What is bouldering vs rock climbing reddit. In this article, we’ll define bouldering vs.
What is bouldering vs rock climbing reddit What makes you enjoy sport/trad climbing? Is it the adventure? The physical challenge? Getting a little scared running it out but keeping the headspace you need to execute? All of the above? Bouldering is similar, but I think boulderers and trad climbers are driven by different things. Most climbers climb in gyms. My plan is as follows: 1. Kinda assumed the climbing gym would be the same, but I feel quite underdressed at my gym. ” Feb 28, 2024 · Bouldering represents the essence of rock climbing, capturing the challenge and thrill of scaling rocks with minimal equipment. free climbing: using only your body and the rock's natural features to climb, while having ropes as backup in a fall. Has anyone experienced that before? Edit : worth mentioning that the fire isn't there as much when I'm indoors, might maybe explain something? Apr 26, 2024 · Bouldering (also called block climbing) is practised on short stretches of rock faces or small walls, without the use of ropes, harnesses or belay devices. Jun 16, 2021 · The popular consensus is that bouldering is harder than top-roping and rock climbing, even though the three sports are fundamentally different from each other. bouldering will definitly help you get in better shape (and probably in a fun way too), but it wont reflect 100% what you want to achieve if you dont want to get only better at bouldering. If we go by height of climbers at the elite level, yes, being tall seems to be more of a liability than being short. 11- so gyms fudge the low grades to make bouldering more approachable for beginners. What are the best bouldering apps? Do they serve different purposes? Curious to see what people use and why. rock climbing? In this post, we answer your questions, tell you why people like one over another, and more. Started at Vital BK (first 100 members), switched to Cliff Gowanus last year; now switched back to Vital and sometimes GP81. [1] Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that involves lower walls and more technical movements, and is done without ropes or harnesses. Climbing certainly has more of a skill component than "pure" strength/fitness sports, like weightlifting or running. Nov 30, 2024 · Discover the differences between bouldering and rock climbing, including height, equipment, and grading systems. What's quite interesting is that on one hand barriers to outdoor climbing are higher (transportation, physical distance, etc), if you're lucky enough to live near rock, it can be cheaper and more accessible over the longer timeframes. The home of Climbing on reddit. rock climbing debate once and for all! What is Bouldering? Based off my experience climbing 5 or 6 V grades below my max, I imagine for someone like Daniel Wood the difference between V10 and V11 isn't any much more than the difference between V6 and V7. aid climbing: using ropes and gear to pull yourself up the mountain. that takes time away from the crux moves. If you are set on only bouldering, you will be more happy with the boulder one in the long run, but keep in mind that with rubber there is a little loss in comfort. When I look online there are so many options it’s overwhelming, I was leaning towards Marmot or black diamond only because I used their products in the past with good results. Liquid chalk is good for bouldering, but if you’re rope climbing (particularly leading) you’re going to be a spectacle trying to put on liquid chalk. People use strong arm and leg muscles to push off hard and pull themselves up quickly between holds on the wall. Interestingly enough, my indoors grades (bouldering) dropped a bit. MembersOnline • crimpy_thang ADMIN MOD I've always used whatever chalk ball is cheapest in gooutdoors or decathlon but having seen a YouTube video comparing the best chalks I'm now intrigued as to whether I'd notice the value of a more premium brand. For bouldering I use a chalk ball or loose chalk. It is a big gap from the perspective of the V10 climber, but is it really a big gap for the V16 climber? Is it that V grades are non linear, or is it that our perspective of them is nonlinear. On longer Apr 10, 2022 · With the rise of bouldering gyms worldwide, especially in big cities, it’s essential to look at what bouldering exactly is and how it relates to rock climbing. This is the former original Gowanus location of Brooklyn Boulders which got acquired by Seattle Bouldering Project. Some of them teach pitched climbing on snow and ice, short pitching and roping on rock, and general rock and rope skills, but nowhere does it seem like climbing is necessary. Every kilogram that I lost was immediately noticed on the walls. Bouldering is the act of technical rock climbing on short walls or large boulders; either for climbing practice or as a sport in its own right. Mar 1, 2021 · Bouldering vs rock climbing, so what is the difference exactly? And which is better for beginners? This and more answered! you could make it much simpler. It is harder to maintain consistently good results in bouldering than in lead climbing. That's not the workflow you'd prefer, but it works and allows you to use a watch that doesn't have a specific profile. Bouldering is the practice of climbing short and challenging routes without the use of ropes or other safety equipment. What’s everyone’s opinions on rock climbing as an alternative to going to the regular gym, or just to a