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21 Mar 2025
In recent years, bouldering has gradually become a new choice for many sports enthusiasts, because this sport is not affected by the weather, and more and more indoor bouldering gyms have appeared in Hong Kong. Many people mistakenly think that bouldering and climbing are the same sport. In fact, the two are different in equipment, skills and venues. Next, JC Fit City will introduce the differences between climbing and bouldering, as well as beginner bouldering techniques, and finally share some public indoor climbing facilities in Hong Kong, so that you can better understand this challenging sport.
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Climbing is a sport developed from mountaineering. This sport usually uses professional equipment, such as safety belts, ropes, etc., and challenges oneself at heights. However, outdoor rock climbing is affected by the weather, so indoor artificial climbing walls have gradually become popular. The artificial climbing wall is designed at different angles, and climbing holds are added to the wall as footholds. Climbers need to wear safety belts and ropes, and are protected by a belayer on the ground to prevent climbers from falling.
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In terms of height, climbing height usually exceeds 10 meters, so challengers need a certain amount of courage and skill. In order to ensure climbing safety, climbing chalk, ropes and safety belts are required for climbing.
As for the popular bouldering in recent years, the height is relatively low compared to ordinary climbing, so it is usually a horizontal movement, which is also different from climbing that pursues climbing to the top. The height of bouldering is generally about 4 to 5 meters, and is equipped with thick soft pads for protection, which reduces the risk of falling. Generally speaking, there is no need to use ropes or safety belts, and the movement is more flexible and free.
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Feature | Climbing | Bouldering |
Height | 10 meters or above | 4 to 5 meters |
Equipment | Requires safety belt and rope | No need to wear safety belt and rope, only climbing shoes |
Skills | Need to learn rope skills | Practice safe falling methods |
Number of people | Requires two people to cooperate: climber and belayer | One person can participate |
Climbing route | Climb upwards | Move horizontally |
Whether you need anti-slip powder | To keep your hands dry, you need to use magnesium powder | You also need magnesium powder to increase friction |
Basic Posture and Skills
In order to maintain the balance of the body, try to keep three supporting points on the wall when climbing, such as both hands and one foot or only feet and one hand, and the body should also be close to the wall to maintain the center of gravity. During the climbing process, the center of gravity should be lowered to avoid excessive force on the hands, which easily consumes physical strength, making the hands unable to support the body. Keep your knees bent, use the strength of your legs, and you can also adjust your posture more flexibly.
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In addition, before taking the next step, observe the landing point clearly to ensure that you step accurately and reduce the chance of slipping. When stepping on the handle, use the tip of your foot, and you can flexibly rotate your foot later.
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How to Choose a Route
Indoor bouldering gyms generally have climbing routes of different difficulty levels, and use the same color to set the route. Climbers can only use the handles of the same color during the process. The difficulty level of bouldering is divided into V0 to V16. The larger the number, the more difficult it is. The highest difficulty in Hong Kong's indoor bouldering gyms is generally V7. Beginners can ask other experienced climbers for advice, choose simpler routes first, and then gradually challenge more difficult routes.
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Safety Precautions
Since bouldering does not require wearing safety belts and ropes, if you fall from the rock wall, you will fall on the thick soft pad, so you should learn the correct falling techniques to reduce the risk of injury. Try to avoid straightening your legs or feet, supporting the ground with your hands, or leaning your body forward when landing, as the impact force will cause damage to your body.
Jump backwards first, keep your knees slightly bent, put your hands in front of your chest, tuck your chin, and your feet should touch the ground at the same time when landing, and then roll backwards to reduce the impact force.
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Bouldering Terms
Knowing the basic terms is very helpful for beginners to learn rock climbing:
● Beta: All the information about the climbing route, including body center of gravity and posture, forward direction, hand and foot landing points, etc.
● Problem: Refers to a climbing route
● Crux: The part of the rock climbing route that requires higher skills and is the most challenging
● Slab: A wall with an incline of less than 90 degrees
● Face: A 90-degree vertical wall
● Overhang: A wall with an outward tilt greater than 90 degrees
● Top: The last handle (Hold) on the route. Touching the Top with both hands at the same time means completing a route.
● Match: When climbing, two hands grab the same Hold, it is called Match Hand.
● Flash: A route that has never been climbed and has never fallen, and can be completed for the first time
● Pump: After a lot of climbing, the arm becomes muscle fatigued, sore and weak
Bouldering Clothing
Bouldering does not have specific clothing, but choosing the right clothes can reduce the chance of injury. Bouldering requires both hands and feet, so it is best to wear comfortable, wear-resistant and elastic clothes, so that it will not restrict the movement of the body. In addition, breathable and quick-drying fabrics help to wick away sweat.
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Strength Training to Enhance Bouldering
When climbing, core strength helps to maintain body stability. It is recommended to do some core muscle strength training and back muscle training to improve bouldering performance:
● Yoga
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● Sit-ups
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● Plank
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● Side plank
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● Leg raises
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Indoor climbing gyms have always been popular among climbing enthusiasts. In fact, sports centers under the LCSD have 4 major indoor climbing facilities. Please note that if you want to reserve and use the LCSD's climbing facilities, you must hold a valid Level 2 or above sports climbing training certificate issued by the relevant sports association. If you do not have a relevant certificate, you must be accompanied by at least two people, one of whom must hold a valid Level 2 or above sports climbing training certificate, and the other must hold a valid coach certificate issued by the relevant sports association.
Island East Sports Centre
There are two indoor climbing facilities on the 4th floor of the Sports Centre, each 6.5 meters high and 2 meters wide, with a total of two climbing routes.
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● Address: 52 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong (https://maps.app.goo.gl/YvMFEgAPrbXHaU3s6)
● TEL: 2151 4070
● Opening hours: 07:00–23:00
● Venue information: Click here
Tai Kok Tsui Sports Centre
The climbing facilities are located on the 7th floor of the Sports Centre. Wall A is 9 meters high and 11 meters wide; Wall B is 9 meters high and 13 meters wide, with 10 climbing lines.
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● Address: 6/F, Tai Kok Tsui Municipal Services Building, 63 Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon (https://maps.app.goo.gl/KJ6udQXk9skrzzk16)
● TEL: 2393 1084
● Opening hours: 07:00–23:00
● Venue information: Click here
Lei Yue Mun Sports Centre
The climbing facility is 11 meters high and 9 meters wide, with 9 climbing lines.
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● Address: 2/F–5/F, Lei Yue Mun Municipal Services Building, Yau Tong, Kowloon (https://maps.app.goo.gl/j5YK8N9axC63wqpc7)
● TEL: 2349 3954
● Opening hours: 07:00–23:00
● Venue information: Click here
East Kai Tak Sports Centre
The climbing facility is converted from a squash room, 7 meters high and 50 meters wide, with a total of 20 climbing routes.
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● Address: 30 Luk Hop Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon (https://maps.app.goo.gl/zYyQE96wxeFSD7CP7)
● TEL: 2326 9940
● Opening hours: 07:00–23:00
● Venue information: Click here
Climbing and bouldering are both fascinating sports, suitable for all types of sports enthusiasts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber, bouldering can bring you endless fun and challenges. If you also want to discover new sports, JC Fit City's App has different sports experience classes, see if there is any you are interested in!
