As more and more people are flocking to bouldering and climbing gyms, maybe it’s your turn to find out if this sport is for you—and we’ve got a few places for you to try.
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Rock climbing and bouldering are totally nothing new in the world of hobbies, recreation, and sports, but they’re gaining plenty of new traction locally in the last couple of years. Indoor rock climbing, in particular, has grown quite popular among the younger generation, not just because of fitness, but also because of the community and the unique thrills and challenges it brings.
After reopening once pandemic restrictions eased, climbing gyms found renewed success as more people found a love and affinity for the sport. As of last year, we bet you know at least one person in your circle who’s been to a climbing gym. Trend or not, if you’re open to finding out if this sport is for you, check out these gyms in Metro Manila where you can bring climbing shoes, chalk, your problem-solving skills, and your openness to land flat on your butt.
CLIMB CENTRAL MANILA
Climb Central, one of the most popular climbing gyms locally, is the biggest air-conditioned climbing facility in the Philippines. Perfect for beginners or long-practicing climbers, it offers bouldering, auto belay, top rope, and lead climbing—the differences between which are determined by if and how you are anchored, how you get back to the ground, and if you are alone or with a climbing partner. An adult day pass at Climb Central for unlimited climbing is ₱650, but you can check their entry rates here and sign up for a schedule on their website. You can also avail of their programs if you you’d prefer learning with guidance.
Location: Unit 2, The Portal, Mayflower St., Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City
THE BOULDERING HIVE
The Bouldering Hive, or BHive, another of the most-populated climb gyms in the Metro (yes, the one actor Sang Heon Lee frequents during his time in Manila, along with Climb Central), is a premier bouldering gym in Circuit Makati. Bouldering is the free-form type of climbing with no harness, and is done closer to the ground. BHive’s got a wide variety of routes. They also hold classes for beginners and sessions for more advanced climbers. Go to their website to check out their packages and rates for passes and memberships.
Location: Upper Ground Floor, Circuit Lane, Circuit Makati
POWER UP CLIMBING GYMS
The many branches of Power Up Climbing offer different routes and types of climbing. Started in 1994, the gyms are open to everyone, from kids and beginners to even Philippine National Climbing team members. There are beginner and advanced routes, where you can exercise your problem-solving skills and try out some new strategies. Check the rates of each branch here.
Locations:
- Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX), B1 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
- Space 3305, Festival Mall Expansion, Festival Supermall, Filinvest Corporate City, Muntinlupa
- Centro Atletico, #25 West Road corner North Road, Cubao, Quezon City
- #690 Tandang Sora Avenue, Old Balara, Quezon City
EDGE CLIMB GYM BY TUD
Instagram/theupperdeckph
The Edge Climb Gym, with a towering outdoor climbing wall, is located at The Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig. The gym simulates more of an outdoor rock climbing experience, as its huge 7-story rock wall, with 14 top rope systems and 3 lead climbing walls, gives you the feeling of climbing a cliff face. Check out their rates and pass packages here.
Location: Ground Floor One, Technopoint Parking Building, Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Pasig City
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