regular workout? Reddit's rock climbing training community. TLDR; I love mountaineering, but I don't like bouldering and I am not convinced by rock climbing. This article will show how bouldering and rock climbing differ. Warm up with jumprope to get my heart rate up Super set regular pull ups with jumprope for 3 sets Super set reverse grip pull ups with jumprope for 3 sets Super set shoulder shrugs with cleans for 3 sets Bouldering session (Usually 1. A subreddit for the indoor bouldering community. My ranking in terms of grading (toughest to softest): - GP81 - Cliff LIC (some interesting problems but Jan 18, 2023 · The two common bouldering grading systems are Font (Europe, Asia) and the V-scale (North America). Even those who don't care at all about performance on boulders. It all read pretty light and jokey, infused with actual information, to me. Both deliver thrills, yet each activity has its own appeal. True V1 is around 5. Jun 21, 2025 · Rock climbing is a broad category of sports that involve using your hands and feet to ascend a wall or rock face, and often requires safety equipment like ropes and anchors. Reply reply terriblegrammar • Reply reply more replyMore replies Bachaddict • Reply reply More replies CptnCumQuats • Reply reply More replies unixwasright • Reply reply At request of the members of the subreddit, this is the weekly r/rockclimbing general conversation thread. Is there a benefit to wearing full t shirts and big pants? Normal climbing shoes without a rubber are not made for toehooking and will be short lived if you do that, depending on your level of experience and style of bouldering. The people I know who progress pretty quickly at lower grades on rope split time between bouldering and roped climbing-- progressively shifting towards more bouldering as a percentage of training as their roped climbing grades have gone up. And to continue the analogy, the boulderer, like a sprinter, tends to climb in a more Try bouldering in a bouldering gym. In this post, we compare these two sports and provide the pros and cons of each. Most gym setters are not World Cup level setters. What's the best rock climbing gym for bouldering? I'm new to Toronto and am a big indoor boulderer. What are some of your favorite pants to climb in? Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best 863key • As a fitness regime, I feel like rock climbing doesn't make me lose weight or get ripped. Been pushing back into the V8 range after taking a year off of climbing during covid, which generally seems to be my plateau. I didn't see anything about this in this sub from the recent past, so I thought I'd ask. Bouldering is "all cruxes" and lets you dial in hard moves very efficiently, whereas on a route you have all the gear setup, easy non-crux climbing, etc. free soloing: same as free climbing minus any and all protection. We’re here to settle the bouldering vs. So, yes, you will likely improve if you add bouldering to your session. Oct 21, 2023 · Choosing between rock climbing and weight lifting can be hard to choose. Me: v5~, started climbing infrequently 2 yr ago. I prefer chalk balls though. Read now! Bouldering is what most of us would call Rock Climbing, AKA climbing vertical walls, usually with ropes and carabiners and such unless you're Alex Honnold. Mar 15, 2024 · Bouldering vs. 5-2 hours on Monday, just climbing to the best of my ability. Maybe with filters only including more than 10 in either discipline in the last 2 years or so. What’s your average? If you track that. 1. Why is this subreddit becoming so quick to see negativity rather than sarcasm, thoughtfulness, or even humor? I really think something is shifting, and maybe it's just the influx of people who are newish to climbing. Tried out bouldering this past Friday as I’m looking for something fun for weightloss. However, rock climbing very much makes me want to lose weight and get ripped. Get ready to start climbing with the right choice! Outdoor enthusiasts often ponder the differences between bouldering and rock climbing. I climbed in various countries and just can't compare grades. In fact, sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably – especially by folks new to the world of climbing. What is your grade bouldering vs sport vs top rope? I know that some people boulder v4/5s but can't climb 10s because of endurance. Unlike bouldering, rock climbing often involves the use of ropes, harnesses, and other safety equipment to protect climbers from falls during longer and more challenging routes. I'll be in the Natick/Framingham area, but will be going into the city/Cambridge a bit. I think of the relationship between indoor and outdoor grades as an X in both bouldering and sport climbing. Dedicated to increasing all our knowledge about how to better improve at our sport. Hi fellow climbers! Going to be in Boston next week to visit family and friends, and was planning on visiting a climbing gym during my stay. There is a rock climbing gym by my house, that has tons of walls and stuff, along with tons of exercise equipment kinda like a gym area. The same goes for bouldering. 54 votes, 56 comments. I normally do full body at the gym, but I was thinking of going rock climbing along with working out at the gym there. 