It took me a bit to get the hang of how to climb the rope. It really just clicked in randomly one day for me. I had never been able to do it, but then before class started I figured I would give it a try (as it was in the WOD), and I got to the top! Once I understood the foot positioning, and realized where exactly the rope is beneath me, I got it. Now I just need socks to cover my shins, because the rope burns suck!

I've never tried this either. Oh ****! I better look at today's WOD. :ohwell:

IMO, it takes more leg muscle than anything, which makes it sooo much easier for people. It's a matter of being able to get a grip with your feet - something i'm shocked they didn't teach you guys at an elements or on-ramp crossfit class when you started.

make sure to wear something over your shins, you'll get rope burn!

My box goes over rope climbs every so often, but it isn't specifically something that gets done with on-ramping or starting out (although there is now starting to be a lot of work on the scaled option...so sorta).

Often when there is instruction on the foot clamp there will also be a lot of practice time on the foot clamp. Remember there is always a trade off between how secure you'll "feel" and how efficient you can be (which frankly you are still secure as you get it down and wrapping can leave you not able to make good progress up the rope...)

Some videos that might help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFVOKGCZHp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kVbf_w1Sw4

Like you, I could never do the rope climbs in gym class as a kid. I also think I was never taught how to grip the rope with my feet. My first attempt at Crossfit (and mind you, I am very weak!), I was able to climb the rope. Only once, though, as it's exhausting. My personal best is 3 rope climbs in 3 minutes.

Often when there is instruction on the foot clamp there will also be a lot of practice time on the foot clamp. Remember there is always a trade off between how secure you'll "feel" and how efficient you can be (which frankly you are still secure as you get it down and wrapping can leave you not able to make good progress up the rope...)

I agree, try to learn to NOT "wrap" the rope because it's so much harder to get up the rope that way

We don't do rope climbs very often at my box and it wasn't a skill that was covered in my foundations classes. My coach is VERY adamant about being safe on the rope and modifying to the beginner version (pulling yourself to standing from lying on the floor; 3 beginner ascents = one full rope climb) as needed to maintain our safety.

We actually had rope climbs in our strength/skill element today and I'm still doing the beginner mod. I'm still not able to do strict pullups and our coach uses that as a guide for doing beginner vs regular rope climbs.

That seems odd to me because I'm miles off of a strict pull-up, but I can climb ropes. As everyone's said, it's far less about the upperbody strength than a strict pull-up is. Of course, the boxes I've trained at all have pads at the base for WODs with rope climbs, not that I've ever seen anyone not get down safely. I think they're there for the keen ones who want to jump off the rope to get on to the next activity.

IMO, it takes more leg muscle than anything, which makes it sooo much easier for people. It's a matter of being able to get a grip with your feet - something i'm shocked they didn't teach you guys at an elements or on-ramp crossfit class when you started.

make sure to wear something over your shins, you'll get rope burn!

Definitely cover your shins!! I have rope burns for days after climbing WODs!