If you still do not know or have not heard of bouldering, we suggest you read this article where we clarify everything. We tell you what you need to know, what it consists of and how you can practice it.
What is bouldering?
Bouldering is a very fun activity that we could define as a type of climbing that is carried out on rock or on a wall , natural or artificial and whose displacement it is usually done horizontally.
This variant of climbing is so peculiar because in its practice it does not have any type of implement or material such as harnesses or ropes, but is carried out only with the help of climbing shoes and your own hands.
Unlike climbing, it is done on rocks or cliffs whose height does not usually exceed 5 meters . We must bear in mind that, by not wearing restraints, in case of failure it is necessary to avoid falling from a height that could cause damage.
For the above reason, it is usually practiced laterally on complicated walls but whose height is not very high.
To protect the impact of a possible fall against the ground, some material that allows cushioning is usually placed . The most used materials are usually foam rubber or some type of padded fabric.
Although bouldering as such began practicing outdoors, this trend, which in recent years has been growing exponentially, has led to the creation of artificial walls to attract more and more public and to be able to practice indoors.
If you do not yet have experience in this activity, it is advisable to start practicing in this type of artificial enclosure. Once you have reached a certain level, you will be able to face nature progressively .
Advantages of practicing this activity
The main advantage that this activity offers us is, without any doubt, its ease to be able to practice it anywhere and without the need for any type of specific material.
Unlike vertical climbing, which requires great security measures and numerous specific materials to carry it out, bouldering only requires specialized footwear that allows you a good grip on the wall . In addition, this activity is usually less dangerous than climbing, since by not climbing to a great height, the risk of falling or impact is minimized.
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What should you keep in mind when practicing it?
This variant of climbing is very technical , since you will continually find complications on the wall, and you will have to adapt your body by placing your feet and hands in points that allow you not to fall.
Due to this, it is always recommended to practice the activity with a partner who can guide you verbally from the ground. The role of this will be essential, in the first place, to give you support from below and help you choose correctly where to place the next support.
Second, the assistance of a partner is essential so that they can give you help when you need it. Let’s not forget that the risk of injury in these types of activities is always present , so it is very important not to practice these types of activities alone.
Benefits of bouldering
With this activity you will not only work the muscles of your arms, but all the muscles of your body will benefit from the practice of this type of climbing.
Flexibility is also a quality that will be stimulated in bouldering since it will be necessary to try to place the arms and legs in each of the positions to be performed.
You will also need a strong core that allows transferring the necessary force to the extremities to stay on the wall and not fall and be able to support your body when moving.
One hour of bouldering activity is estimated to consume around 600 calories , so your body composition will also be modified. You only have to see the bodies of the practitioners of this type of sport, you can see that they are kept with a low fat percentage that allows them to show off strong and well-defined bodies due to their low adipose tissue.
But the benefits of bouldering are not only on a physical level, but on a mental level you will also notice enormous improvements. Keep in mind that, to move up the wall, you will need to continually solve problems, so you will have to think and find an alternative to solve that setback.
As you can see, a bouldering session will make you focus one hundred percent on the activity you are doing, so you will forget about stress or problems during sports practice and once it is finished, you will be a new person.
Conclution
Bouldering is taking more and more prominence in sports. Thanks to the fact that it is an activity that can be carried out both outdoors and indoors, it can be practiced at any time of the year , which is why it is gaining more and more users in its practice.
In addition to being a fun activity and intended for all audiences (always adapted to the level of the subject), it will provide you with numerous benefits both physically and mentally. If you have not tried it yet, we advise you not to miss the opportunity to practice it in 2021.
It is a magnificent opportunity to discover new places and have totally different experiences than the ones you are used to.
