Many experts say that the best way to learn rock climbing, in a safe environment, and also in as fast a way as possible is to use a climbing wall.  You can find climbing walls in basically every outdoor sports facility in the UK in this day and age.  They can also be seen at fairs and carnivals all over the world.  You may have to pay up to ten or fifteen pounds per climb at these carnivals, however, with a membership to a gym, or sports facility, you will almost certainly get free access to a climbing wall, that will allow you to learn or just perfect your technique, in complete safety, and in any weather conditions.  You will of course need some climbing wall equipment.

The usual pieces that you will require is the same as for rope climbing equipment and basically the same as the equipment needed for rock climbing.  The main items that you will need are helmets and ropes.  Yes, for harder climbing walls, you will need to use ropes.  Top of the range climbing walls can have specially made runs put in to them, which will mirror some of the hardest climbs in the world, like the north face for example.  If you are only starting out, you should always climb with an expert, even if you are doing a basic route.

For more advanced users a normal climbing wall would not be sufficient, as it would not give you an extreme workout, and wouldn’t prepare you for an extreme climb.  These more advanced climbers would need a challenging route, and would therefore need extra, and also, more advanced climbing wall equipment.  The equipment needed in these cases would be more like that needed in an actual climb.  This would prepare the climber more for the environment that they will be going in to.