ON THE ROCKS

We bring you a guide to indoor bouldering, a physical and mental workout far more engaging than the gym

- Radhika Agrawal

We don't work out just to look good. Fitness means different things to different people, be it staying in top shape, blowing off steam after a rough day, taking care of one's health, or even making new friends. While the gym has been the most common and accessible platform for achieving these goals, it often falls short when we look at fitness from a more holistic lens.

Doing versions of the same exercise over and over on leg, chest, and back can lead to a dwindling drive in many people. Perhaps that's why so many gym memberships are abandoned midway. If you're someone who seeks a more present and participative workout - one that challenges both your body and your mind - indoor bouldering might be just the thing for you.

Bouldering is a type of free climbing performed on boulders or small rocks. When we say 'free', we mean it is practiced without the use of safety harnesses or ropes, though crash pads offer some security. "Indoor bouldering allows you to simulate the movement of climbing on real rocks in a safe and controlled environment," says Vrinda Bhageria, co-founder of BoulderBox, a bouldering gym in Delhi. She explains that the most obvious difference between outdoor and indoor bouldering is that everything is largely pre-determined in the latter. "The climbing routes are defined by using the same colour holds, the grade level of difficulty is mentioned, and the route setter has a certain path in mind when designing the movement," she says. And, of course, the climbing gym comes equipped with safety mats all over the floor, unlike the outdoors.