This week, we visited Boulder Neoliet Tilburg. This bouldering gym is part of the Neoliet chain, which opened one of the first climbing gyms in the Netherlands in the 1990s. After expanding into Germany, Neoliet has recently shifted its focus to bouldering. In the coming period, two more new gyms will be added - Neoliet locations - specifically in Amsterdam and Eindhoven.
A bouldering gym with a unique character
The gym in Tilburg is planned with its three large "mushroom" structures in a row and a long climbing wall beside the bar. It also has an adjustable Kilterboard and all the standard training equipment. The well-spaced wall sections create a roomy, open feel. Adding to the charm, you can unwind on the vintage church-style benches placed throughout the gym. Fun fact, they actually come from a real church.
Bouldering for climbers of all levels
When it comes to the range of boulders, the gym leans towards a more moderate difficulty level. There is little overhang: the first "mushroom" features a cave-like overhang, while the second offers a steeper challenge. The rest of the walls range from slab to slight overhangs, making it ideal for less experienced or less powerful climbers.
The grading system
It wasn’t busy when we visited, so after changing, we started warming up. The gym felt quite cold, and it took a while for our fingers to warm up properly. One thing that stood out was the boulder grading system. At Neoliet climbing gyms, routes always have a card indicating their grade, and the same concept is applied to the boulders. This system gives you an idea of what to expect from a boulder, though sometimes it turns out to be harder or easier than anticipated. It's always worth keeping that in mind when choosing your climbs.
A Variety of Boulders
There is a wide variety of boulders and excellent hold quality. The boulders are often visually appealing, with large holds that invite you to give them a try and make some stunning photos. If you cannot decide what to climb, you can always check on Toplogger de “Setters Choice” .It is a list of recommended boulders carefully selected by the route-setting team.
During this session, I focused mainly on the most challenging boulders in the gym. A few times, I fell right at the final move, which is always extra frustrating because it means starting the entire route over again. I choose to see it as good practice.
Bouldering and Embracing the Atmosphere
In the end, the results of this climbing session were solid: two 7B+ climbs, four 7Bs, and a good number of 7As. I noticed that boulders graded 7A and above felt relatively easier compared to other gyms, while those below 7A tended to feel a bit more challenging.
After climbing, you can relax with a drink at the bar. From the seating area, you have a great view of the gym, where you can watch other climbers tackle the boulders. Boulder Neoliet Tilburg is a welcoming gym with exciting boulders and a pleasant atmosphere. Especially if you're not yet very experienced, you'll find plenty of enjoyable challenges here to help develop your skills and nice community.
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