Climb Smarter: Foot First, Then Hands

Ever try to high-step mid-route, only to feel totally stuck? You tell yourself your hips aren’t flexible enough. But the problem might not be mobility—it might be timing. New climbers (myself included) tend to follow one rule: Get your hands secure first. It feels safer. But here’s what happens— You grab the next handhold, your body stretches out, and suddenly… your foot won’t go where you need it. Why? Because when your body is fully extended, your hip joint locks up. Biomechanically, you lose range of motion: a straight posture gives you ~90° of hip flexion. A slightly bent posture—hips sunk, arms soft—gives you over 120° to work with. That’s the difference between getting your foot on and getting shut down. So here’s the better habit: Foot first. Then hand. Before reaching up, bend your arms slightly. Sink your hips like you’re sitting into the wall. Then step high. Then shift weight. Then reach. It’s not about brute flexibility. It’s about keeping the body loaded but mobile. Like a bowstring—tense, but not locked. What’s a tiny movement habit that made a huge difference in your climbing? #sport #climbing #techniquematters