If you're looking to take your home workouts to the next level, consider turning your garage gym into a full-body training station by adding climbing holds to the mix. Not only will a climbing wall give you a killer workout, but it’s also a fun way to build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Plus, it’s a unique addition that will make your garage gym stand out!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to get started with adding climbing holds to your garage space. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or just want to spice up your fitness routine, building a climbing wall at home can be easier than you think!
Why Add a Climbing Wall to Your Garage Gym?
When it comes to fitness, variety is key. A climbing wall brings a whole new dynamic to your workout, targeting muscles you might miss with weights or machines. Here are a few benefits:
- Full-body engagement: Climbing challenges your upper body, core, and lower body all at once, making it a great way to hit those hard-to-reach muscle groups.
- Functional strength: It helps build real-world, functional strength by improving grip, balance, and coordination.
- Low-impact workout: Unlike some cardio exercises, climbing is easier on your joints while still giving you a solid workout.
- Mental boost: Climbing also engages your mind, forcing you to problem-solve and stay focused.
Step 1: Plan Your Garage Climbing Wall Design
Before you start buying climbing holds, you need to figure out how much space you have to work with. The beauty of a garage wall is you can adapt it to fit the dimensions of your space, whether it's a full-height wall or a shorter section above your weight rack.
- Wall surface: If your garage walls are unfinished or just drywall, you may need to add plywood to support the climbing holds. We recommend using 3/4” thick plywood, securely mounted to wall studs for durability.
- Space needed: Climbing walls don’t need a ton of space. Even a 4ft by 8ft area can offer plenty of variety for a home bouldering wall. If your ceiling is high, you can even create a vertical section, or if space is tight, go for a more horizontal (traverse) design.
For design inspiration, check out our DIY Climbing Wall Design Guide.
Step 2: Choose the Right Climbing Holds
Now for the fun part: choosing your holds! Climbing holds come in all shapes and sizes, from jugs and slopers to crimps and pinches, each offering different challenges for your workouts.
- For beginners: Start with larger, more comfortable holds like jugs and positive edges. These are great for building grip strength while keeping the moves accessible.
- For advanced climbers: If you’re looking for a serious challenge, add smaller holds like crimps and pinches to test your strength and technique.
- Variety: Mix up the styles to keep your wall interesting. A combination of larger holds for warm-ups and smaller holds for more intense sessions is ideal.
You can browse through our climbing hold packages to find sets that match your skill level and wall design.
Step 3: Install Your Holds
Once your wall is ready, it's time to install the climbing holds. Most hold packages come with all the hardware you need, including T-nuts and bolts, to securely attach them to the plywood.
- Start simple: Arrange a basic route or path on your wall using larger holds. Test it out and make adjustments as needed.
- Get creative: As you get more comfortable, change up the hold placement or create different “problems” (routes) for yourself. You can also add volumes (larger features) to give your wall even more texture and depth.
Check out this guide for detailed instructions on setting up your climbing holds.
Step 4: Integrate Climbing into Your Workout Routine
Once your wall is ready to go, you can start incorporating it into your garage gym workouts. Here are some ideas:
- Warm-up and cool down: Use the wall to warm up with easy traversing (side-to-side climbing) or practice grip holds as part of your cooldown routine.
- Circuit training: Combine climbing with other exercises, like pull-ups, squats, or kettlebell swings, for a killer circuit workout.
- Endurance training: Time yourself to see how long you can stay on the wall without coming down, focusing on endurance and grip strength.
Climbing will complement your traditional strength training while offering something new and exciting to look forward to during your workout sessions.
Step 5: Keep It Safe
Finally, make sure your setup is safe. Here are a few tips:
- Crash pads: Invest in good quality crash pads to place underneath your wall in case of falls.
- Proper form: Start slow and focus on proper form, especially if you’re new to climbing. This will help prevent injuries.
- Secure holds: Periodically check the holds to make sure they’re still tight and securely mounted.
With the right setup and safety precautions, you’ll be crushing it in no time.
Ready to Climb?
Adding climbing holds to your garage gym is a surefire way to level up your home workout experience. Whether you're looking for a fun way to build strength or just need a break from the monotony of traditional exercises, a climbing wall has endless potential. Get creative with your wall design, mix up your holds, and most importantly—have fun!
Browse our selection of climbing hold packages to get started, or check out DIY wall design to inspire your home setup.