Climbing indoors statistics. The most common climbing injury is Climber's Finger.
Climbing indoors statistics. Most commonly the injuries were due to mistakes made in “belaying,” or the use of various techniques to exert friction on climbing ropes to ensure the climber does not fall, or only falls for a short distance. Dec 17, 2023 · These statistics encompass all forms of climbing, from traditional alpine routes to indoor bouldering accidents. I was surprised to discover there was a huge gap between my perceived risk vs. Climbing in this case means using a climbing wall for recreation, with both indoor and outdoor facilities included. Therefore proper safety precautions, equipment, and training specific to terrain should be observed by all climbers in order to help decrease the rising trend of rock climbing-related injuries in the USA … 5 days ago · 902 likes, 28 comments - aila. Mar 4, 2024 · In North Carolina and elsewhere, the sport is taking off—at the end of 2023, a total of 785 climbing gyms were open in the United States. Apr 29, 2025 · The fatality rate in indoor climbing gyms is significantly lower than outdoor climbing, roughly 0. Dec 22, 2021 · An average of the distribution for the 5 crags. Jul 15, 2013 · A study indicates that an estimated 40,282 individuals were treated in U. taylor on October 4, 2025: "but caving is fun, right?". Our author Hannes Huch Movement looks to transform both people and the planet through climbing, yoga, and fitness - a giving community that brings out the best in its members. Is the Indoor Climbing Walls in the US expected to grow or decline over the next five years? A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with manufactured grips (or "holds") for the hands and feet. Jul 3, 2024 · Is rock climbing dangerous? Rock climbing is not considered a particularly high risk sport when practised safely. Feb 3, 2025 · /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global climbing gym market size is estimated to grow by USD 7. ―in outdoor and indoor climbing. As more indoor climbing centers open in metropolitan areas and public institutions, the market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with a significant growth rate through 2030. Sep 2, 2024 · A perhaps more interesting insight appears when we look at the distribution of chains (climbing gyms managing multiple sites) versus single-site gyms. Most walls are located indoors, and climbing on such walls is often termed indoor climbing. 05 deaths per 100,000 climbers annually Statistic 23 Nearly 90% of climbing fatalities occur during rope-assisted activities rather than bouldering Statistic 24 Use of helmets reduces head injury-related fatalities by approximately 40% Statistic 25 Jun 25, 2025 · In a 2020 survey investigating the preferences of climbing participants it was found that the largest share of respondents were between the ages of *********. At around 30 reported fatalities out of 5 million regular climbers in North America, the statistics are pretty clear. e. By incorporating strength training, endurance training, and focusing on technique improvement, you can enhance your indoor climbing abilities and reach new heights in your climbing journey. Method —A semisupervised questionnaire was used to survey overuse injury in 295 spectators and competitors at the Entre-Prises World Climbing Championships Jan 15, 2024 · Statistically speaking, the vast majority of auto-belay users leave our gyms unscathed. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about indoor climbing, from the basics of climbing techniques to the top indoor climbing gyms around the world. The American Alpine Club recently released an extensive analysis of the entire climbing industry, known as the Climbing Report. According to various studies and reports, the number of fatalities ranges from 15 to 30 deaths annually in the United States alone. Jul 10, 2025 · There were approximately *** businesses in the indoor climbing wall sector in the United States in 2020. The age distribution of independent climbers is relatively 50 Facts about (Rock) Climbing Climbing is an exhilarating sport. Jul 19, 2025 · Official website of the International Federation of Sport Climbing Rock Climbing Market Size, Share, Trends & Competitive Analysis By Type: Climbing Shoes, Harnesses, Ropes, Belay Devices, Climbing Gear, Accessories By Application: Indoor Climbing, Outdoor Climbing By Distribution Channel:, Online Retail, Offline Retail By End-User: By Regions, and Industry Forecast, Global Report 2025-2033 Report ID: FDS2620. 