If you’ve ever thought competition climbing sounds intimidating—don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people picture pros flashing V10s in front of a crowd. But local gym comps are a totally different vibe. They’re fun, community-driven events where you can climb with your friends, meet new people, and push yourself in a supportive atmosphere.
Whether you’re there to test your progress, cheer others on, or just enjoy a full day at the gym, comps are one of the best ways to connect with your local climbing community. And if you’ve been climbing for a while, they’re also a great motivator to project new problems and see how your skills stack up in a friendly setting.
For me, climbing competitions have always been about more than just the score. If anything, they’re about everything BUT the score! I’ve learned a lot about myself through them—how to stay calm under pressure, how to cheer others on even when I’m nervous, and how fun it can be to push my limits alongside friends. Comp days have helped me build confidence climbing in front of people, meet new faces in the community, and experience routesetting that’s way more creative and challenging than a normal gym session. If you’ve never signed up for one, I can’t recommend it enough. Comps are one of the best ways to combine climbing, connection, and pure fun.
Common Gym Competition Formats (and What They’re Like to Climb In)
Over the past few years, I’ve competed at a handful of different local gyms—each with their own twist on how climbing competitions are run. While every event is unique, most local comps use one of a few common formats.
1. Points Scramble / “Best of N”
This is probably the most common comp format.
During a set time window (usually around 2–3 hours), you can try any of the competition climbs you want as many times as you want. Each route or boulder is worth a certain number of points based on its difficulty. Your goal is to climb as many as you can, but only your top “N” highest scores (like your best 5 sends) count toward your final total. If there’s a points-tie at the end, then the person with fewer attempts wins.
It’s a nice balance of strategy and endurance: you have to choose wisely which problems to prioritize and decide when to move on versus when to keep working a climb. It’s also super social with everyone on the mats cheering each other on and swapping beta.
2. Fewest Attempts Format
My first ever comp had this formatting instead, and it definitely brings a different kind of pressure. Instead of just sending as many climbs as you can, every attempt matters.
All climbing routes have holds marked as the “Zone” and the “Top”. The zone is at the rough halfway point of the climb, and the top is, of course, at the top. Overall, the fewer tries it takes to reach the top, the higher your score. If there’s a route you cannot reach the top, but you did reach the zone, you essentially earn half points for that route. Ultimately, flashing (reaching the top on your first try) is best, while falling over and over again can really cut into your total. It adds this layer of focus and precision—you find yourself resting more, reading climbs carefully, and really committing when you pull on.
Regardless of the format, most comps are also split into multiple difficulty categories (Recreational, Intermediate, Advanced, Open, etc.), so you’re always climbing alongside people around your same level. Only the top couple categories usually go on to a finals round at the end of the night, where the highest-scoring climbers compete in front of a crowd—super fun to watch, even if you’re not competing.
Unique Competitions at Summit
Here at Summit, we like to keep the competition scene lighthearted and community-focused. Two of our most beloved events—Setter’s Showdown and Kubi’s Klassik—really capture that spirit.
1. Setter’s Showdown
This one flips the idea of a comp on its head—it’s not for the climbers, it’s for the setters! Many routesetters from the Madison area create their best (and maybe most diabolical) boulders, and climbers get to test them out throughout the day. Instead of competing, participants vote on their favorite climbs, and the setters battle for the titles of Best and Worst Setters in Madison.
It’s part friendly rivalry, part social event, and one of the best ways to appreciate just how much creativity and craft goes into route setting. For climbers, it’s a laid-back hangout day full of laughter, beta-sharing, and good vibes.
2. Kubi’s Klassik
If Setter’s Showdown celebrates the setters, Kubi’s Klassik celebrates everyone else. Hosted jointly by Summit and the Hoofers Climbing Team, this event is packed with quirky challenges and competitions like:
- Most climbs completed
- Dyno competition
- Longest deadhang
- Fastest clipping traverse, one-arm traverse, and cave top-out
- And even basketball knockout!
It’s equal parts chaotic and hilarious, and there’s truly something for everyone. The prizes are fun, the energy’s high, and the pressure is nonexistent. It’s all about celebrating climbing and community in the most Summit way possible.
[Read more about my journey at Summit and hosting Kubi’s Klassik last year HERE]
Tips for First-Time Competition Climbers
If you’re thinking about signing up for your first comp, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
- Pace yourself. Three hours of climbing goes by fast—don’t burn out in the first 30 minutes.
- Rest between attempts. Especially in formats where attempts matter, it pays to take time to recover and plan.
- Talk to people! Comps are the best time to make friends, get beta, and find that shared stoke that makes the community so awesome.
- Don’t overthink it. Everyone’s there for the same reason—to have fun and climb hard. You don’t need to be “ready.” You already are.
Get Ready for Setter’s Showdown — November 1st at Summit!
Our next big community comp, Setter’s Showdown, is happening November 1st here at Summit Strength & Fitness! Whether you’re there to climb, spectate, or just hang out, it’s one of the most fun days of the year. Come see what the setters have been cooking up, cast your votes, and celebrate the creativity and chaos that make our gym community so special.
Check out the first part of our promotional video series for the event below!
