Bouldering is an activity with millions of participants scattered across every corner of the globe, with a significant concentration in North America and Europe.
Bouldering, widely known as climbing at its simplest form, has seen rapid growth as an independent discipline of rock climbing in recent years & this may be due to the benefits of bouldering.
As more individuals turn to the exhilaration rock climbing offers, bouldering, the first activity engaged by these beginner climbers has seen the continual influx of new climbers.
The simplicity of bouldering, coupled with how safe it ranks compared to other rock climbing disciplines, has been a significant reason why the climbing discipline enjoys incredible engagement.
Often, the physical rigors of different rock climbing disciplines, majorly outdoor climbing (top-rope climbing, traditional climbing), have been linked with the invaluable mental, physical and health benefits it presents.
Bouldering, on the other hand, is less challenging physically, and this probably has made many wondered if the benefits of bouldering as a climbing discipline bring as much benefit as outdoor climbing.
Benefits Of Bouldering
While bouldering may be simple and more comfortable, the activity still holds much of the benefits of outdoor climbing.
The benefits of bouldering will be reviewed in detail.
1. Endurance
Navigating a bouldering route may seem easy, especially for climbing graded for beginners (VB – V3), but as a climber skill improves, he ventures off to more challenging routes.
These routes, often with tricky bouldering problems and extensive distance, certainly presents a challenge to the climber. As the climber deliberates on how best to ascend to the summit, he holds on to the artificial rocks.
Over time, these actions’ frequency will help imbibe the fundamental principle of endurance in the climber’s mindset, a crucial quality beneficial in all facets of life.
The determination to also ascended pass a set point by a climber further equips the climber with endurance.
2. Focus
The core purpose of bouldering, unlike rock climbing, is not to reach the summit of the route, but to overcome challenges and progress in the grading of the bouldering route.
This is especially true for beginners’ climbers. In light of this, as a climber navigates a bouldering route, his focus is squarely on overcoming the complex bouldering problems. Focusing on this and body postures and movement on how to ascend helps the climber focus.
Besides focusing on postures and body movements, the climber learns to think ahead as he decides on the best course of action to ascend further.
3. Stamina
Closely linked to endurance, as a climber ascends a bouldering route, which could be as high as 35 feet, the climber at specific points has to hold on, longer than usual.
This may occur due to tricky body position, but as the climber holds on his cardio ability and fitness helps build his anaerobic limit. The climber is thus able to hold on for longer and capable of spending more time climbing a bouldering route.
Regular bouldering sessions will help a climber’s stamina improve as the time spent climbing before exhaustion extends.
4. Improved Grip strength
Mundane daily activities, such as regular typing, significantly impact forearm and grip strength negatively.
Bouldering, on the other hand, helps improve grip strength, depending on how often a climber climbs & the ability to hold on to the bouldering problems for an extensive period improves.
This is particularly good as improved forearm and grip strength significantly reduce median nerve compression (carpal tunnel syndrome).
5. Improved Flexibility
With no burden from ropes and other gear, a climber is at liberty to try out various movement forms as he ascends a bouldering route. Bouldering routes can often be tricky, especially routes graded for intermediate and experienced climbers.
In the course of climbing such routes, a climber may have to stretch and carry out a wide range of movement. Engaging in such stretching helps the climber body become flexible, making it relatively easy to ascend faster.
6. Improved Muscle Strength
A significant advantage of bouldering, which extends to other forms of indoor climbing, is that almost every muscle is used in climbing. A climber biceps and triceps and lower leg muscles help him ascend.
He grips the artificial rock while his abs and abdominal muscle help the climber stay balanced, especially when trying out tricky movements.
This helps exercise the muscles, which is a less rigorous exercise than weight lifting and an intensive gym session.
Bouldering remains a perfect alternative to visiting the gym.
7. Improved problem-solving skills
As a climber navigates any climbing route, indoors and outdoors, he is faced with difficult challenges, which requires several trials before success is achieved.
As a climber tries repeatedly, his problem-solving ability improves. This is evidenced by the experience of Czech Adam Ondra, one of the world’s best climbers.
It took him four weeks to practice the first ten steps of his climb on a bouldering route when he was preparing to climb the most challenging route in the world, which he named Silence.
Summary
Bouldering, which can also be known as indoor rock climbing, is a great way to exercise and strengthen the core body muscle. The benefits of bouldering are astonishing in terms of stamina and overall health.
Conclusion
According to Bouldering Boss, bouldering also helps to minimize stress. Please let us know your thoughts on the benefits of bouldering in the comments section below.
See 10 Best Bouldering Shoes For Beginners: Review & Buying Guide, 12 Essential Bouldering Tips For Beginners, and Bouldering vs Rock Climbing: Difference and Similarities.
