Is Bouldering The Coolest New Full Body Workout In London?

With the emergence of the primal fitness trend, Londoners are starting to look for ways to escape the fast-paced city lifestyle and get back to their animal roots – and climbing is one of the most primal workouts there is. So is it set to become the trendiest new full body workout in London? Katherine Lynch reports. 

Bouldering is a type of rock climbing that doesn’t involve the use of ropes or harnesses. While this may sound pretty scary (!) not only is it one of the best full body workouts out there, it’s also a great way to socialise with friends whilst working up a sweat. It’s exciting, tough, and seriously addictive.

London may not be known for its giant rocks – which, thankfully, is where the indoor climbing wall comes in – and it’s set to be one of the coolest full body workouts of the season!

“Bouldering and indoor climbing provide the perfect natural physiological stimulus in order to promote muscular strength and endurance; it also fosters a relaxed, fun, yet challenging environment – which further promotes the more psychological determinants of health and wellbeing,” says Josh Arnold, Sport and Exercise Physiologist at Southampton Solent University.

“Perhaps unlike your traditional gym, climbing centres tend to be very social places, filled with welcoming/friendly people and very much free from the usual ‘workout stereotyping’,” he adds.

So for Londoners looking to switch up their routine and get in touch with their inner monkey, bouldering is definitely the way forward.

Just some of the super health benefits of climbing include:

Enhanced strength and flexibility: You will be using your arms to help lift your whole body weight, and your legs to push off from holds, similar to doing lunges. Plus, all of the stretching to reach tricky holds and the need to position your body just right for maximum efficiency is great for increasing flexibility. First time climbers – expect to feel the burn the next day.

Toned body: Resistance training is one of the best ways to create a firm, toned physique. Climbing regularly significantly aids in increasing muscle definition – think incredibly toned arms!

Greater cardiovascular fitness: Climbing is great for getting your heart rate up – important for cardiovascular health. Bouldering can act as a form of interval training, as it involves periods of physical exertion with short periods of rest in between while you wait to move onto the next route, and is reported to burn up to an impressive 800 calories an hour.

Improved mental wellbeing: Bouldering can act as a wonderful stress reliever; you become so focused on the problem in hand that it clears your mind of everything else.

It aids other forms of exercise: This is one in particular for yogis – climbing helps to build a strong core and improve balance, which in turn will help to advance your yoga practice; while greater cardiovascular fitness will amp up your stamina when you’re hitting that hardcore spin session.

There are several places that you can get involved, with most centres offering introductory sessions for beginners and shoe hire, so you don’t need to waste money on equipment before you’re sure that this is the sport for you. And with new centres springing up across London, now is the time to hit the wall.

To try bouldering in London, visit: www.castle-climbing.co.uk (North London), www.archclimbingwall.com (South London), www.mileendwall.org.uk (East London), or www.sports.westway.org (West London)