The Climbing Lab in Kirkstall is a friendly home for Leeds bouldering

Bouldering has become one of the most sociable ways to stay active, and in Leeds The Climbing Lab has played a big part in that. The gym, at Kirkstall Industrial Park, has been welcoming climbers since early 2015.

Its opening story shows a fair amount of grit. The centre opened as a fully functioning climbing gym despite flooding during construction, which feels like a fitting start for a place built around problem-solving and perseverance.

In 2023 the gym expanded. The new area is centred on the Titan Boulder and includes a Power Tunnel for endurance training on steep terrain, an additional roof and a slab area, giving climbers of every style something new to work on.

Climbing wall builder EP Climbing lists the bouldering surface at 485 square metres, and the gym also features a top-out boulder, where climbers can finish a problem by pulling over the top.

Families and beginners are well catered for, with a dedicated children's area, while more experienced climbers can make use of the training area to build strength and technique. That mix means a parent and child, or a beginner and a seasoned climber, can share a session together.

It is the atmosphere that many people talk about most. Confidentials described the gym as friendly and inclusive, highlighting parties, free pizza and socials, and suggesting it has changed the face of indoor bouldering.

The BMC has also featured The Climbing Lab as a new offering for climbers in Yorkshire, reflecting the role it has played in the region's climbing scene since it opened.

For anyone thinking of trying climbing, bouldering is an easy way in. There are no ropes to learn, the walls are short, and problems are graded so you can progress at your own pace with friends cheering you on. Most people are surprised by how quickly they improve once they start visiting regularly.

The Climbing Lab shares opening information, prices and session details online, and it is worth checking ahead before a first visit to Kirkstall.