Hi! Lifelong climber (grew up on doing free climbs) and I have some thoughts.
First off, please go to a climbing gym or two and take a beginners class. I can’t account for someone being an asshole but I can tell you that older climbers are definitely excited when someone’s interested in their thing, like most usually are. With that said, I want to give you a fair warning. My number one concern for someone of your stature would be foot/ankle injuries and pulley injuries (fingers) with rotator cuff being second.
With that said, I completely think you could do bouldering and frankly the fact that you’re already a frequent gym goes/weight lifter means you have a, forgive the pun, a leg up on most who are gonna walk in that gym. Take it easy, don’t try and do anything absurd, and have a good time. If you’re renting shoes from the gym then keep in mind that climbing shoes are a WHOLE thing and finding a pair that work and don’t completely murder your feet is a project in and of itself even with average sized feet, your size 16s might be a bit of a secondary project tbh. But spend some time on a wall and see how you feel about it truly after having someone give you some pointers as it’s an activity that is closer to 75% technique and 25% strength so knowing some beta (climber speak for “meta” - knowledge of a route/problem) actually goes a long ways.
Edit: Seriously though, the difference between an everyday rental shoe and a shoe that is higher quality and fitted properly to your foot actual does make a tangible difference in how you “feel” and whether you get positive response from the wall/foot connection. Good traction will ensure you can get grip even on the face.
Thats great advice thanks! Im heavily considering getting into it. Like I said I have to climb random shit at work sometimes (power plant) and its always fun/exciting. I’ve only been to one climbing gym once though and it was for a party type thing. I didn’t do well haha.
Hi! Lifelong climber (grew up on doing free climbs) and I have some thoughts.
First off, please go to a climbing gym or two and take a beginners class. I can’t account for someone being an asshole but I can tell you that older climbers are definitely excited when someone’s interested in their thing, like most usually are. With that said, I want to give you a fair warning. My number one concern for someone of your stature would be foot/ankle injuries and pulley injuries (fingers) with rotator cuff being second.
With that said, I completely think you could do bouldering and frankly the fact that you’re already a frequent gym goes/weight lifter means you have a, forgive the pun, a leg up on most who are gonna walk in that gym. Take it easy, don’t try and do anything absurd, and have a good time. If you’re renting shoes from the gym then keep in mind that climbing shoes are a WHOLE thing and finding a pair that work and don’t completely murder your feet is a project in and of itself even with average sized feet, your size 16s might be a bit of a secondary project tbh. But spend some time on a wall and see how you feel about it truly after having someone give you some pointers as it’s an activity that is closer to 75% technique and 25% strength so knowing some beta (climber speak for “meta” - knowledge of a route/problem) actually goes a long ways.
Edit: Seriously though, the difference between an everyday rental shoe and a shoe that is higher quality and fitted properly to your foot actual does make a tangible difference in how you “feel” and whether you get positive response from the wall/foot connection. Good traction will ensure you can get grip even on the face.
Thats great advice thanks! Im heavily considering getting into it. Like I said I have to climb random shit at work sometimes (power plant) and its always fun/exciting. I’ve only been to one climbing gym once though and it was for a party type thing. I didn’t do well haha.