Bouldering gyms are:
● A place of fun, mental and physical challenges.
● Bustling communities of strong, motivated people.
● Spaces to try one of climbing’s many disciplines.
All indoor rock climbing gyms offer the same fundamental service: a place to try climbing. However, they vary in design and disciplines offered based on facility size. Bouldering is one of the three disciplines traditionally found at an indoor facility. It is defined by its short walls and climbs with crash pads instead of ropes. The other two disciplines a non-bouldering-only rock gym would offer are sport (top rope and lead) and speed climbing.
Bouldering is the most accessible form of climbing, requiring only climbing shoes and chalk. It’s even possible to forgo specialized gear and boulder in tennis shoes without chalk (it will arguably feel more arduous if you choose this route, but it’s possible). It is also daunting to step into a bouldering gym for the first time. Unlike other individual sports such as running, where you may pass one or two joggers on your escapades or lose yourself in the treadmill TV, bouldering gyms host more people and social interactions. Although you won’t know the other people bouldering, the open concept spaces and overlapping boulder problems (the path to the top of the wall) make it feel like everyone else is watching you. The feeling is entirely normal, but remember that everyone is ultimately more obsessed with themselves than paying close attention to you.
Before you visit a bouldering gym for the first time, a few tips can help you feel more confident and excited about the experience. These tips will increase your understanding of the sport and hopefully relieve nerves. There are five tips to cover, so let’s take a closer look at each one.
5 Tips for Your First Visit to a Bouldering Gym
1. Listen to the employees when they give the boulder orientation - it’s for your safety!
Your first visit to a bouldering gym will typically start with an orientation. It may be a combination of verbal instruction from an employee, a video, or a form. As annoying as it may seem, the orientation ensures you are familiar with the bouldering rules and the facility. Knowing these is important for your safety and that of those around you. Trust us; the gym employees understand that sitting through an orientation before climbing is frustrating, but they do their best to keep them brief yet informative. Give them the courtesy of paying attention.
2. Work our way up in difficulty.
As you start climbing, you’ll notice (or an employee will explain during the orientation) a grading system for the boulders. Usually, there is a colored marker or tag on each start hold indicating the difficulty and signage around the gym explaining the system. Start on the most accessible level and gradually work your way up. If you can quickly complete a few boulders of that difficulty, go up to the next level. This step-by-step approach will not only help prevent injury but also give you a sense of control over your climbing experience.
3. When in doubt, downclimb.
While bouldering is known for its low height, some indoor facilities can have walls up to 15 feet. The padding will be thick enough to cushion a fall from that height, but committing to moves can still feel scary. If you feel unsure or unsafe, look for jugs (holds you can grab with your whole hand) or the downclimb holds the employee identified in the bouldering orientation. These are there to ensure your safety, and using them to reverse your path toward the mats is not a sign of weakness but an innovative and safe climbing practice.
4. Be courteous of other climbers.
As with any other gym facility, other patrons will be working out. Always look where you are walking to ensure you are not in the fall zone of someone actively climbing. When you sit down between climbs, try your best to sit away from the wall so other climbers don't have to worry about landing on you. Boulders often overlap, so ensure no one else is climbing in the area you are eyeing up. Finally, don't be a wall hog. Once you fall off the climb, see if anyone else is waiting to climb before trying again.
5. Take your climbing shoes off if resting - your toes will thank you!
Here's a pro tip: Taking off your climbing shoes is okay when you're not climbing. Climbing shoes are not known for comfort, especially if it's your first time wearing them. Your feet might hurt the most before any other body part. So, to make your climbing experience more comfortable, slip them off every few climbs or 20-30 minutes. Just remember not to leave them where someone climbing could fall onto them.
Visiting a bouldering gym can be a great workout, a social outing with friends, a fun family activity, an exciting date night, and so much more. However, it can also be intimidating and anxiety-provoking. Knowing these five tips can prepare you for your first visit so you can embrace all the fun and excitement and leave the worry behind. To sum up, remember to listen to the staff, increase the difficulty slowly, downclimb if needed, be courteous of others, and take those climbing shoes off between climbs. Comment below with any other questions about going to a bouldering gym for the first time!
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