To use the Kilter Board, you’ll need the Kilter Board app on your phone. Make sure Bluetooth is on, then follow your gym’s steps to connect to the board.
In the app, first select the board angle (usually anywhere from 0° to 70°). From there, you can search for climbs by grade; set your preferred range, and even filter by climbs you’ve sent, tried, or haven’t tried yet. Each climb includes useful details like how many people have sent it, its star rating, and sometimes beta videos linked from Instagram.
When you’re ready to climb (and it’s your turn), select the climb in the app and tap the lightbulb icon to light it up on the board. After sending, log your ascent with the checkmark icon, add how many tries it took, and give it your own rating.
If you’re climbing at CityROCK Johannesburg or Pretoria before the gym appears on the Kilter app, use the settings below – or simply use the iPad by the wall to skip the setup hassle.
• Custom board
• Kilter Board Original
• 12×12 with kickboard
• Is the wall angle adjustable? Yes
• What is the wall angle? Choose the angle the wall is at currently
• What hold sets are on the wall? Bolt Ons & Screw Ons (click both)
• Give the wall a name and ignore the serial number
• Choose a climb and tap the light bulb icon to start scanning for the wall, once “Kilter” pops up, tap it and it’ll light up the wall!
If you’re climbing at CityROCK Cape Town before the gym appears on the Kilter app, use the settings below – or simply use the iPad by the wall to skip the setup hassle.
• Custom board
• Kilter Board Original
• 16×12 with kickboard
• Is the wall angle adjustable? Yes
• What is the wall angle? Choose the angle the wall is at currently
• What hold sets are on the wall? Bolt Ons & Screw Ons (click both)
• Give the wall a name and ignore the serial number
• Choose a climb and tap the light bulb icon to start scanning for the wall, once “Kilter” pops up, tap it and it’ll light up the wall!
How it works
- Start holds = Green. If there are two, start with one hand on each. If there’s only one, start matched.
- Finish holds = Purple. To send, match both hands on the purple hold.
- Yellow holds = Feet only—no grabbing with your hands.
- Blue holds = Hands and feet are both okay.
Try not to touch (or “dab”) any unlit holds while climbing. This can be tricky on big moves, especially when your feet cut loose, but that’s part of the challenge!
Are you colour blind? Find the “Colour Blind Mode” in settings (climbs are drawn in the app using different shapes as well as colours to indicate the role of each hold in a climb).
Etiquette
Kilter Boards are great fun, which also means they tend to get busy. The angle of the board is usually decided by group agreement or gym schedule. If you’re the only one climbing and want the angle adjusted, ask a staff member for help. If other climbers are already using the board, politely check with them before suggesting a change.
Try to stay open to different settings; climbing on a variety of angles will help you improve. A hold that feels comfortable at 30° might feel completely different (and much harder!) at 40°.
- Stay out of the fall zone if you’re not climbing.
- Keep the area clear: no chalk bags, shoes, or water bottles under the Kilter so no one trips or falls on them.
- Take turns and keep the flow going. If you’re not sure if it’s your go, just check in with the other climbers.
- Let others finish their climb before starting yours.
- Never light up your problem while someone else is climbing theirs.
- Share beta only if someone asks, sometimes half the fun is figuring it out!
- Give the holds a good brush when you’re done so they’re fresh for the next climber.
