Rainy Day Rock Climbing Ideas for Two Players When the sky turns grey and the rock outside is soaking wet, it does not mean your climbing goals have to grind to a halt. In fact, a rainy day provides the perfect excuse to switch up your routine, focus on technique, or simply enjoy a different kind of climbing experience. For two players, whether partners or best climbing friends, a rainy day can be turned into a productive, fun, and engaging training day. Here are several ways to turn a washout into a climbing victory. Embrace the Indoor Climbing Gym
The most obvious, yet often overlooked, option is to head to your local indoor climbing facility. A rainy day is the perfect time to tackle new routes, climb on different terrain, or just enjoy the comfort of a dry environment. With two players, you can challenge each other on new routes, work on technical skills, or simply enjoy a fun, relaxed session. Many gyms also offer top-roping and lead climbing, giving you a chance to practice both. It’s a great opportunity to get in some quality climbing time without worrying about the weather.
For a more competitive twist, try a “roulette” game where you pick a route for your partner to climb, and they do the same for you. Try picking challenging or slightly out-of-your-comfort-zone routes to push each other. Alternatively, engage in a “longest route” competition, seeing who can stay on the wall the longest on a challenging boulder problem. These games turn a standard gym session into an engaging, collaborative experience. Build a Home Climbing Wall or Bouldering Cave
If you have some space, a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to start building your own home climbing wall or bouldering cave. This is a long-term project that offers endless, personalized climbing opportunities right at home. You can start small, perhaps just a small bouldering wall in a garage or basement, and expand it over time. It’s a great way to build strength, improve technique, and have a fun, customizable climbing space. Building it together can be a rewarding project, allowing you to create a space that meets both of your needs.
For a quicker, simpler option, create a small, temporary bouldering wall in a room. Use a sturdy piece of plywood and some holds, and you’ve got a fun, impromptu climbing area. You can even design specific “routes” or challenges for each other to climb. It’s a fantastic, creative way to enjoy climbing, even when it’s pouring outside. Improve Your Technical Skills with Training Tools
Rainy days are perfect for focusing on technical skills that often get neglected. Use this time to train on a hangboard, strengthening your fingers for those, especially tricky, small-hold climbs. A partner can help track your progress, spot you, and keep you motivated. Try different hangboard routines, focusing on both strength and endurance. You can also work on your core strength with exercises like hanging leg raises, which are crucial for maintaining body position on the wall.
Another excellent, and often underutilized, tool is the campus board. It’s a fantastic way to build explosive power and improve your finger strength. With two, you can challenge each other to see who can climb the farthest, or try to complete a specific sequence of movements. It’s a challenging, but incredibly effective, way to take your climbing to the next level, all while staying dry. Watch Climbing Films and Analyze Technique
Sometimes, the best way to improve is to watch the best in the world. Gather some popcorn, pull up a few classic climbing films, and analyze the techniques of professional climbers. Look at their body position, how they use their feet, and how they approach different, complex sequences. Discuss what they do well and what you can apply to your own climbing. It’s a surprisingly productive, low-energy way to spend a rainy afternoon, providing both entertainment and inspiration.
You can also watch videos of your own past climbs, if you have any recorded. This is an excellent, and often eye-opening, way to see what you’re doing well and where you can improve. Analyzing your own movement, with a partner’s input, can reveal weaknesses and opportunities for improvement that you might not have noticed otherwise. Practice Yoga and Flexibility for Climbers
Climbing requires not just strength, but also flexibility and balance. A rainy day is a great time to focus on improving your flexibility with some yoga, specifically designed for climbers. Focus on stretching your hips, shoulders, and back, as these are all crucial areas for climbers. A partner can help you with your stretches, providing support and ensuring you’re doing them correctly. It’s a relaxing and rejuvenating way to prepare your body for your next, sunnier climbing session.
You can also work on your balance with some simple exercises, such as standing on one leg or using a balance board. These are great for improving your overall coordination and stability, which can directly translate to better performance on the rock. It’s a fun, low-impact way to improve your climbing skills, all while enjoying the comfort of your own home.
A rainy day doesn’t have to put a damper on your climbing plans. By embracing the indoor gym, building your own home climbing, focusing on training tools, studying the pros, or working on your flexibility, you can turn a washout into a productive, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. For two, it’s a fantastic opportunity to train together, motivate each other, and grow your skills, all while staying perfectly dry.
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