10 is easier than 5. Rock Climbing: These are two distinct yet closely related disciplines within the world of climbing. For the lower grades I only use a chalk ball. From advice on which gym to visit to videos of world cup IFSC climbers, you can find it all here. Frequently bouldering can be done without recourse to ropes on low cliffs and boulders, where a jump to the ground is possible. Whereas for sport climbing, the French scale is used in Europe, and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is used in North America. I think I'm definitely going to want to dry all forms of climbing in the future, in particular outdoor rope assisted rock climbing. Bouldering involves climbing short walls without None of the mountaineering courses require climbing experience, and they do not teach rock climbing. From there on, you must be certain that you know your body very well and it's limits as to minimize muscle injury and tendon injury as well. this all comes up when googling either one, so I don't really see any additional value of the website. Boulderers eschew ropes and conventional climbing protection in favour of specialized crash pads placed beneath the climber to allow for safer climbing. As for toprope and/or lead climbing, I like to use liquid chalk for the harder grades, plus a chalk ball. However, they are actually quite different and refer to two different spectrums of the climbing world and community. There can be little question that such a phrase is apt, for bouldering is essentially one-pitch rock climbing which emphasizes moves of very great difficulty. Rope climbing is long, steady climbing at a much "lower" V grade equivalent that take insane amounts of endurance and strategy to get through in one shot. Liquid chalk is amazing. You will gain strength while practicing climbing skill, but you won’t gain climbing skill through physical training. Late to the thread; adding one more candidate to your list: Central Rock Chelsea, just opened two months ago (?). What are the differences between athletic tape marketed as dedicated climbing tape and just regular ol' athletic tape? Is 'climbing tape' worth the extra cash? Jun 23, 2024 · Rock climbing, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses various types of climbing, including traditional climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering. Any recommendations for a gym with some good bouldering walls? Last year I went to Central Rock in Framingham which was good for a short stay, and will probably end up I was wondering if climbing would be good for strength training as I don't enjoy bodyweight exercises or lifting weights. What Is Bouldering? The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the smallest feet. Reddit's rock climbing training community. I also think the difference between indoor and outdoor bouldering is far greater than with indoor/outdoor climbing. Sep 25, 2018 · In a nutshell, bouldering vs rock climbing is the same but different. Many setters, probably unintentionally, set problems for their own height, which . Reply We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Is this amount of calories burned common? It seems pretty high. You learn to pace yourself and climb with flow. Even at nationals, the sheer number of competitors is so much higher in bouldering its bound to be more competitive. If you are focused on building strength and power: Bouldering is better for building explosive strength, power, and precision. Not necessarily because he's the best, his ethos just seems to make sense to me. This one is different than the Hike and Climb activities, as it's designed specifically for slow-moving vertical (or near-vertical) climbs. Nov 22, 2022 · What about your own climbing experience? Even though both sport climbing activities have an important connection, there is a difference between these two things in their complexity. May 15, 2025 · Explore the key differences between bouldering and top-rope climbing to find the perfect style for your next adventure at Flip N Fun’s climbing wall! Jul 11, 2022 · Here’s how it works. Anyway, both make you better at them both, but the carryover from bouldering technique is better to routes than from routes to boulders. The climbing hours only include climbing at your intensity and the rests between those climbs. As the lockdown happened, I started climbing outdoors a lot more (restrictions ended much earlier here in Quebec) and climbing in grades in sport (and bouldering) climbing. You usually do it on boulder formations or artificial climbing walls. I’m assuming as I get comfortable with climbing it will get lower. I have a soft spot for this place since it's where I learned to climb, but haven't been back in the last few years with the proliferation of spaces with more dedicated climbing build outs. At the bottom of the grade range, indoor climbs are easier than outdoor climbs. Bouldering as a workout is indeed mediocre however bouldering as motivation was the best for me. You can record bouldering as "other" or "cardio" (or, hell, even running if you want) and the watch will record your heart rate and location etc, then change it after the fact to climbing or bouldering. These problems require a mix of physical strength, problem-solving skills, and Nov 30, 2024 · Bouldering vs Rock Climbing: Learn the differences, benefits, and which one suits beginners best. Should I still force myself to train in bouldering/climbing indoors, in order to climb mountains such as Mont Blanc, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Denali, Mt. #2 Lead climbing comps (spoken from my own experience so take it with a grain of salt) are noticeably less competitive than bouldering ones at most levels of competition. It Movement Rino is in a cool neighborhood with lots of bars and what-not. I hate that rope climbing is called “rock climbing” while bouldering is separate, but that’s how it was pre-1980’s. Apr 29, 2024 · Bouldering (also called block climbing) is practiced on short stretches of rock faces or small walls, without the use of ropes, harnesses or belay devices. While both involve scaling vertical surfaces, they differ in terms of equipment, techniques, and overall approach. #1 v4 is approximately equivalent to 11d if you are comparing the hueco and yds scales. A subreddit for the indoor bouldering community. 