How Climbing Gave Me Confidence: A Love Letter to Bouldering
Allowing yourself to be ‘bad’ at exercise and the comfort in the female climbing community …
“For some exercise is a chore, for others it’s their reason to get up in the morning. We all know the benefits of moving your body but it’s hard as an adult, especially as a woman, to find exercise that feels right. So many of us have horror stories from P.E that come flooding back just thinking about walking into a new class or starting out at the gym. I’ve always loved running but after graduating found myself short on time and lacking enthusiasm for long, solo miles. When a friend suggested going bouldering, a type of climbing without ropes or harnesses, I had no idea what I was signing up for or how much it’d change the way I saw exercise.
After that first wobbly lesson, I soon slipped into a new routine of trying out climbing gyms with friends after work. I’d arrive anxious and self-conscious, watching those who were stronger, leaner and fitter than me work their way effortlessly across the wall way above my head, but I’d always leave happy. Spending an hour or so laughing at myself as my feet slip off the holds and maybe, just maybe, making some progress means I always come away feeling better. The thing about bouldering is you don’t need fancy gear or expensive equipment, shoes can be hired and chalk borrowed, so you can just turn up.
Allowing yourself to be bad at something is the most refreshing thing you can do. When you take up a new hobby, especially one as physically demanding as bouldering, there’s no way you can expect yourself to be good at it straight away. The first time I squashed my feet into elf-like climbing shoes and accidentally covered myself in chalk I felt completely out of my depth. Taking away those expectations and having the freedom to just try it out was part of the fun. Almost symbolically, one of the first things you learn when bouldering is how to fall. The walls might only be four or five meters high but the moment between balancing at the top and letting yourself drop to the mat is stomach-twisting. You fall, get back up again and learn to trust yourself.
“It’s important to see the real side to moving your body, instead of the polished image we’re told to aspire to, and to know that some days are going to be better than others.”
A huge part of bouldering is puzzling out where your hands and feet are going to go. The routes get progressively harder – starting at V0 and working up to as high as V17 – so between navigating the holds and balancing your body there’s no room left in your brain for worrying. With my phone tucked away in my locker and my mind completely set on getting to the top of at least one tricky climb all racing thoughts from the day are forgotten. It becomes more about being there, enjoying the moment and spending time with friends, than getting a workout in. Climbing has completely changed my perspective on what exercise can be. It’s no longer something to be ticked off the to-do list and is instead time I carve out for myself to switch off and do something I love.
Diving deeper into the hobby found me up late at night watching videos of other climbers on YouTube and Instagram. It’s hardly surprising that the growth in popularity of climbing among women has run alongside the growth in social media platforms, they’ve always been spaces for under-represented groups to seek each other out. These online communities are a space to learn and connect but also a place where blistered hands, climbs gone wrong and bruised knees are every bit as documented as the wins. It’s important to see the real side to moving your body, instead of the polished image we’re told to aspire to, and to know that some days are going to be better than others. That sense of community translates offline too, by nature, bouldering is sociable. Climbers share wall space and look out for each other to make sure that no one gets hurt. Starting up conversations is as easy as asking “How did you do that?” If there’s one thing I’ve learnt is that climbers love to talk about their progress, so while I might not know all the terminology yet, I’ve found it’s a great way to meet new people. Having a sense of community, a place you can just turn up and feel at home, is rare to find especially in the realm of fitness.
I’m so glad that I took the leap and gave bouldering a go and, as soon as it’s safe to, I can’t wait to get back on the wall again. I’m grateful to anyone, friend or stranger, that has called out “You can do it” as I balance on one foot, hand outstretched, reaching for the next hold.”
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To read more from Emma you can find her on Instagram at @emmachallis or via her website: www.emmachallis.com.