Climbing Classes
We're here to help you explore movement through climbing
People climb for a number of reasons: because it’s social, silly, frustrating, hilarious, intimidating, inspiring, and so much more. Our goal with Bouldering Project classes is to share our love of climbing while teaching you what you need to know to climb your first, fifth or one millionth time. We offer classes for all ages and all experience levels—check out our classes below.
All of Our climbing
Learn the Ropes
This 2-hour introductory level class is for those that want to climb higher than boulders have to offer. In this class you will learn how to tie a figure eight knot, how to use a GriGri, how to check an indoor top rope system, and gain the experience needed to start your top rope adventure. You will leave class with the skills needed to pass a top rope belay test. This class includes an extra day pass to come back and take a top rope belay test.
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Rental equipment included
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Free with a membership
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No previous climbing experience needed
Learn to Lead
Is top roping getting old? Do you want to take your rope climbing to the next level? Then this is the class for you! During this course you will learn how to lead climb and lead belay from our team of passionate and knowledgeable instructors. This course consists of two 3-hour sessions.
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50% off with a membership
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We highly recommend that participants are able to consistently climb 5.10 on top rope before signing up for this class
Beginner Bouldering Technique
This 90-minute class is for yellow, red, and green circuit (V0-V2) climbers looking to learn the basics of climbing technique and strategy needed to progress as a climber. This class will cover concepts such as footwork, balance, and mental strategy. Participants will leave class with more confidence in their abilities as a climber.
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Rental equipment included
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Free with a membership
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No previous climbing experience needed
Intermediate Bouldering Technique
This 90-minute class is for intermediate climbers who are working on the purple, orange, and black circuits (V3-V5). There are four topics that will be covered over four sessions. We encourage climbers to sign up for all four sessions (10% discount for 4-pack) or drop into the class that they think would benefit them most. The session topics include:
– Session 1: Footwork & Balance
– Session 2: Body Positioning & Creating Tension
– Session 3: Dynamic Climbing & Using Momentum
– Session 4: Route Reading & Developing a Process
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Rental equipment included
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Reduced price with a membership
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We recommend that participants have taken Beginner Bouldering Technique or have previous bouldering experience
Intro To Bouldering
Our supportive, friendly staff will cover the basics of climbing safety, etiquette, and technique. Our goal is to make sure you’re comfortable in the gym, comfortable climbing, and know how you can find success in your climbing journey.
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Rental equipment included
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Free with a membership or included in the cost of a day pass
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No previous climbing experience needed
Intro to Bouldering Project
If you’re new to climbing or simply new to our spaces, this 45-minute class introduces you to our facility and equips you with the fundamentals needed to begin climbing. Our supportive, friendly staff will cover the basics like climbing safety, etiquette, and technique. Our goal for this class is to make sure you’re comfortable in the gym, comfortable climbing, and know how you can find success and fulfillment in your climbing journey at BP. Afterwards, if you’re hungry for more, feel free to roll right into our Beginner Bouldering Technique class or enjoy some personal climbing time. Participants should arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in and try on climbing shoes.
Beginner Bouldering Technique
Whether you’ve only climbed once or been a member for months, this 90-minute class is for yellow, red, and green climbers looking to learn the basic climbing techniques, skills, and strategies necessary to unlock new movements and challenges. This class will cover a wide breadth of concepts from mental strategy to novel techniques that will give participants more confidence in their abilities moving forward.
This class is free with your membership and $49 for nonmembers (includes day pass access). Space is limited. Sign-ups are encouraged. If you cannot make it to class, please cancel your reservation 24 hours prior to the start time as a courtesy to other members and guests. Waitlist will be released on a first come, first serve basis 5 minutes prior to class start.
