Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Learning the basic method of climbing up a wall
• Part 2 of 2: Climbing up between two walls
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Climbing up walls can be fun and also a good workout. It is also one of the exercises often done by tracers, or people who practice parkour. This article tells you everything you need to know if you too want to learn how to climb up a wall.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Learning the basic method of climbing up a wall

1. Stretch and loosen up your muscles. Climbing up a wall can strain a number of muscles that you may not have used that much before. Do some light exercise and stretch before trying to climb up a wall.
2. Find a low wall to practice on. Try to find a wall that is low enough that you can put your hands over the top of the wall while keeping your feet on the floor. The wall must be high enough that you have to stretch out your arms to grab the top. Make sure you can grip the wall properly and correctly. A very smooth or even surface is not ideal for practice.
3. Grab the top of the wall. Use both your hands and try to place as much of your palms on top of the wall as possible.
   • Even if your feet stay on the floor, it should look like you are hanging on the wall by your arms. Keep your arms outstretched as you grasp the wall.
4. Put your feet on the wall. One foot should be in a high position - nearly as high as your waist - and the other foot should stay about 18 inches below it. Keep your feet straight under you and don't push them to the side. Your toes and the front parts of both feet should be bent so that they are in contact with the wall.
5. Push and pull yourself up. This should be a smooth movement. First push yourself up with your legs and then pull yourself up with your arms.
   • Push your legs into the wall. Your body should first be parallel to the wall, appearing to be pushing the wall away from you. However, your arms keep you close to the wall, so the force pushing you away from the wall will also push you up.
   • Just when you start moving with your legs by pushing, you have to pull your upper body up.
6. Go over the wall. As you pull yourself over the top edge of the wall, swing your back leg back and bring your upper body onto the top of the wall. Continue this movement until your center of gravity (in your lower body) is on the wall.
7. Rotate your back leg forward. Swing your first leg over the wall and complete the climb. Stand up if you are on a roof right now. If you climbed up on a freestanding wall instead, you can slide over it and bring your feet under you when you jump down the other side.

Part 2 of 2: Climbing up between two walls

1. Find two walls that are close to each other. In many cities, buildings are built very close together with only a narrow corridor in between. The ideal distance is slightly greater than the distance between your elbows when you extend both arms out to the side.
2. Place your hands and feet against one wall on either side of your body. Put your left hand and foot against one wall and your right hand and foot against the other wall. Apply pressure to both walls at the same time to lift the weight of your body.
3. Raise only one hand or foot at a time. When you do this, you need to apply more pressure with the other hand or foot that is on that wall.

Tips

• Never rush. Even the best need to practice.
• If you can't climb up a low wall, try an even lower wall. After you succeed, try walls that are higher and thicker.
• Wear gloves. At first it is very painful to climb without gloves. They will help you get up and get a better grip on thick or rough walls.

Warnings

• Do not try to climb up a wall in a public or crowded place.
• Don't let go of the wall too quickly. You can get burns, scratches and other types of injuries.

Necessities

• Gloves
• A safety mat or cushion under you
• Self confidence
• A not too full stomach (don't start right after you eat)