If you like clambering over rocks, but towering heights make you feel dizzy, you might want to consider giving bouldering a go.
You will be climbing, but the maximum height involved is 4.5 metres - an elevation at which the thick floor mats will safely cushion any fall.
A form of free climbing often performed indoors or on small rock formations, bouldering is no longer a niche sport and saw its Olympic premiere in 2021, says Fabian Pelzer, lecturer at the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG).
If you fancy giving it a go, here are three questions answered before heading to climbing gym.
What should I wear?
Bouldering requires special climbing shoes, and you can usually rent them in many gyms. The shoes are specially made to fit very snugly on the foot, and the sole is reinforced on the toes - especially the big one, giving you a good grip.
In terms of clothing, "you should wear sportswear that doesn't restrict your mobility," recommends Pelzer.
Which route should I pick?
Indoor bouldering walls usually feature a plethora of differently-coloured holds bolted onto the wall creating different climbing routes.
Besides marking a route, the different colours often indicate different difficulty levels though some gym might provide labels next to the starting holds.
It might seem confusing at first but is actually quite straightforward as "you always follow the same-coloured holds," Pelzner says.
While completing one route, you're not allowed to use holds marked in other colours, even if they are within tempting reach.
You've successfully mastered a route when you're able to hold the top hold securely with both hands for three seconds, Pelzer explains.
What climbing techniques should I know?
When bouldering, you don't have to rely on arm strength alone, in fact it's easier if you use your legs to push your body upwards. The key is to "place the shoe with the reinforced part of the sole on the big toe in a stable position," says Pelzer. This relieves the muscles in your arms and hands.
Your arms should remain stretched out as much as possible when climbing. If you climb with bent arms, you will lose a lot of strength.
It's particularly important for beginners to know the three-point rule. This means that three out of your four limbs should always be in contact with the wall, with only one arm or leg moving at any given time. This will make you feel safer - especially when you get closer to the end of the route and the distance to the ground might seem a little more daunting.