Intermediate Bouldering (Coming Soon)
This class is for intermediate climbers who are working on the Purple, Orange, Black circuits. The class is run over the course of four weeks covering a few technical concepts each session with an emphasis on developing a growth mindset. The ability to go into more depth with each concept will help participants break through their plateaus. There are four topics that we cover over four sessions:
Day 1 – Footwork & Balance
Day 2 – Body Position and Creating Tension
Day 3 – Dynamic Climbing & Using Momentum
Day 4 – Route Reading and developing a Process.
We encourage climbers to sign up for all four or drop into the class that they think would benefit them most. As they learn more skills they will start to have the confidence to join group climbing sessions such as circuit sessions and become regular members!
Beginner Bouldering Technique
This 1.5 hour class is for beginner to intermediate climbers who are looking to send red, green, and purple boulders, or looking to learn some better climbing technique. The class will cover concepts from mental strategy to novel techniques that will give participants confidence moving forward! Bouldering 1 is free with your day pass, punch-card, or membership.
Intro to Bouldering Project
If you’re new to climbing or simply new to our spaces, this 60-minute class introduces you to our facility and equips you with the fundamentals needed to begin climbing. Our supportive, friendly staff will cover the basics like climbing safety and etiquette. Our goal for this class is to make sure you’re comfortable in the gym, comfortable climbing, and know how you can find success and fulfillment in your climbing journey at BP.
Intro to MBP is free with your day pass, punch-card, or membership. Available to ages 14 and up. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before class.
Details:
Mondays: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Class Size Limit: 6 participants
Cost: Free with day pass, punch-card, or membership
Don’t have a waiver on file? Complete our online waiver, here.
Bouldering Technique 1
This two-hour class is for beginner climbers who are looking to learn basic climbing technique to help them send yellow, red and green boulders. The class will cover a wide breadth of concepts from mental strategy to novel techniques that will give participants confidence moving forward!
Details:
Wednesdays: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Class Size Limit: 10 participants
Cost: Free with day pass, punch-card, or membership
This class is for ages 14+
Bouldering Technique 2
This class is for intermediate climbers who are working on the Purple, Orange, Black circuits. The class is run over the course of four weeks covering a few technical concepts each session with an emphasis on developing a growth mindset. The ability to go into more depth with each concept will help participants break through their plateaus. There are four topics that we cover over four sessions:
Session 1 – Footwork & Balance
Session 2 – Body Position and Creating Tension
Session 3 – Dynamic Climbing & Using Momentum
Session 4 – Route Reading and developing a Process.
We encourage climbers to sign up for all four or drop into the class that they think would benefit them most. Learning and refining these skills will increase your confidence on climbs.
Details:
Tuesdays: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Class Size Limit: 10 participants
Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members
This class is for ages 14+
Each week is a new topic and requires a separate registration.
Adult Team
Adult team is a place for motivated and committed individuals to learn new skills that will help accomplish their goals while building a culture of inspiration and accountability. Our coaches introduce athletes to mental training, skill development and physical training concepts in a fun and playful atmosphere. The team is for athletes with a variety of skill levels but share a commitment to work hard for continual improvement while supporting their teammates in a positive way.
Our Adult Team is offered in two options:
Our community level team meets once a week on Sunday evenings 6:00-8:00pm. Cost: $80/month.
Our competition/performance level team meets twice a week: Sunday evenings 6:00-8:00pm and Wednesday mornings 6:30-8:30am. Cost: $100/month.
For more information and to sign up, email our Adult Programs Coordinator, brent.haglund@boulderingproject.com.
Circuit Sessions
Circuit Sessions run every Tuesday night from 7-8pm. Meet in the lobby between 6:45-7:00pm.
Each session will feature a bouldering circuit that will challenge a unique aspect of your climbing including endurance, power, mental fortitude, and technique.
This hour long class for social climbers looking to meet other people in a fun atmosphere while learning about new ways to use our circuits. This class is how we create a community for all levels and a great way for our community to learn about the other offerings in the gym!