5-2 hours on Wednesday, training climbing as per Louis Parkinsons recommendations. Nov 8, 2023 · Trying to choose between bouldering vs. Are there any gyms that are particularly well regarded? In my experience every city usually has that one place that's leading the pack of climbing gyms. The French use this system for most things (apart from bouldering, for which they use the Font scale, and big Alpine routes, for which they use the UIAA scale, and mixed sport climbing, for which they use the M scale) and the British use it for sport climbing, where seriousness isn't a factor. I'm just about to start taking my climbing (bouldering in particular) seriously. I definitely notice a difference when I’m climbing at my limit. Boulder problems like traverses make the climber go from one end of a wall to another horizontally. Outdoors is rock/projects. rock climbing and discuss the implications in terms of difficulty, training safety, and equipment. RP grades between sport climbing and bouldering of athletes who do both also would be interesting. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. 5 hrs) Incline seated bicep curls super setted with kettle bell swings for 3 sets Overhead cable biceps curls Super settled with kettle bell swings for 3 sets Reddit's rock climbing training community. Focus on lifting correctly rather than lifting heavy and progress with the weight. (We're at 133K now!) I don't think u/n00bst4 was being negative at all. Something I do and could work for you is wear your beginner shoes to warm up in and then switch over to your moderate or aggressive shoes when you’re climbing at your limit. Interesting. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is done on small formations of rocks or artificial rock walls (aka boulders) without the use of ropes or harnesses. This sub tends to have more people with a focus on bouldering, the average bouldering grade tends to be a bit high for the sport grade led (compared to crux of sport route). They need to hold their body tightly during moves. I know climbing is generally much more explosive movements than long distance running but it does need a lot of stability and balance. You can try to combat this by doing endurance training while bouldering. The difference between bouldering and lead climbing has been shrinking during the last decade, especially since 2019. Apr 15, 2020 · What is the difference between bouldering vs climbing? We'll detail how they compare and help you decide what is best for you. Bouldering vs Climbing – Which is the fit for you? Climbing is a skill sport more than a strength sport. Unlike traditional climbing, bouldering does not use ropes or harnesses, and instead focuses on climbing short routes called “problems,” which are usually less than 6 meters high. Route climbing makes you more proficient. Feb 21, 2025 · Bouldering and top rope climbing are two popular forms of rock climbing. Bouldering focuses on power and strength in short bursts. Trad opens up more adventure-style climbing, tackling big walls and being out there on the wall for hours. This style gives intense challenges that workout people’s upper body, core, and finger muscles. [2] Rock climbing tends to require more stamina and works the legs, while bouldering Rock climbing in particular is pretty biased toward pulling, although if you're a good climber you'll push and use your legs quite a bit as well. Sep 8, 2023 · Bouldering and rock climbing are very similar. I kept losing weight because I wanted to climb longer and harder routes. Movement Baker is a solid climbing gym. I have a very different take on this. or people who can climb 12s but can't boulder v3/4s. In this article, we’ll define bouldering vs. I find that your rate of improvement is fastest when you're climbing for at least an hour (closer to two is ideal), three times a week. For the longer routes in rock climbing, it is necessary to have greater endurance and, like a marathon runner, the rock climber will move at a slower pace. They are a lot less messy. Bouldering focuses on power and technique, and allows you to repeat the same movements easily (from the ground, rather than climbing to a crux half way up a route). It’s bouldering only though. Also surprisingly durable for a high performance shoe, lasted 8 months before I resoled them could have probably pushed it another month or 2. This is what my Apple Watch reported. The major noticeable differences between rock climbing and bouldering are the height of the climb and using climbing equipment. Rainer, or Elbrus? Feb 26, 2025 · Whether it’s sport climbing or traditional climbing, rock climbing offers an opportunity to climb outdoors and experience a wide variety of challenges. Jun 15, 2025 · Explore the key differences between bouldering and traditional rock climbing in terms of setting, style, equipment, skills, training, and safety. Don’t want to miss this out! Let us see the difference between these sporting climbing activities and why one is more difficult. 