Climbing Technique

Table of Contents

Climbing Technique

From common climbing holds to essential bouldering techniques, we’ll cover the basics in this section. There are three components that make up a well-rounded climber, the first being technical movement.

Climbing Holds

To understand beta—a blow-by-blow description of a boulder problem’s sequence—given by guidebooks or other climbers, you first must understand the fundamental hold types as well as how to use each type of grip.

Jugs

The term “jug” refers to a giant, often incut hold that you can easily grasp with one or two hands—like a jug handle (hence the name). Various forms of j...

Ready to start learning?

Already have an Outside+ membership? Sign in

for only $3.99 $8.25 per month*

SPECIAL PRICE

  • Full access to Outside Learn courses
  • Exclusive training guides, meal plans, and members-only content from Outside Network publications
  • Gaia GPS Premium offline maps and Trailforks Pro global trail maps
  • $50 gear credit at Outside Shop
  • Free Outside Events Cycling Series ride and $30 off your first registration with RunReg, BikeReg, or TriReg
  • More than 600 hours of epic adventure films and series with Outside Watch
Join Outside+

* Memberships are billed annually.