The new year will see a slew of Dubliners beginning or resuming their fitness journeys in order to become healthier and more active in 2023.
For most, the go-to place to work on one's fitness goals is the gym. Weights, treadmills and a variety of equipment often dominate the world of fitness, but there are other (often way more enjoyable) ways to keep fit.
If the gym feels like too much of a chore for you, then it might be time to try a an alternative to the gym. With that in mind, bouldering seemed like an exciting new hobby that would work my muscles and help me stay active.
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Awesome Walls in Finglas is the place to go for bouldering and rock climbing on Dublin's north side. Located at North Park, it is one of the largest indoor climbing centres in the world with more than 1,000 square metres of bouldering.
Bouldering, as opposed to rock climbing, is done without harnesses or ropes. Rather, you navigate a course of of artificial bricks dotted on a wall. Each colour is a different level of difficulty, with red being the easiest, then blue, green, orange and so on.
Naturally, your first time will consist mainly of you tackling red and blue courses, but it will give you a taste of just how enjoyable bouldering can be. Rather than being a workout that focuses on one particular part of the body, bouldering works muscles all over, including your problem solving skills.
How does bouldering feel? Well, your arms and legs are used a lot. While it doesn't get your heart racing like a HIIT class or a run on the treadmill, you are certainly getting a good workout. The more visits you have, the stronger you will feel. Everything from your arms to your back to your legs will feel the burn at first, but will gradually become stronger, enabling you to take on the more challenging climbs dotted along the walls.
As opposed to the gym, bouldering challenges your brain as well as your body, putting you in scenarios where you have to figure out which move to make to get further along the course you are aiming to complete. Just like how your body gets better at navigating the rocks, so does your brain.
A feature that characterises a bouldering session at Awesome Walls which will perhaps make it attractive to those intimidated by the typical gym environment is the friendliness of both the staff and the regulars who climb there. After a few visits, you will find yourself seeing the same faces and chatting about the various courses in the centre, exchanging tips on how to best complete them.
The importance of enjoyment when it comes to fitness cannot be overstated. An activity that feels like a chore or a job will not last, and you may soon be beating yourself up for your lack of discipline. But that strict self-motivation doesn't come into play so much when you find an activity that challenges your brain and enables you to be surrounded by friendly people who are there for one main reason: to enjoy themselves.
A bouldering session at Awesome Walls costs €17 or €13.50 if you become a member. First time visitors will have to book an induction which costs €20, but also includes a session. The only equipment you need is chalk and climbing shoes, which can be rented there.
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