I boulder around three times a week and use this chalk from amazon: GSC Gym Chalk - 1lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000BYSM0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AFdwAbGPJ10KK
And I never think to myself, "My chalk is really limiting me." Maybe I would be climbing V12s instead of V7/8s if I would just use specific climbing chalk, but I kinda doubt it. (I use other people's chalk often enough and never find it any more helpful...)
And a pound of chalk lasts a looooong time.
Honestly, I just purchased a pound of magnesium carbonate on amazon. I haven't heard of a difference in chalk worth the pricepoint yet - though I'm always open to evidence proving otherwise.
I've read about chalk so many times but... I was dense and... didn't do anything about it. My buddy made it so easy to try and ... it worked for me.
I've read about liquid chalk too in here, I tried the old fashioned one and that's what I got on Amazon. This is what I got, 1lbs will be plenty for my entire lifting career (LOL), I plan on giving some away to people who ask.
I have this one in my DIY chalk bowl though I think it was $12 when I bought it.
Magnesium Carbonate, also known as gym chalk or climbing chalk. Takes very little and it's dirt cheap, no need to get the pricey stuff, they come in solid 2oz. blocks. Could get it from a local rock gym, or here it is on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/GSC-PGE4360X-Gym-Chalk-1lb/dp/B0000BYSM0/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1425369271&sr=1-8&keywords=climbing+chalk
Frictions Lab is a waste of money. I found 1lb of gym chalk on Amazon for $12 and it's been working just fine for me: https://www.amazon.com/GSC-PGE4360X-Gym-Chalk-1lb/dp/B0000BYSM0
It's gymnastic chalk: https://www.amazon.ca/GSC-PGE4360X-Gym-Chalk-Pound/dp/B0000BYSM0
Looks like this, in a weight lifting context: https://www.roguecanada.ca/gear-accessories/gym-essentials/chalk
Basically imagine regular "black board chalk" like at school, but in powder form. They add stuff to it to make it better for sports (or maybe it's different chalk to, I actually don't know what chalk really is, haha.) You can also get liquid stuff which is probably like an alcohol based product, which dries off super fast then it leaves a very perfect layer of chalk on your hands.
source: rock climbing for many eons + noob gym-goer.
Literally googled gym chalk and this is the first result. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000BYSM0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_KIm6FbJPWQ4EK
GSC Gym Chalk - 1lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000BYSM0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Uo8XAb837BBKJ
Will last you until your grandchildren die if you use it sparingly.
A years worth of chalk? This stuff works really well: http://frictionlabs.com/products/high-performance-chalk?variant=6929371523
Or you could get him the cheap block chalk: http://www.amazon.com/GSC-PGE4360X-Gym-Chalk-1lb/dp/B0000BYSM0
Does he already have a nice puffy ($250)? An R1 Hoody($150)? Good Quality Belay Gloves ($30)? Organic Bouldering Pad ($300)? Aeropress Coffee Maker ($30)? A pair of La Sportiva Genius Shoes ($190)???
Do you have the book for Starting Strength? It's covered in there and if you don't have the book I recommend getting it for that and about 1000 other reasons.
Here's a prior comment by me about it:
From Starting Strength (I think this covers everything you'd want to know):
>"A properly designed and adjusted belt is useful as a safety device when squatting heavy weights. The role of the weightlifting belt having just been discussed, it should be stated that a belt protects the spine while lifting heavy weights....
>A properly designed belt is four inches wide, all the way around. Many millions of cheap, junky belts have been produced with two-inch buckles and fronts, and either four or six inch backs. These amusing devices were designed by someone that did not understand how a belt works. For it to function correctly it must act against the abs, not the back, and there is no reason for it to be wider in the back than in the front. Four inches is about the widest belt that most people can get between ribs and hips, and some shorter kids may need to make a three-inch belt. Thickness is important in that a very thick, laminated suede belt feels very good under a big weight. Its almost complete lack of stretch makes for a comfortable ride. Such belts are expensive though, and any good single-ply 4" leather belt with a good buckle will work. Even a well-made Velcro belt will work.
>A belt should be used judiciously, possibly restricted to the last warm up and work sets, if then. Some trainees will not require a belt at all, for much of the early part of their training career, and if the abs are strong and the back uninjured, may prefer to never use one. This is a judgement call, one that must be made with the input of the trainee, but it is probably prudent to err on the side of safety if there is any question at all about it. A belt will not prevent the trunk from getting and staying strong-- there is plenty of work for the trunk muscles even if a belt is worn on heavy sets-- and it may help the trainee to safely squat enough weight to radically improve his strength, something he might not be able to do without it."
You don't need one yet for the weight you are at, in my opinion. I don't think it's an issue for the majority of people until their squats/deads approach >300lbs or 1.5-2x bodyweight.
As for chalk, I bought this or a very similar one in the past. It will last for ever, just break up one block in a ziplock baggie. There appears to be a 20% discount going on if you have an Amazon Visa card. Regardless, I've been using it for almost a year now and am maybe 1/2 to 3/4 through ONE block (package has 8).