Why do climbers use their feet more than their hands when ascending rock faces?

In rock climbing, climbers prioritize using their feet for support because the legs are better suited for bearing the body's weight, while hands are primarily utilized for balance.1

Contrary to the common misconception that climbing requires immense arm and shoulder strength, experienced climbers avoid using their hands to drag themselves up a cliff face. Instead, they maintain an upright stance, keeping their body weight as directly over their feet as possible to maximize stability and efficiency. By relying on the feet to do the majority of the labor, climbers conserve energy and maintain better control throughout the ascent.1