Key takeaways
- A dyno is an explosive, dynamic leap to a hold too far to reach statically.
- It uses a coordinated leg push and arm pull, latching the target hold at the 'dead point' of the jump.
- It's powerful and committing — both hands (and often feet) can leave the wall.
- It differs from a deadpoint, a smaller dynamic move where you stay in contact with the wall.
Short for 'dynamic'.
What a dyno is
A dyno — short for ‘dynamic’ — is a climbing move where you leap explosively to reach a hold that’s too far to grab while keeping static contact with the wall. You generate momentum, briefly go airborne, and catch the target hold at the peak of the movement. It’s one of the most athletic, crowd-pleasing moves in climbing.
How to do one
The power comes from a coordinated push from the legs and pull from the arms, often preceded by a small downward ‘load’ to build momentum. You catch the hold precisely at the dead point — the brief weightless instant at the top of the jump where you’re neither rising nor falling — then absorb the swing and stick it.
Stuck below a big hold with nothing in between, a boulderer crouches to load, explodes upward with legs and arms together, flies through the air, and slaps the target hold at the dead point — sticking the dyno as their spotter watches over the crash pads.
Dyno vs deadpoint
A dyno is a full leap, often losing all wall contact; a deadpoint is a smaller, controlled dynamic move where you keep your feet on the wall. See dyno vs deadpoint. Both are staples of dynamic bouldering.
The bottom line
A dyno is climbing's spectacular leap — an explosive, committing move that launches you to a hold you can't otherwise reach, latched at the weightless dead point of the jump. It's a hallmark of dynamic bouldering, demanding power, timing, and precision. Its smaller, more controlled cousin is the deadpoint, where you keep contact with the wall.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dyno in climbing?
A dyno (short for 'dynamic') is a climbing move where you leap explosively to reach a hold that's too far to grab while staying in static contact with the wall. You generate upward momentum by pushing with your legs and pulling with your arms, briefly go airborne, and catch the target hold at the top of the movement.
How do you do a dyno?
Coordinate a powerful push from your legs with a pull from your arms to launch toward the target hold, often after a small downward 'load' to build momentum. Catch the hold precisely at the 'dead point' — the brief weightless moment at the top of the jump where your body is neither rising nor falling — then absorb the swing and stick it. Spotting and crash pads matter for the falls.
What's the difference between a dyno and a deadpoint?
Both are dynamic, but a dyno is a full leap where you often lose all contact with the wall to reach a far hold, while a deadpoint is a smaller, controlled dynamic move where you keep your feet (and sometimes a hand) on the wall and catch a hold at the top of the motion. A deadpoint is precise and conservative; a dyno is committing and explosive. See our dyno vs deadpoint comparison.
Sources
- Climbing movement & technique — American Alpine Club
- Bouldering skills — UIAA