Indoor climbing

Indoor climbing is a form of increasingly popular climbing performed on artificial structures that attempt to replicate the sensations of climbing on real rock, but in a more controlled environment. Indoor climbing is also popular in regions where the climate is often inadequate to practice outdoors.

In addition to offering an alternative in bad weather, many active adults can go climbing indoors after work, even if it is dark outside. To move forward, as in any sport, regular practice is crucial. With the advent of indoor climbing, time, seasons, and long working hours are fewer obstacles to steady progress and enjoyment of sport.

This feeling of safety was of course a consideration: an indoor climber may head towards the cliffs and realize that he lacks the skills needed in such a context, without anchors and obvious route. The proliferation of indoor climbing has improved accessibility and the popularity of climbing. Since this configuration, environmental conditions (on the structural integrity of climbing surfaces, equipment, and proper use of it) may be more controlled, it makes indoor climbing an introduction more safe within the sport.

Manufacturing techniques and equipment

The first indoor walls tended to be composed mainly of bricks, leaving little room for interesting ways because of the stiffness of the wall and the limited variety of catches.
The construction method is the most common, consisting of screw-catch resin on slabs of wood.

These plates can be of varying height and stiffness and carry a wide variety of outlets (for small “strips” to large “handles”), sometimes with crash pads to foot tract (mattress used for practice outside the block). This variety, with the possibility to change the disposition of the catch on the wall has led to making indoor climbing a sporting success. A beam and a pan generally complete the equipment of the room.