New to the sport of rock climbing? Learn with bouldering

There are a couple of different avenues for getting started with rock climbing. But nowadays, most people explore the sport for the first time at an indoor climbing gym. In most cases, as a first-timer at a gym, you'll have the option of starting with bouldering, top-roping with a belayer, or auto-belaying by yourself (depending on the facility).   

If you have the option between learning to climb via bouldering or on top ropes and auto-belays, I recommend starting with bouldering. And if bouldering is the only option your local gym offers, well, perfect!  

Here's why bouldering is the best style of climbing to learn first:

• You can do it alone, without a partner/ belayer (but it's more fun with friends)
• It involves less expensive equipment to get started. To learn indoors, you just need climbing shoes and chalk.
• You can enjoy climbing even with a fear of heights. Most indoor boulders don't go higher than 15 feet. 
• You can get tons of repetitions to improve your technique. High volume is good for quickly tracking progress over a short period of time. 
• The intensity of the style makes you stronger, faster. The fast gains you observe while bouldering will keep you coming back for more.