72 billion from Nov 22, 2021 · Is rock climbing indoors safe? “Rock climbing, especially indoor climbing is a very safe sport,” Dr. Feb 17, 2025 · Any statistics relating to participation in outdoor rock climbing and indoor climbing between 1965 and 2014 (e. However, few data have been published on climbing accidents in Switzerland, even though the Swiss Alps are a major climbing resort. Jun 26, 2025 · The market size of the indoor climbing wall sector in the United States amounted to ***** million U. Bouldering remains the most dangerous form of rock climbing for most indoor rock climbing gyms. the actual risk. Climbing has become an increasingly popular sport, and the number of accidents is increasing in parallel. This article will cover the safety statistics regarding ourdoor Sep 5, 2023 · If you’re looking for a newfangled way to get in shape, be a part of a community, and learn new skills, then keep reading for everything you need to know about indoor climbing. A number of lawsuits and their outcomes which have been filed across North America and the Europe (United Kingdom Jun 18, 2019 · With around five million indoor climbers at present, the USA also plays a leading role in this sport - also thanks to climbing stars such as Chris Sharma and Margo Hayes. Objectives—To determine the frequency of overuse injury in indoor climbers, the common sites of such injury, and the factors that influence the probability that a climber will have sustained an overuse injury while climbing indoors. 3-billion-dollar gear empire, all while augmented reality and safety upgrades ensure that the only Apr 6, 2021 · How popular is the sport of Climbing in the UK? These Climbing Statistics look at popularity over time and the popularity in certain areas in the UK. (I dare say that Alex Honnold and the amazing movies on El Cap haven’t done much to change this perception. They analyzed over 500 thousand visits to a major city climbing gym during a 5 year period (2007-2011 May 1, 2025 · Statistic 2 of 45 The majority of climbing deaths occur during outdoor, sport, or trad climbing rather than indoor climbing. 3%. The study concluded that “These data indicate that indoor rock climbing is a good activity to increase cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance”. The first documented Mar 17, 2023 · The climbing routes are referred to as ‘boulder problems’ as they are often not straightforward and require a specific solution or ‘beta’ to solve. However, the most Nov 29, 2023 · Conclusions This was the first study to accurately record time spent indoor climbing digitally and evaluate the acute injuries prospectively in a large cohort. Breaking Down the Data by Region: When examining climbing fatality rates, it becomes evident that the risks are not evenly distributed. Make better business decisions, faster with IBISWorld's industry market research reports, statistics, analysis, data, trends and forecasts. A semisystematic approach in reviewing literature on incidence and prevalence was applied. It improves the mind, keeps you healthy, and gives you friends for life. Jul 18, 2025 · This statistic shows the result of a survey conducted to assess the state of indoor climbing within the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019. Sep 1, 2013 · Conclusions This was the first study to accurately record time spent indoor climbing digitally and evaluate the acute injuries prospectively in a large cohort. The number of climbing gyms in North America rose to over 870 in 2024—more gyms than ever before. The 59-page industry report contains a detailed analysis of climbing gym market dynamics, facility characteristics, financial metrics, operations, and trends. This study evaluated predictors of prolonged injury and seeking medical care for indoor climbing injuries. Many of these are of the kind set up in the early days of indoor climbing, providing a space for outdoor climbers to train during the cold winter months Jul 18, 2025 · In a survey published in 2020 which investigated the preferences of climbing it was found that the majority of participants in such activities were men, compared to only **** percent of Rock climbing is an increasingly popular indoor sport with a sizable risk of overuse injuries. The Climbing Wall Association is a trade association dedicated to protecting, connecting, and educating the indoor climbing industry. Yet, many medical practitioners have little familiarity with evaluating and treating climbing injuries because of the terminology, biomechanical demands, mechanisms of injury, and return to sport counseling needed, unique to the sport. These facilities offer a wide range of climbing walls Jan 1, 2005 · Has the Indoor Climbing Walls in the US grown or declined over the past 5 years? The market size of the Indoor Climbing Walls in the US has grown at a 3. 12: An elite in the Dec 29, 2024 · How Many People Die from Rock Climbing Each Year? The exact number of rock climbing fatalities can vary from year to year, depending on several factors, including location, type of climbing, and weather conditions. It forces you to challenge yourself, to conquer your fears. Oct 13, 2022 · The latest rock climbing and bouldering statistics regarding accidents, injuries, deaths, demographics, industry size, and popularity Jul 18, 2024 · Sport Climbing: From 2015 to 2020, sport climbing grew annually by 3. 1. Aug 10, 2021 · Motivations for climbing Constraints to participating in climbing Perceptions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the climbing community Demographic information CEC is excited to share with our community the Findings Report Who is Climbing? Understanding Participants Within Climbing Escalade Canada. