Climbing and bouldering is a popular new trend among people of all ages looking for a different type of exercise that isn’t limited to classes at the gym, jogging on the sidewalk, or the latest craze video. While there are other ways to get fit at home, rock climbing offers people a unique way to get a full-body workout while having fun, from the comfort of their own home.
Want to learn how to build your own block wall at home? Keep reading to find out more.
Image by Phillip Sanchez via Escalation
Design your block wall at home
If you’re not an expert at rock climbing or bouldering, you’ll want to visit as many climbing gyms and see as many house walls as possible before trying to design your own wall. Consult people at climbing gyms, ask to take measurements and get a real feel for wall angles. Doing this kind of research will allow you to design a dynamic, interesting and practical block wall at home.
You will also want to evaluate the spaces in your home in which you plan to build your block wall. For example, if you want to install it in your garage, you will need to make sure you leave enough space to park your car. Other things you should consider include:
- Have the area you are considering inspected for stability
- Ensure the area has adequate lighting and ventilation
- Waterproof your wall if you place it outside
- Give yourself enough room to fall comfortably without hitting anything
After you decide on the orientation and location of your climbing wall, draw or build a model to get a better idea of what it will look like. This will give you the ability to create more dimensions such as curves and complex shapes. Your scale model must use equivalent dimensions and must include other design elements, including floor-to-ceiling height, width of anchor structure, thickness of wall studs, thickness of plywood sheathing, the location of lighting and ventilation systems. , and falling space.
From there, you can make a materials list of what you need, including:
- drill
- A jigsaw or handsaw
- Tape measure
- hammer
- Allen key
- Carpenter’s Speed Square
- Framing materials (plywood panels, studs, wood screws)
- Climbing holds
- T-nuts and bolts
You can find many of these materials at a home improvement store or online marketplaces like Craigslistbut for some materials, like climbing holds and T-nuts, you will need to go to specialized stores or climbing equipment outfitters.
Build your block wall at home
When building your block wall, it is best to attach a wall to an existing wall or structure to eliminate the need for supports and framing materials. Block walls are heavy and the existing wall you attach it to must be strong enough to support both the dead load and the climber, regardless of their weight. Calculating the strength and weight your bouldering wall needs to account for is a difficult task, so consult someone who works in engineering, construction or climbing.
As a guide, it is suggested that wall panels with a slope greater than 20 degrees have a vertical protection panel at the bottom for your feet and that secondary wall panels be used to bridge the gap between climbing walls.
Climb your wall
Before you start climbing, make sure throw away all the debris from the construction process, any nails or screws lying around the area and any clutter that may get in the way of protecting your bouldering mat. Once the construction and cleaning is complete, it’s time to climb! Like before you had your own wall at home, make sure you warm up beforehand to avoid injury. Also be sure to perform regular inspections and maintenance of your wall and surrounding areas to stay safe.
Image of the king respect via HoMonGarden
Haley is originally from Gilbert, Arizona. Some of his favorites include Arizona sunsets, Midwestern greenery, the outdoors, and tasting new craft beers. “There is no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this.”