Indoor rock climbing and bouldering are growing in popularity in Ottawa, offering residents a new way to stay active.

Why swap the weight room for the climbing wall?

Wesley Reissner, an electrical engineering student at Carleton University, got into bouldering three to four years ago with his partner and friends.

“I had some friends recommend it during COVID-19. It was something social,” said Reissner.

If you are not someone who sticks to a strict workout plan at the gym, rock climbing may be worth considering.

“It’s very welcoming. There’s no air of superiority from people more advanced than you in the gym,” said Reissner.

“You can ask anyone questions.”

Bouldering is a full-body workout that builds strength, balance, flexibility and focus, according to The Climbing Academy. Beyond the physical benefits, climbing can also feel more like play than routine.

“I’m much stronger now than I was before. My flexibility and finger strength have also improved,” said Reissner.

Traditionally, going to the gym is not for everyone. Bouldering, however, offers an alternative for people looking to stay fit. It can also help with joint pain, thanks to the amount of muscle and joint activation involved, including areas that may not be used often in more traditional workouts.

“I never went to gyms. I did skiing, snowboarding and waterskiing, but never gyms,” said Reissner.

Eneke Van Marle, a student in the pharmacy technician program at Collège La Cité and Reissner’s partner, used to compete in triathlons and struggled with shoulder pain.

“I noticed after doing it for a year or two my shoulders were stronger, even when physio couldn’t help me,” said Van Marle.

“It’s better than physio.”

Climbing and your mental health

Beyond the physical benefits, bouldering can also have a positive impact on mental health. Stepping away from everyday stress to focus on a climb can be a cathartic experience, forcing climbers to stay present and engaged.

“I like going before or after exams. I’m a very stressed person,” said Van Marle.

“Even when I don’t feel like going, I’ll go to keep myself out of a spiral of stress.”

Even without using bouldering as an escape, reaching personal goals in the gym can be deeply rewarding. Completing a climb after several sessions or advancing to a higher grade can provide a sense of accomplishment that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Bouldering as a whole

Your first question may be: What is bouldering? In its simplest form, bouldering is rock climbing on small rock formations or, in this case, artificial rock inside a climbing gym. In both rock climbing and bouldering gyms, climbers follow what are called routes, sometimes referred to as problems.

Problems are short climbs that usually focus on technique, explosiveness and power. There is also a grading system that separates easier climbs from more difficult ones, depending on skill level.

Bouldering gyms have been popping up more frequently since the sport made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, with more than half a dozen now operating in Ottawa. That surge in popularity has helped create a welcoming environment and community for anyone interested in trying rock climbing.

“It grips you,” said Reissner.

Wesley Reissner climbing at Altitude Gym in Orleans Feb. 2. 

Eneke Van Marel climbing at Altitude Gym in Orleans Feb. 2. 

(Yes Jon I absolutely climbed up on the wall to take these pictures)