Why Bouldering Has College Students In A Tight Grip—And Where To Go For Your First Climb Near Campus

In a world of pilates, yoga, and cycling, there's another world that lies just beyond it, one that's been gaining traction these last few years. Picture towering walls—colorful plastic handholds and oddly shaped rock-like pieces decorating the surface. People standing around cushioned floors, their hands white with chalk; other people scaling the walls as though they were some real-life version of Spiderman.

Welcome to the wonderful world of bouldering, one of the newest crazes hitting the radar of college students. 🧗‍♀️  

But they aren't just flocking to bouldering gyms because they're a new, fun way to get fit—they're actually a breeding ground for connection. 

The way students meet and connect is evolving away from just spaces in school, in the same way that dating culture is shifting away from dating apps. The alternative? A shift towards how it used to be: meeting people in shared physical spaces where interaction feels more natural and less performative.

With students giving more and more importance to "organic encounters," bouldering gyms present something inherently social. You meet someone while spotting each other, you share tips on routes, you struggle through the same climb. 

Instead of bonding over small talk, people are bonding over shared challenges. So if you wanna get started on your first send, here are some bouldering gyms around Metro Manila schools you can visit—climb, connect, and chill, anyone? 

Location: 14 Economia Road, Quezon City, Metro Manila

One short ride away from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman is Boulder Space. It's exactly how you'd imagine a bouldering gym—a vast area spanning 1,335 square meters of walls with varying levels of climb difficulty, making it the country's largest bouldering gym.

There's also a cafe tucked in one corner for lunchtime and coffee breaks, a mini gym in the other in case you want to switch things up, and some tables and chairs for if you want to work on academic requirements for a bit. There's even a little playground with its own more child-friendly bouldering wall.

A day pass is P800 (P700 if you already own bouldering shoes), and it grants you access to all the zones. They even offer classes if you're new to bouldering and don't want to start alone, or if you're a self-proclaimed pro and would like to up the ante. You can find more information on their website. 

Location: 690 Road 1, Tandang Sora, Quezon City

Nestled near the UP campus, Power UP Climbing is the oldest climbing gym in the Philippines. With 32 years under its belt, the bouldering gym has been a frequent staple for many. If it's your first time bouldering and you want to simply try the activity, they offer a one-climb price of P200. They even have a route setter available to help you set your path!

All day climbs, on the other hand, range from P400 to P600 depending on the gear. On a budget? They offer students, PWDs, and senior citizens discounts for any of the passes, excluding the one climb.

When you need a quick energy boost, MEJO Kitchen can also be found next door where you can grab a quick bite.

Power UP also has other locations, such as Centro Cubao, ROX BGC, and Alabang.

Location: Upper Ground Level, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City; 3/F, GH Mall, San Juan

Far from Katipunan? While Bouldering Hive Makati is a few train rides away from De La Salle University in Taft, North-dwellers can head over to their second home at GH Mall in Greenhills.

Whether you're hitting the Makati spot or the San Juan branch, the rates remain the same: a day pass is priced at P700, with an additional P100 for gear rentals. Long-term commitments are also possible, as they offer monthly and yearly memberships starting at P3,250 a month. Classes in a range of difficulties are also available for bouldering enthusiasts looking to level up their technique.

Plus, if you're going with a special someone, both locations are conveniently tucked inside major malls—perfect for grabbing a post-climb meal or a quick coffee to extend your date!

As bouldering continues to grow locally as a sport and community, most university clubs remain focused on mountaineering. In UP, bouldering is also beginning to find its place.

Grip UP Sport Climbing Association is the only existing university-based climbing organization at the moment. They do frequent fundraising drives and competitions for its members.

Whether you're looking for an excuse to get out of the house or maybe you just want to try something new, bouldering gyms welcome you with open arms. It may feel like an uphill climb—literally—at first, but all routes lead somewhere. Sometimes, the goal's to reach the top, but other times, it's to find someone cheering you on from the bottom.

But at the bouldering gym, maybe you get both. 😉