5. My question/s is what benefits of bouldering set you up, if at all, for outdoor stuff? Think of grading in different environments (outdoors vs indoors, one area vs another area, different grading systems or disciplines, etc) as an inside comparison. Ive always climbed in gym shorts, but im looking into getting some climbing pants. " Being very tall, as well as very short, is most certainly a disadvantage in competition climbing. I recently started bouldering at an indoor place close to my home, I've been maybe 8 or 9 times over 6 weeks and I love it. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. To that end, I am more motivated to eat a little better, do some cardio and yoga, and do strength training than I would otherwise be. You get all the fun of climbing without having to get belayed or climb super high. Indoor climbing is inherently safer - outdoor you are more aware of the risk you are taking (lead Bouldering hard generally requires static finger strength for holding on to small holds while generating power using a combination of legs/back/arms, and contact strength for catching small holds dynamically. Bouldering is short, intense climbing. Gym climbing and outdoor are not the same and saying you can climb a certain grade based on what you can climb at the gym isn't representative of what you can climb outdoors. My knuckles have gotten pretty burly, though. Both sporting We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Bouldering allows for bigger muscles and lead climbing requires much more efficiency, trad climbing requires bigger balls. Back when the V system was established people rarely got into climbing via bouldering, as is now often the case. Anything related to indoor (and outdoor) goes. Not clear how you differentiate bouldering and rock climbing in your mind (as others said here, bouldering IS rock climbing as well). In bouldering, a person attempting the sport does not require to use a harness or rope because the climbing routes or bouldering routes are shorter- wall height is only 12-15 feet. For me it was always a convenience thing, more time climbing and less time waiting for someone. The responses you'll get may reflect that, if someone boulders V8 problems and is only leading 12- sport of course they will answer that the sport seems less injurious. Bouldering was seen as simply training for rock climbing. Dec 28, 2024 · What Is Bouldering? Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that focuses on short but intense climbs, typically on rocks or artificial climbing walls that are no higher than 20 feet (6 meters). On the other hand, a rock climber needs a rope and harness for rock climbing or rope Brooklyn Bouldering Project - $99 / month. Is it specifically to improve your climbing, to get strong, to look good? If you are just starting out I'd recommend doing a full body workout like Stronglifts, you do two alternating workouts, Squats, Bench, Rows and then Squats, Overhead press, deadlifts. And yes we are scared of falling. However, if you stop sport climbing for a while, you're going to lose some endurance. Which meant that when I climbed outdoor I didn't think I could specifically climb certain grades. Can mere mortal climbers really tell the difference in composition? Does a branded ball give chalk easier for swifter mid route chalking? In my experience bouldering can really help build strength and technique for tough moves in sport climbing. If you mean how they would perform, or is they are durable enough for outdoor climbing, that would be a valid question. Rock climbing vs bouldering: style The main factor that determines the style of rock climbing vs the style of bouldering is the height of the route. Go grab a bag of Friction Labs (or whatever else you want, I tend to prefer them over others, but it’s all both a personal preference and placebo effect). We present the main differences between bouldering vs rock climbing to help you choose your gateway into the wonderful world of climbing (Image credit: Getty Images) If you’ve been dreaming about unleashing your inner Spider-Man, you might be wondering where to start when it comes to types of rock climbing. Nov 4, 2024 · Bouldering and climbing each require their own physical skills. V4 is going to be easier than V5 indoors. Unlike traditional rock climbing, which often involves scaling long, multi-pitch routes, bouldering is all about overcoming short, challenging problems, often referred to as “boulder problems. Englewood is huge but outside the city. Warming up and socializing past your rest times would extend the total time. Comparing them is like trying to compare BMX biking and touring the country on a road bike. Been climbing for about 8 years now, primarily indoor bouldering with some occasional trad/sport and bouldering outdoors. 11 in your local sport climbing area. It really depends on what you want to gain from lifting. Feel free to talk about whatever! For this I blame the V-grade system, which is open-ended at the top but not the bottom. Bouldering allows you to train harder moves but you dont really have to be that proficient. The shoes definitely matter though depending on where you’re at in terms of climbing level. However, that's not where most climbers are so it seems like a little bit of a red herring to talk about it that way. ohgibpnhcymomnvmwuuqsssdmcbicxcgbvhsbmbhripmkjbrmhhhlzhwfpkgfqsoekvzjbwaxnhbmh