Two weeks ago, Boulder Eindhoven opened its doors, and last weekend we took a look inside this brand-new bouldering gym. The location is just a stone's throw from the Neoliet climbing hall, but unlike many other bouldering gyms, this one is not a repurposed warehouse or church—it is a completely new construction project. This makes Boulder Eindhoven the second newly built bouldering gym in the Netherlands, after Mono in Ede.
First impression: light and height
Upon entering, two things immediately stand out: the abundance of natural light and the height of the gym. Thanks to the many windows and a large dome, the space feels open and inviting. The bouldering walls are spread across multiple levels, creating a unique layout and a spacious atmosphere.
Layout of the Gym
On the ground floor, you'll find the changing rooms and a central 'mushroom' with bouldering walls surrounding it. A staircase leads to the training area, which includes an adjustable Kilterboard. One level higher, there are even more walls and a larger mushroom structure. Everything looks sleek and well-finished—a clear advantage of new construction.
The Bouldering Experience
We started our session with a warm-up on the ground floor. As with any new gym, the holds were still rough. The variety of holds is extensive, and the larger holds in the easier boulders were particularly well received. Visually, some boulders are more appealing than others, depending on the chosen set. Just like in other Boulder locations, small cards with difficulty ratings are placed near the routes.
Soon, I tried a few harder boulders, including a challenging 7B with a cool rose move. I skipped the dynamic problems on the ground floor to save my skin. On the upper level, there’s a large overhang with tough boulders—even 8A routes can be found here. While my girlfriend was making progress on some 6B problems, I struggled a bit more. Maybe it just wasn’t my day, or perhaps the boulders didn’t quite suit me.
Final thoughts
Although it was quiet during our visit, the multi-level layout allows climbers to spread out well. After an intense session, we left the gym with tingling fingertips and a satisfied feeling. Boulder Eindhoven offers a modern bouldering experience. However, I couldn't shake the thought that the building's height would have also made it an excellent climbing gym.
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