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Each year, the conference—equal parts networking, professional development, trade show and letting loose—brings together about a thousand professionals from across the field. To analyse data on accidents related to outdoor climbing treated Ulykkesrapportering Analyses/Purpose: The purpose of the system is to support the Danish Climbing Federation’s work to improve climbing safety. Apr 25, 2025 · Acknowledging and Addressing Our Headwinds By Erik Lambert The CWA Summit is the indoor climbing industry’s flagship national event. 11: Advanced in the sport, likely in the top 10%-20% of climbers 5. And almost all of these injuries are less serious than injuries from climbing on top rope, lead, or auto belay. Rock climbing has a very, very low fatality rate. This review seeks to educate practitioners on these aspects Jan 20, 2025 · Indoor Rock Climbing History & Injury Statistics According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, rock climbing as a sport became overwhelmingly popular in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States. I’ve written an article covering the topic of how good rock climbing is as a workout which you can read by clicking here. I reckon the ratio is AT LEAST 15 bouldering injuries for every roped climbing injury. Chris Sharma Want to increase your knowledge on rock climbing? Here are 50 facts about climbing. However, the risks associated with rock climbing, as with many outdoor pursuits, do mean that an accident can be fatal. Nationally, we see that single-site gyms represent two-thirds of climbing gyms in the UK. We aim at describing the characteristics of climbing accidents leading to severe (multisystem) trauma using data from the International Alpine Trauma Registry (IATR) and at reporting the results of a systematic review of the literature on the epidemiology, injury pattern, severity and This was the first study to accurately record time spent indoor climbing digitally and evaluate the acute injuries prospectively in a large cohort. Jun 11, 2025 · In 2024, the number of participants in indoor climbing in the United States reached approximately *** million. We serve climbing gym owners and operators in the US, Canada, and internationally. Rock climbing requires mental and physical strength, fosters a connection with nature, and offers endless opportunities for growth and self-discovery throughout one’s life. I've worked for multiple climbing gyms over the past 10 years. Oct 24, 2024 · Using (some) econometrics to understand the growth in climbing in England. . Jan 9, 2025 · Case Study: Climbing Gym in Spain The case involves an accident that occurred in a climbing gym in Spain in 2022. Method—A The global climbing gym market has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, driven by the increasing popularity of indoor climbing as a recreational activity and a competitive sport. com! According to the Climbing Business Journal, the number of indoor climbing gyms in the United States surpassed 600 facilities in 2023, reflecting a steady annual growth rate of approximately 6% over the past five years. However, worldwide statistics are harder to pin Executive Summary The Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC) commissioned Crystal Market Research to repeat the work they carried out in 2017, in order to get more insight into the climbing walls industry: the current trends, current market and identify areas for growth. Feb 14, 2022 · A comprehensive analysis of 30 years worth of data of climbing accidents recorded in Accidents in North American Climbing. Feb 13, 2024 · According to the Climbing Business Journal, at the end of 2023, a total of 622 climbing gyms were open in the United States, compared to 353 gyms in 2014. Physician researchers from a German university decided to investigate common causes of climbing accidents and injuries in an indoor climbing gym setting. Dec 18, 2023 · Discover all statistics and data on Climbing in the United States now on statista. Objectives —To determine the frequency of overuse injury in indoor climbers, the common sites of such injury, and the factors that influence the probability that a climber will have sustained an overuse injury while climbing indoors. g. Expert industry market research on the Indoor Climbing Walls in the US (2015-2030). View the inaugural report . 5. Data suggests the odds of dying while rock climbing are well behind the likes of swimming, cycling and even running. In every single gym the accident log binder is overflowing with injuries due to bouldering (mostly bad landings), while injuries from roped climbing (top rope or lead) are scarce. Indoor and outdoor rock climbing are associated with different injury characteristics and risks. This can give us an idea of the average North American grade distribution for sport climbing, and based on percentile of climbers we can group climbers in to approximate buckets: 5. Many of these are of the kind set up in the early days of indoor climbing, providing a space for outdoor climbers to train during the cold winter months. Why is a sport that began as a daring endeavor for a few people have turned into a worldwide sensation. ) Safety Sep 1, 2013 · Conclusions This was the first study to accurately record time spent indoor climbing digitally and evaluate the acute injuries prospectively in a large cohort. May 30, 2025 · Our in-depth ZipDo Education Report about Rock Climbing Statistics. Jul 9, 2019 · The AAC, in partnership with more than