Laurence Guyon is well-known when it comes to sports and performance. Former athlete in sport climbing, journalist, and coach, she is the co-founder of La Fabrique verticale, an online media about climbing and health, and the co-author of multiple training books in French.
Surfing on the trend for nature sports, climbing has gone from being a niche sport to a major trend in the space of a few years. This is not just because the number of climbing and bouldering gyms has exploded since the pandemic. The Olympic Games have undoubtedly also helped to raise the profile of climbing. As have advertising and the arrival of celebrities in the sport: Jason Momoa, Jared Leto, Kirsten Dunst, and Harry Styles.
Is this what has encouraged so many newcomers to the sport to flock to the gyms? It's hard to say. Far from slowing down, the boom in climbing gyms around the world never ceases to amaze. But is it really so surprising that young millennials, individualistic, connected, and autonomous, are so keen on indoor bouldering? In fact, there is no definitive explanation for the success of climbing. Rather, the phenomenon is multi-factorial. Climbing seems to have become a trendy sport for a number of reasons.
It's often said that the great thing about climbing is that it offers a wide variety of disciplines, from crag climbing to indoor bouldering, trad’ climbing, sport climbing, competition and big walls. This allows climbers, depending on their age and experience, to choose the form of climbing that best suits their preferences and skills.
But whether they're looking for physical challenges, a social community, or the opportunity to reconnect with nature, climbers are evolving. Climbing is clearly identified as an addictive activity. 84% of climbers say they climb very regularly, once a week or more. In fact, climbing is a sport that meets people's expectations. In a nutshell, it's a mix of social interaction and the quest for physical and mental well-being. This is clearly evident in the motivations expressed. ‘I want to look after my body’ for 47% of respondents. ‘I'm looking for fun and conviviality’ for 46%. The community aspect is also very often highlighted.
And you, are you ready to see how climbing can transform your life?
Climbing strengthens muscles and endurance
Contrary to what many beginners think, climbing doesn't just require strength in the upper body. Performance depends on a long list of physical factors, including foot technique and leg explosiveness. The movement also requires flexibility. To increase flexibility, more and more climbing gyms are incorporating yoga areas into their facilities.
Climbing stimulates brain function
In addition to its physical dimension, climbing involves problem-solving skills. The mental side of climbing is often overlooked. The movements involved in climbing require a great deal of body awareness. And the ability to decipher and understand what's in front of you. Very often, the solution is not as simple as you might think. You have to be able to focus on the holds to be grabbed and on the exact way to place your feet before loading the weight of your body on the supports.
All those hours out in nature don't hurt, either. Research shows that time spent outdoors can reduce ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) symptoms, improve memory, stimulate creativity, and even wake up your brain as surely as a cup of coffee.
Climbing reduces stress
Exercise has been shown to reduce stress by increasing levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that helps balance our brain's response to stress. In fact, some researchers suggest that it could be used to help treat a wide variety of mental disorders, including drug addiction, depression and anorexia.
But climbing itself has an extra ace up its sleeve compared to other physical activities. According to the University of Indiana, climbers who become totally involved in the activity enter a state of mind that can lead to euphoria. And even block out the pain. Outdoor climbing also has other advantages because time spent outdoors leads to lower stress levels.
Climbing conveys important value
For many, climbing is more than just a sport or a way to relax. ‘It's incredible physical exercise. But my favourite thing about climbing is the spiritual dimension,’ says Cedar Wright, writer, film-maker and climber. ‘From a mental point of view, climbing is an extraordinary school for concentration, balance, determination, and a whole set of values that it conveys.
A study published in the journal Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly explored the benefits of indoor climbing for maladjusted children. The research showed that after six weeks of climbing, the children's efficiency and their ability to belay improved considerably.
No climber is a stranger to the notion of challenge. ‘I think the benefits of climbing on the mind are a little more subtle to pinpoint than those it can have on the body. And I'm sure they're different for everyone. But I think it's a very stimulating sport’, explains Alex Honnold, a climber well known for his solos and for his speed records in bigwalls. ‘The process of overcoming your own fear all the time allows you to put other challenges in life into perspective.’
Read more from Laurence Guyon
Laurence Guyon, Journalist, Author, Coach and Founder
Laurence Guyon is a former top-level athlete in sport climbing. She is known for having won the Arco Rock Masters in 1995, and she was Vice World Champion the same year. An accomplished sportswoman, she has stood on numerous podiums and won several World Cup stages between 1992 and 1997. Today, she is still an active climber and provides resources and support to climbers searching for progression. Up to 2014, Laurence has been working as a chief editor of a French climbing magazine. Now, she has taken up a central position at Fabrique Verticale with the mission of sharing training techniques and sources of inspiration
