hand. These small movements make a big difference in grip endurance and injury prevention.

5. Bodyweight Squats

You’ll need strong legs and hips to push yourself up the wall, not just arms. Squats are a functional way to wake up your lower body.

Do two sets of 15 bodyweight squats, focusing on form. Keep your chest lifted, knees tracking over your toes, and weight in your heels. Pause for a beat at the bottom to get the most out of each rep.

6. Lunges with a Twist

Mobility in your hip flexors, quads, and spine are all important for climbing’s twisting, turning moves. Move forward into a lunge, and as you lower, twist your torso toward the front leg. Return to standing and switch sides. Aim for 10 reps per leg. The action should be gradual and controlled to avoid straining your knees.

7. Dead Hangs (Optional)

If you’re no longer brand-new to climbing, a short dead hang can warm up your grip.

Use a hangboard or pull-up bar. Hang with arms straight and shoulders engaged (not sagging) with your feet lightly touching the ground if needed. Hold for 10–15 seconds, rest, and repeat one or two times.

Skip this if you’re a beginner or nursing a sore shoulder.

Start Strong, Finish Stronger

These seven warm-up exercises for your next indoor climbing session won’t just prep your muscles; they’ll improve your mental focus, too. A thoughtful warm-up helps you approach the wall with confidence, improved body awareness, and a reduced risk of injury mid-route.

Stay consistent with your climbing progress by making warm-ups a non-negotiable part of your routine. It’s one of the easiest things to do, and one of the most overlooked.