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 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 your top rope belay test with confidence.
Learn to Lead
Learn to Lead is a comprehensive and in-depth course on lead climbing for climbers looking to increase their knowledge and skill in this advanced climbing style. Topics covered during this course include lead belaying, lead climbing, rope handling, risk management, and, of course, falling.
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.
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 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!
Intro to Bouldering
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, 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 Learn to Climb class or enjoy some personal climbing time.
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:
Tuesdays: 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.
Learn to Climb
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:
Mondays: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Class Size Limit: 10 participants
Cost: Free with day pass, punch-card, or membership
This class is for ages 14+
Intermediate Bouldering
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. 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!
Details:
Thursdays: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
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 program designed for motivated adults who want an ongoing program in which they can work towards accomplishing their climbing goals with the help from experienced coaches in a supportive culture!
Our coaches will use the first couple of sessions to understand our athletes goals and assess their areas of growth. They will then join an ongoing structured program designed to get them to their peak abilities during the times in which their goals are most achievable. The Adult Team to represents the community leaders at the BPs and bring an inclusive and supportive vibe that helps our athletes feel comfortable to try their hardest.
Teams & Schedules
Adult Team (Recreational/Intermediate)
This Adult Team is a competitive program for Adults, mostly in USAC Rec & Intermediate categories, who are focusing on preparing for competitions on the local level such as Boulderfest! To join this team, you can participate in our tryouts or email our Head Coach and they will send you a short survey to see if you are a good fit for the program!
Cost: $80/month
Registration: Tryout or Email Head Coach
Practice Times: Sunday 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Adult Team (Advanced/Open)
This Competition Team is a competitive program for Adults, mostly in USAC Advanced and Open categories, who are focusing on preparing for high level competitions on the National Level. In order to join this team you must participate in our tryouts or be recommended by the rec/int coaches.
Cost: $80/month
Registration: Tryout or Recommendation
Practice Times: Sunday 6:00pm – 8:00pm
For more information or to sign up, email our Head Coach, tyler.williams@boulderingproject.com.
Circuit Sessions
Circuit Sessions run every Thursday 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 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 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!