Activities for Bouldering Walls

A bouldering wall is a climbing wall that contains artificial climbing holds that allow a climber to train and exercise. Various games and other activities can be completed on a bouldering wall to increase strength and the ability of the climber to memorize different routes. Games and activities can be used to help a climber focus on body position and positioning of hands and feet on climbing holds.

  1. Add On

    • A popular activity completed on a bouldering wall is a game known as "add on," in which the route two or more climbers take to climb a wall is determined by all the climbers. During "add on," the first two holds used by the climbers is agreed upon before the activity starts. Then the first climber completes the two holds and adds two more. The next climber completes the four-hold route and then adds two more holds to the route. Each climber adds two holds to the route in turn, until the route cannot be completed or the climbers agree to end the activity. This activity can help climbers memorize different routes in a short timespan.

    Dynamic Movement

    • The activity known as "dyno" is a game where climbers attempt to jump between various holds on a quiet bouldering wall. This allows each climber to understand and gain confidence when jumping between climbing holds. During dyno activities, safety should be an important factor, with spotters positioned at the foot of the wall to catch a climber if they fall from their hold. Dyno activities should only be completed on walls with few climbers to avoid injury and collisions. Mats should also be positioned at the foot of a bouldering wall to increase safety.

    Endurance

    • Many activities are completed on bouldering walls to relieve the monotony of climbing a wall with the same holds over a period of time, according to Rock Creation Inc. Activities can also be used for training with some games used to increase the endurance of a climber. "Get dressed" is an activity that helps climbers build endurance and use rest periods effectively. Clothing can be hung from holds on the wall or thrown to a climber as they climb a bouldering wall. Each time a climber reaches a piece of clothing they must put the piece of clothing on before continuing to climb the wall.

    Time

    • The game "time’s up" is often used on bouldering walls to allow climbers to work on their memory, endurance and stamina. During this activity, a time limit is set for each climber to boulder as far up the wall as possible, after each round of climbers attempting the game the time limit can be increased to allow more holds to be completed.