The buzz around bouldering.

What is it and why’s everyone talking about it?

Bouldering is rock climbing without all the gear. Short routes, tricky problems to solve and a lot of fun to be had. No pricey equipment, ropes, fancy knots, belaying and all the commitment that comes with it. All you need are climbing shoes and some chalk.

More and more people are taking it up. Zac Effron, Keira Knightley, Jason Momoa and Brie Larson are into it. People with deep wallets and big houses are building their own personal bouldering walls. Ask your boss or your teacher and you might be surprised. Hundreds of thousands of us are trying it for the first time in one of the many gyms that have popped up across the world in recent years. It’s the new thing. A new way to keep fit and have fun at the same time.

But are you scared of heights, worried about getting hurt or finding yourself stuck half way up a wall? Well, there’s no need. The walls aren’t so high, and there are nice thick crash pads to land on. There’s always someone there to offer some advice or encouragement, and it’s so much fun you don’t even feel like you’ve had a work out… until you wake up the next day!

So how does it work and what can you expect?

As you step inside an indoor bouldering gym, you might hear some entertaining sounds coming from the tough overhanging ‘cave’ in the corner; some ripped climber making their way to the top of the wall using impossibly small holds. You’ll hear laughing from another group, and sounds of encouragement “allez, allez” from a few people on the mats watching a less experienced climber attempt to reach the top of a challenging route. And you’ll watch someone offering words of ‘advice’, while their buddy tries to angle their body into obscure positions without falling off. It’s all very entertaining!

As you feel the energy and start to see past this buzz, you’ll find specially designed, textured walls covered with ‘holds’ of different colours, shapes and sizes, and safety mats covering the entire floor.

Each ‘problem’ is marked in an obvious way — either all one colour, or with a tag or card on the starting and finishing holds. There’ll be a bunch of routes anyone can climb, and then it’ll get harder from there. High enough to be exciting, but not so high to be intimidating.

You’ll get a briefing on the gym etiquette — don’t climb above anyone else, don’t walk underneath someone climbing. Don’t throw your chalk in someone’s eyes as they are about to send the problem they’ve been working on for the last 2 weeks. Spot your buddy when they fall. It’s not rocket science.

You’ll hear a load of lingo. It’ll make no sense… “The crux is the traverse before the dyno…” but that doesn’t matter. You can check our glossary to find out what it all means, laugh at all the innuendos and pick it up along the way. Since the climbing community is super friendly you’ll quickly meet people climbing at the same level as you, and learn together. And you’ll find others with more experience, happy to give you tips and show you some technique if you want it.

You’ll learn as you go, like most things. And since indoor bouldering is such a great introduction to outdoor climbing, you’ll open up a new world of opportunities to keep fit and have fun.

There’s a reason why bouldering has taken off in cities around the world. Like many, I was unfit, scared of heights and hadn’t even climbed many trees as a kid, but at the first session I discovered it was actually something I could try, and not entirely fail at! And here I am, 10 years later, fitter, stronger, braver and happier in myself than I was back then.

Now, we’re opening Malta’s first indoor bouldering gym, so we can offer the opportunity to people like you. We’re super stoked about it — and we hope you will be too! Click here to find out more about bouldering and our facilities. Or follow us on social media to stay updated on opening dates, times and special offers.