Bouldering
Bouldering is a type of rock climbing that uses little to no equipment. In this sport, a boulderer tackles “problems,” which are routes you take when climbing. Bouldering problems are short compared to other rock-climbing sports; they only range from 7 to 15 feet (2 to 4.5 meters).
Because of its simplicity, requiring only climbing shoes, chalk, and landing pads (you don’t even need a partner!), bouldering is a great way to get into the world of climbing.
Though you can go at it alone since a partner is not required, bouldering is a very social sport. The short routes make for more break conversation and beta sharing in between climbs. You can boulder indoors, in a climbing gym, or you can practice bouldering outdoors on real giant boulders. The V scale and Font scale are the two most common bouldering grade systems used.
Some of the best bouldering locations are The Blue Mountains in Sydney, The Buttermilks in California, Fountainbleau in France, Hampi in India, Petrohrad in Czech Republic, and Rocklands in South Africa
Even though bouldering is relatively an “easy” climbing sport, it still demands a lot from your body. Bouldering is an excellent way to burn fat and build muscle. It is a mix of cardio and strength exercise, a whole total body workout. It is speculated that in one bouldering session, you can burn around 500-700 calories. Of course, this varies as factors like intensity and efficiency of climbing, grade difficulty, and the total number of hours spent climbing also affect the outcome.
Bouldering is not only beneficial for the body, but it also enhances your mind. Some boulderers enjoy the Zen, the peace and quiet, the moment of pure concentration they experience when one is really focused on the climb. Others enjoy solving problems and figuring out the best and most efficient way to climb a route. It is such an enjoyable sport with lots of benefits, so If you are up for a challenge, give bouldering a try!
