Climbing gyms reach new heights, but could hit a wall

INDOOR rock-climbing has reached new heights of popularity in Singapore in the last 2 years, with a proliferation of homegrown gyms.  There are an estimated 31 commercial climbing gyms in Singapore today, up from just 13 in 2018, industry players told The Business Times.

While climbing has been slower to take off here as compared to Europe and the United States, where climbing gyms are in abundance, the once niche sport has enjoyed a massive boost in exposure in Asia after making its official debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo last year, players said.

Another factor is the rising accessibility to climbing gyms in Singapore, with more businesses taking up leases in shopping malls – making it easier for novices to pick up the sport recreationally, they added.