The sessions will be scalable to your skill level. Whether you are climbing yellows or projecting whites, you will be able to participate and see growth. This is an open series; registration is not required, and no need to have participated in prior sessions. Sessions are free with a membership, punch card, or day pass.
Intro to Bouldering
If you’re brand new to bouldering, this 45-minute class is a great way to introduce yourself to the fundamentals needed to begin climbing. Our supportive, friendly staff will cover the basics of climbing safety, etiquette, and technique. Our goal for this class is to ensure you’re comfortable both in the gym and climbing and know how to find success and fulfillment in your climbing journey at BP. Participants should arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in and try on climbing shoes. After the intro class, we recommend getting a few more days of climbing in before signing up for our Beginner Bouldering Technique class!
Beginner Bouldering Technique
Whether you’ve only climbed once or have been climbing for months, this 90-minute class is for yellow, red, and green climbers looking to learn the basic climbing techniques, skills, and strategies necessary to unlock new movements and challenges. This class will cover a wide breadth of concepts from mental strategy to novel techniques that will give participants more confidence in their abilities moving forward.
Intermediate Bouldering Technique
This class is for intermediate climbers who are working on the Purple, Orange, Black circuits. The class is run over the course of four weeks covering a few technical concepts each session with an emphasis on developing a growth mindset. The ability to go into more depth with each concept will help participants break through their plateaus. There are four topics that we cover over four sessions: Day 1 – Footwork & Balance, Day 2 – Body Position and Creating Tension, Day 3 – Dynamic Climbing & Using Momentum, Day 4 – Route Reading and developing a Process. We encourage climbers to sign up for all four, or they can choose the class that they think would benefit them most. As they learn more skills they will start to have the confidence to join group climbing sessions such as circuit sessions and become regular members!
Circuit Sessions
This hour long class is for social climbers looking to meet other people in a fun atmosphere while learning about new ways to use our circuits. This class is how we create a community for all levels and a great way for our community to learn about the other offerings in the gym!
Carson Langmack
- Years climbing: 8 years
- Circuit levels instructing: All circuit levels
- Specific coaching abilities: Comfortable to coach all levels of demand while simultaneously inciting fun, creativity, and engagement.
- Fun fact: I’ve made art that President Obama owns.
Tamar Lambert
- Years climbing: 8 years
- Circuit levels instructing: All circuit levels
- Specific coaching abilities: Climbing movement, developing a training plan, climbing strategy, route reading
- Fun fact: Outside of climbing I’m a physicist, skateboarder, and competitive Smash bros player
Brooks Norton
- Years climbing: On and off for 12 years.
- Circuit level instructing: Yellow – Blue
- Specific coaching abilities: Introduction to climbing as a sport, preparing for youth competition.
- Fun fact: When I’m not climbing, I spend most of my time reading pretty much everything but especially science fiction!
Ryan Rhoades
- Years climbing: 8 years.
- Circuit levels instructing: All circuit levels.
- Specific coaching abilities: Establishing intrinsic motivation for improving, understanding the pedagogical side of route reading, challenging climbers with gradual yet consistent methods.
- Fun fact: When I’m not climbing, routesetting or coaching in the gym, I am often charcoal drawing or playing board games.
Working as a routesetter, coach, and instructor across several gyms in the DMV over the past 7 years, I’ve been able to hone in on what puzzles to present on the wall and then how to communicate the best practices to tackle them. What we can teach and learn from the movement created from plastic holds and wooden structures has always been the most fascinating part of my climbing journey, and Bouldering Project allows me to push the boundaries on that movement and then present it to my community in a unique way. I am always pushing myself to improve as a climber, but even more so to be a valuable resource to any other climber with questions.
Daniel Shepard
- Years climbing: 2
- Circuit levels instructing: Yellow – Pink
- Specific coaching abilities: Working with new climbers, teaching intermediate techniques to avoid plateaus as a climber.
- Fun fact: I’m also an architect, and I love playing a good ping pong match to end my climbing session!