a dozen supporting organizations, is proud to release the first-ever State of Climbing Report, a comprehensive quantitative look at the American climbing community and its impact. This study evaluates the incidence and nature of climbing-related injuries, focusing on how different disciplines and climbers’ Apr 22, 2025 · Yes, Malaysia has plenty of indoor climbing gyms and outdoor rock climbing places to explore! Find out the ultimate list of climbing walls! Sep 23, 2022 · It’s no secret that climbing has been booming, and the Outdoor Foundation’s latest report highlights the change in participation in the U. 5-5. Numbers have only grown during the specified time period. Indoor Climbing: Indoor climbing wall attendance in the US surged by around 6% in 2019. Jun 23, 2024 · The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Climbing: Everything You Need to Know If you’re looking to explore the world of indoor climbing, you’ve come to the right place. numbers of participants, gender of participants). Jul 18, 2025 · climbing gyms in Germany. The global indoor climbing walls market is experiencing robust growth, propelled by several key factors. Jun 26, 2025 · The number of people participating in climbing and bouldering in England increased in 2024. We dive into all the stats and trends from last year in our most comprehensive Gyms & Trends report ever. Quickly find a gym or wall near you and start climbing indoors today. At its annual conference in Loveland, Colorado, the US Climbing Wall Association (CWA) brought together hall operators and industry and highlighted the most important trends for the future of climbing. Dec 27, 2019 · Climbing has become an increasingly popular sport, and the number of accidents is increasing in parallel. 7% CAGR between 2019 and 2024. Our in-depth WifiTalents Market Report about Rock Climbing Death Statistics. ? Rock climbing’s popularity surge is a multi-faceted tale that combines indoor innovation, competitive excitement, and Feb 10, 2023 · For the first time ever, we reveal multi-year climbing gym industry growth rates in the US and Canada, and overview gym development in Mexico. Feb 23, 2024 · In a year in which bouldering and expansion gym growth reached record levels in North America, a survey from the Association of British Climbing Walls shows these trends have been unfolding in the United Kingdom, as well. There were few injuries sustained, suggesting indoor climbing has a low risk of acute injury per 1000 hours of participation. Aug 11, 2016 · Paper examines liabilities for indoor climbing wall operators The growing interest in climbing indoors has prompted the UIAA Legal Experts Working Group (LEWG) to publish a paper highlighting liability issues faced by operators of indoor walls in North America and the Europe. You may be new to rock climbing or maybe you have had a passing interest for years and are now ready to get more involved in the sport, but want to know what researchers have to say on the subject. Sep 1, 2023 · Introduction Indoor climbing injuries are often related to overuse, and climbers choose between self-management and seeing a medical practitioner. Explore the latest data. Feb 18, 2024 · Rock climbing has now become a cultural phenomenon that draws adventure seekers and fitness enthusiasts alike, reversing the course of the once thrilling niche pursuit. This was the rst study to accurately record time spent indoor climbing digitally and evaluate the acute — fi injuries prospectively in a large cohort. I have noticed this particularly when dealing with those charged with administering school sports and parents of children thinking about starting to climb. We aim at describing the characteristics of climbing accidents leading to severe (multisystem) trauma using data from the International Alpine Jun 1, 2025 · The climbing industry’s ascent—marked by rapid gym growth, technological innovations, and a booming gear market—mounts as indoor and outdoor enthusiasts alike are reaching new heights amidst a 700-million-dollar indoor gym scene and a 2. Mar 29, 2022 · Outdoor rock climbing has become popular in recent years. Feb 25, 2022 · List of all the climbing & bouldering gyms and walls in the US, broken down by state. 10: About average, somewhere between top 25%-50% 5. More precisely, the number of participants in 2023 was 210% the number of participants in 2021. Over three packed days and nights, it’s where ideas are shared and business gets Indoor rock climbing visits have grown by almost 60% in the past four years, and the number of indoor climbing walls has increased dramatically. (Photo by Get Climbing, courtesy of ABC Walls) The Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC Walls) recently released the results of its latest biannual survey of the indoor The bouldering boom reached record levels, climbing gym giants grew even bigger, and more unions got underway in the industry last year. Climbing, a sport with increasing popularity, poses diverse risks and injury patterns across its various disciplines. (Image by Outdoor Foundation / Outdoor Industry Association) This month, the Outdoor Foundation released the 2022 version of its Outdoor Participation Trends Report, an annual comprehensive and statistical assessment Our site uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Note for a moment what comes to mind when you see these figures: climbing is becoming We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Nov 5, 2019 · Is climbing in a gym inherently a high risk sport? The common narrative is one of high risk and concern about the safety. For safer styles of climbing, like sport climbing, bouldering, and gym climbing, the risk is reduced even further. Nov 28, 2021 · Discover all you need to know to start indoor or outdoor rock climbing: types of climbing, gear, practical tips We've got you covered! Rock climbing is a popular sporting activity and indoor sport climbing has been accepted for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games. We compared the Australian Burea of Statistics population data from June 2023 and compared it with our January, 2024 market research data of climbing gyms across Australia. Jul 26, 2023 · Key Takeaways: Rock climbing is an ancient sport that provides a full-body workout, promotes problem-solving skills, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, both indoors and outdoors. Oct 29, 2018 · Rock climbing is becoming more popular, and with this, is an increasing interest in trends and patterns of climbing injuries and accidents. Apr 29, 2025 · While rock climbing offers exhilarating heights and breathtaking views, these statistics remind us that the sport’s steep learning curve and inherent risks—especially for novices and free soloists—mean climbers must prioritize safety and proper technique to avoid turning adventure into tragedy. Conclusions. Climbing gyms provide a controlled environment for climbers of all skill levels to practice their techniques and improve their climbing abilities. There are separate reporting forms for indoor walls and crag/ice climbing. The injuries were of minor … Aug 1, 2023 · Are you looking for a challenging workout? Rock climbing is the perfect activity for that read this post and see 25 interesting facts about this exciting sport. The reports are being used to generate statistics and for specific studies of accident causes. In this article I’m going to tell you the facts and statistics regarding the safety of rock climbing, including indoor and outdoor rock climbing, and using ropes, harnesses and other equipment versus bouldering and free solo climbing. A climber fell and subsequently sued the company that owns the Indoor Climbing Center (climbing center), alleging negligence due to a failure in the installation of the climbing wall. Oct 10, 2024 · Nationally, we see that single-site gyms represent two-thirds of climbing gyms in the UK. I knew that rock climbing was dangerous, but decided to look up injury rate studies on indoor climbing. Dec 9, 2022 · This statistic shows the result of a survey conducted to assess the state of indoor climbing within the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019. S. Understanding why climbers make mistakes can reduce injuries widely. Due to its nature of low walls and mats, indoor bouldering can be practiced alone, and thus has become the most accessible form of climbing. The best part of climbing is when it all clicks and gravity ceases to exist. Articles were identified after Nov 21, 2022 · The Climbing Wall Association releases a report with research Jon Heshka on why indoor climbers make mistakes in indoor climbing gyms. Our Houston indoor climbing gym on Silver Street offers a massive space for all things climbing, bouldering, fitness, and yoga! Climb with Momentum today! Threshold Climbing + Fitness + Yoga is a world-class indoor climbing facility in Oklahoma City dedicated to providing the community one of the world’s fastest-growing and most rewarding sports. The detailed chronicle, which can be accessed online at the link below, explores not only demographics of the climbing community, but the community—and the industry’s—impact on the larger American economy and the environment. 9: New to the sport 5. That’s a 76% increase in less than a decade. The Data According to Sport England figures, participation in climbing and bouldering more than doubled in England between 2021 and 2023. Climbing in the United States Statistics report on climbing in the United States The report presents a variety of statistics about the indoor and outdoor climbing in the United States. The aim of this article is to critically review research on the incidence and risk factors associated with injuries during rock climbing. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get started or a Feb 23, 2020 · We collect together 25 interesting climbing facts to wow your friends with next time you're at the crag. Most injuries that take place in indoor climbing gyms are a result of bouldering. The most common climbing injury is Climber's Finger. Jun 23, 2024 · Consider taking a climbing class or working with a coach to fine-tune your technique and learn advanced climbing skills. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Jun 4, 2020 · Rock climbing involves scaling rock walls indoors and natural formations outdoors so it is natural to wonder if it is actually safe. emergency rooms for climbing-related injuries between 1990 and 2007. h5w0 3ncipe ld 41jluq z0g4 lavx6 ujvf ekcvq deydd febqn6