Is bouldering hard if you have never climbed before?
No. Bouldering is one of the few sports where a complete beginner does the real thing on day one. You will spend your first session on yellow and green problems, which are set to be climbed by people who have never touched a wall. There is no rope to learn, no partner needed and no booking for a small group. Walk in, take the safety induction from our staff, and climb.
How hard is the easiest climb at The Hold?
Yellow is the easiest grade we set, V0 to V1 on the international scale. Green is next at V2 to V3. The colour of the tag beside the starting holds is the only thing you need to read, so you never have to work a grade out yourself - find a yellow tag, climb the yellow holds, and go from there.
- Our grade tags run yellow V0-1, green V2-3, blue V4-5, red V6-7, black V8-9, and purple is the Joker - a mystery grade with no number on it.
- The colour is on the tag beside the starting holds, so you never have to work out a grade yourself.
Do I need to be fit or strong to start bouldering?
No. Beginner problems are solved with footwork and balance, not with arm strength, and the climbers who improve fastest are usually the ones who stop pulling and start looking at their feet. There are no weight restrictions here at all - our auto-belay and harness systems are rated to 1,000kg.
- Climbing gets you fit rather than requiring you to be fit first.
- You will be sore in your forearms and probably your core the next day. That is normal and it settles after a few sessions.
What do I need to bring to my first climb?
Comfortable gym gear, socks if you are hiring shoes, and a waiver filled in before you arrive. That is the whole list. Climbing shoes are the only specialist kit, and you can hire a pair at the desk rather than buying any.
- Fill the waiver in online at thehold.studio/waivers-code-of-conduct before you come, which saves you queueing at the desk.
- Under 18s need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver.
- We have cubbies for bags and shoes, but no lockable lockers, so leave anything valuable at home.
- Chalk balls in a bag and liquid chalk are both fine if you have your own.
Do I need to book, or can I just walk in?
Walk in. Individuals, couples and small groups need no booking at all - come any time we are open, which is 8:30am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 9pm on weekends. Groups of 10 or more do need to book in advance, by email, so we can set the room up for you.
- Email hello@thehold.studio for a group of 10 or more, or for a school group.
- The venue holds about 60 people.
- Our one adult class, Beginner Adults, runs Monday 6:00 to 7:00pm during school terms, fully coached with entry and shoe hire included.
How old do you have to be to climb at The Hold?
Five. From 5 to 12 a child must be closely supervised by a responsible adult at all times. From 13 to 15 they need either an adult with them or Hold Academy accreditation. From 16 they can climb on their own. An adult who is supervising and not climbing does not pay entry.
- A parent or guardian signs the waiver for anyone under 18.
- Babies and young children are welcome in the building, supervised and kept off the matting.
Is bouldering safe?
Falling off is designed into it. Our walls are 3 to 4 metres high over deep padded flooring, so the fall is short and the landing is soft, and your induction covers how to land and where not to stand. The rule that matters most is not standing or walking underneath somebody who is on the wall.
- Staff are on the floor and will show you how to come off the wall before you go up it.
- First-timers sign an induction form after the in-gym safety run-through, which is separate from the online waiver.
How long does a first session take?
Most people climb for 1.5 to 2 hours, and there is no time limit on an entry. Beginners usually find their fingers and forearms decide when the session ends, which tends to be sooner than they expect. Come, climb until you are done, have a coffee, go home.
- The cafe seating area is open to everyone, climbing or not, and we pour Market Lane Coffee.
- Dogs are welcome on a leash, supervised, and off the matting.
Where is The Hold, and how do I get there?
We are at 80 Hattam Street, Golden Gully, in Bendigo. There is dedicated parking at the entrance including an accessible spot, plenty of street parking on Hattam Street, and bike racks on site. It is a 10 minute ride from Kangaroo Flat VLine station.
- The main entrance fits a standard 85cm wheelchair and there is a wider roller door available on request.
- There is an accessible toilet and shower. The climbing area and mats sit about 43cm above floor level with no ramp at present, and the upstairs training area is stairs only.
- An Auslan safety induction is available on request if you give us some notice.
What does it cost to try bouldering in Bendigo?
Casual entry, shoe hire, a two-week trial pass and memberships are all listed on our pricing page, which is the only place we keep the current figures. Concession and kids rates are available in the gym with ID. A group of 10 or more gets a per head rate with shoe hire included.
- We deliberately do not repeat prices here, so you are never reading a figure that has moved. See thehold.studio/pricing.
- Email hello@thehold.studio for a group or school quote.
First visit? Walk straight in.
No booking needed for you and a few mates. Fill in your waiver online, wear something comfortable, bring socks if you are hiring shoes. We will take it from there.