Rock climbing is a type of mountain climbing in which the primary climbing surface is natural rock cliffs or artificial climbing walls. Climbing typically requires no tools—climbers rely solely on their limbs and body balance to move upward. Depending on the nature of the holds, hands and arms must employ a variety of gripping techniques, such as grasping, clenching, hooking, hooking in, bracing, pushing, and pressing, which places high demands on both strength and flexibility. Tip: Always wear a harness and belay rope, and use proper gear to minimize risks.

Natural rock climbing can be undertaken solo or in groups, with climbers assisting one another. In artificial climbing competition venues, the holds on the wall can be adjusted to suit each climber’s skill level; during the climb, no external assistance is permitted, and the first climber to reach the top wins.

Seeking out a sheer cliff face in the wild to scale is the ultimate aspiration for rock climbers—a pinnacle of their passion. During the climb, you engage your body and limbs in a dynamic struggle against gravity; you experience the exhilarating thrill and profound emotional resonance that climbing ignites; and you confront the intense psychological fear that arises when you surge upward only to suddenly slip downward at great heights. Yet with the safety of a climbing rope, you can regroup, find new holds, and repeat the process again and again. As you persist in overcoming the urge to give up, constantly reminding and encouraging yourself to push forward with unwavering determination, you will eventually stand atop the summit—and there, you’ll realize just how extraordinary you truly are.

1. The later you act, the better.

Beginner rock climbers often reach for the hold too early when executing a dynamic move. Doing so prolongs the time your body is off the wall and, rather than delaying the move, it can easily dissipate much of your forward momentum. The correct technique is to perform an “upward jump” as fully as possible—try to extend your body upward as far as you can, and only release your grip once you’ve reached the highest point.

2. Slapping the wall and slapping the spot

When you first start practicing dynamic moves in training, they can feel almost impossible to execute—like the target point is just out of reach. Under no circumstances should you get discouraged and give up. Instead, begin by practicing wall strikes, progressing step by step. Aim to jump as high as you can to tap the highest possible spot, then set a new goal once you’ve achieved that. Keep repeating this process, gradually moving your target closer and closer to the original hand placement, until you can finally leap up and grab it.

3. When practicing well-executed dynamic movements, engage all the relevant muscles, rather than relying solely on those used during the initial phase of the movement. Once you can identify the target hand position, apply a gentle, brief force with your hand—this alone is enough to recruit the muscles responsible for gripping that position. If you are unable to locate the target hand position on your own, use a rope or ask someone to assist you in achieving it, and continue practicing repeatedly.

4. Push with your foot

Remember that in dynamic movements, the vast majority of your power comes from your legs. Try to shift as much of your weight as possible onto your supporting leg—the foot you’ll actually be jumping off from. Also, choose shoes that are sufficiently cushioned, as this will allow you to engage your leg muscles most effectively.

5. Make effective use of spring-like movements: to generate greater jumping power, perform vertical oscillations before each dynamic move—moving upward first and then downward—much like a spring extending and contracting. This will enable you to reach the target hold with maximum force. If there isn’t enough space to execute a true spring-like movement, you can still rely on swinging your body to build momentum.