Move over pilates, there’s a new fitness trend taking the spotlight as bouldering emerges as the reigning ‘it sport’, capturing the attention of celebrities and social media influencers alike. Spearheaded by icons like Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, and Jason Momoa, bouldering has swiftly climbed its way into the limelight, captivating enthusiasts across the globe.
With hashtags like ‘#bouldering’ amassing over 90 million views on TikTok, the resurgence of indoor climbing has been huge and it’s set to grow even bigger as we hit an Olympic year, where climbing and bouldering will be showcased on the global stage.
Contrary to traditional perceptions of cliff-face scaling, bouldering offers a dynamic indoor experience devoid of ropes, coupled with a laid-back atmosphere akin to that of a gym. This accessibility has contributed significantly to its widespread appeal among professionals and fitness enthusiasts seeking an exhilarating alternative to conventional workouts. In London alone, the number of climbing centres has soared from 10 in 2014 to an impressive 35 as of January 2024.
As well as the physical benefits – climbing provides full body workout and helps improve muscle tone, dynamic movement, agility, flexibility and balance – the sport also provides huge mental benefits. Inspiring problem solving and mindfulness research shows that climbing can also help to improvement mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Ollie Rooke, Marketing Manager at LCC, discusses the physical and mental benefits of the sport, “climbing delivers a full-body workout, exercising major and minor muscles and tendons from your feet all the way to, quite literally, the tips of your fingers. It’s not just a physical workout though, part of the challenge in climbing is working out the solution required to reach the top of the route in front of you. That’s why they’re commonly called ‘problems’, because each one requires a solution! That means climbing offers a unique blend of physical and mental challenge, which encourages mindfulness and has a noticeable positive effect on mental health.”
According to a survey conducted by the Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC) one million people engage in indoor climbing annually, with 100,000 individuals climbing at least twice a month. Notably, over 75% of climbers primarily choose indoor climbing facilities, reflecting the increasing popularity of indoor climbing centres like those operated by LCC.
London Climbing Centres has played a pivotal role in this climbing renaissance. From its humble beginnings with one centre in 2014 to eight thriving locations in 2023, LCC has witnessed a remarkable 121% increase in daily average visits and a staggering 734% surge in membership from October 2015 to October 2023. These achievements are particularly noteworthy amidst escalating competition within the industry.
London Climbing Centres boasts 11 locations across London and the North West, serves as a beacon for climbing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. From families to young professionals and students, their facilities cater to a diverse demographic eager to embrace the thrill of climbing.
For more information about London Climbing Centres, please visit www.londonclimbingcentres.co.uk.
