We’re talking about the Hangdog Indoor Rock Climbing Gym where you can enjoy the thrills of climbing for fun and fitness at a purpose built indoor rock and boulder climbing gym.

Hangdog offers a real alternative for those people who want to try something different or are looking for an alternative to weights or aerobics for a challenging work out.

In fact, according to David Bott, an instructor at the centre, putting your body weight to use is as good as exercise can get.

Indoor rock climbing is an ideal way to introduce total beginners of all ages to the excitement of climbing in a safe and controlled environment.

When you arrive you’ll be given a free safety lesson, that teaches you to ‘belay’ (hold the rope for your partner’. The lesson is included with your entry fee and once you are competent you can climb (or attempt to climb!) any of the challenging routes available at the gym.  Children under 12 are not old enough to belay, so kids – make sure you get Mum or Dad along to help, or even climb themselves!

What’s more there are more than 100 different climbs on 40 ropes, so there’s always a wide range of climbs from the easy to the extremely challenging.

And when you consider there is a no time limit once you have paid the entry charge – you can even leave and then come back later in the same day without any further charge – it’s truly a great offer.

The gym also conducts coaching sessions for juniors and adults with the juniors training from 4pm until 6pm before the adults take the floor.

In addition to all the indoor climbing gym, Hangdog also takes people outdoor climbing.  Outdoor climbing trips are run by Hangdog’s fully qualified instructors and are a great introduction to the real outdoor climbing experience.

Popular with the schools

It also attracts regular annual visits from schools in and around Bowral and other areas of the Southern Highlands, Campbelltown, Helensburgh and Southern Sydney.

David says they have also catered for organisations such as Boys’ Town, scouts and the Army Reserve.

“The scouts just love it,” he says.

There are also occasional visits from overseas enthusiasts who have come “Down Under” to compete in national and international climbing tournaments.

The Hangdog Indoor Rock Climbing Gym is conveniently located at 130 Auburn Street and there is free off – street parking available adjacent to the premises and is close to both the Coniston and Wollongong railway stations.

Open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday there is plenty of climbing time.  There is plenty more information about the gym and their activities on their website www.hangdog.com.au or give them a call to ask a question on 4225 8369.