climbing FAQ
& definitions
YOU ASK, WE ANSWER
Bouldering is climbing up to about 4 meters high, where your safety belay is a special thick and soft mattress. Unlike other forms of climbing, you don’t need any specialized equipment for bouldering. All you need is comfortable sportswear and a positive attitude because you can easily rent climbing shoes at Cube. You can even practice bouldering on your own, which makes it a flexible activity. The climbing wall where bouldering is practiced is a bouldering gym. Before you start, check out what’s worth knowing before your first climb at CUBE.
These are climbing routes waiting for you at the CUBE climbing wall! They are arranged by color and have varying difficulty levels. The easiest ones are comparable to climbing a ladder. There are several colloquial terms in the climbing community: bald, bulder, and balder. However, they all mean the same thing, but the most official term is “boulder.”
Yes! Climbing is a sport for everyone, no matter your age, physical condition, or sports experience. About 100 climbing routes, called boulders, await you at Cube. Even as a beginner, you can easily conquer the easiest ones during your first visit. With each subsequent visit, you will be able to take on more difficult levels based on our scale.
You can start climbing in many different ways. You can visit us on your own, with friends, or participate in an intro class or training with a climbing instructor. Ultimately, it’s your choice!
Climbing is a safe sport, but there are a few important rules to remember. The most crucial is to jump down onto the mattress in a controlled manner after finishing a boulder, and to pay attention to whether another person is climbing below or above you. This rule is the most important to know before your first visit at CUBE.
Bouldering is a sport for everyone! At Cube, we prepare climbing routes on a 9-level scale of difficulty. Before you start climbing, review it so you know what to aim for. The easiest boulders are designed with holds similar to bars, and their difficulty is comparable to climbing a ladder. On the other hand, the harder boulders have smaller holds and footholds, making the climb more challenging.
Yes, we change the boulders on one of the formations at Cube once a week. So with each visit, new climbing challenges await you.
Boulders are arranged by color. Each boulder has starting holds for hands marked with two tags. The last hold, called the TOP, is marked with a single tag. A boulder is counted as completed when you hold TOP with both hands in a stable position. For more details, additional rules, especially those related to safety at the climbing gym, can be found in the “First Time at Cube” section.
For the climbing wall, wear comfortable sportswear that won’t restrict your movements. You can change in the separate men’s and women’s locker rooms available on-site. Additionally, climbing shoes can be rented at the Cube reception. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle – at Cube, we have special taps with free filtered water for all climbers! After training, you can take a shower or use the sauna for free as part of your recovery.
For climbing, we use special climbing shoes, which you can rent at the Cube reception for the duration of your visit. These shoes provide the necessary grip and comfort for climbing.
Chalk is used to prevent climbers’ hands from sweating. This helps to keep your hands from slipping during climbs and prevents sweaty marks from being left on holds by other climbers. However, remember that when you use chalk, you leave traces on the holds, so it’s good practice to brush the holds after each boulder problem you complete. There are brushes available for this purpose at CUBE, located near the benches by the climbing walls.
Climbing is a sport for everyone – regardless of age. Some children start climbing as early as about 3 years old. Climbing is a natural activity for each of us – from a young age, we climb onto chairs, trees, and playground equipment. Moreover, there is no upper age limit for climbing. Climbing develops the whole body evenly and has a positive impact on physical fitness. Therefore, it is suitable for individuals of any age.
Yes, children are welcome at our bouldering gym. Children under the age of 16 can climb under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Youth over 16 can climb on their own. However, all minors must provide to Cube with a parent/legal guardian’s permission to climb at the Cube before climbing.
Of course. Our staff is always at your disposal—you can ask questions and request assistance if needed. During your first visit, you’ll receive basic guidance on safety rules for the climbing wall and information on where things are located at Cube. If you’re new to climbing and if you’d like to take your first climbing steps under the guidance of an experienced climbing instructor, we invite you to join our Intro Classes at the price of a regular entry.
No – if you want to visit us on your own or with friends, feel free to just drop by! However, if you’d like to participate in organized activities, such as training with a climbing instructor, intro classes, a climbing course or section, or classes for an organized group – it’s best to let us know in advance. You can do it by e-mail or through the form on our website.
A normal single entry at Cube costs 45 PLN. Before your visit, please check our full price list. At Cube, we accept Multisport Plus, Kids, Senior, Student with a 12 PLN surcharge and Medicover, FitProfit, and PZU Sport cards with a 10 PLN surcharge. You can also purchase a membership, which you can use at our second location, Mood. Please note that climbing is cheaper in the morning hours. We also offer discounts for people under 26 and over 60.
Tickets to Cube are valid for the whole day—there’s no time limit. So you can spend many hours with us and have a great time. You can find all types of Cube tickets in the price list.
To start bouldering at Cube you don’t need any equipment. All you need is a comfortable sports outfit. However, you can rent climbing shoes from us. If climbing becomes your passion, it’s worth considering getting your own climbing shoes, a chalk bag, and chalk. If you decide to try bouldering in the rocks, you’ll also need a crash pad.
Of course! Bouldering is a type of climbing that doesn’t require a belayer, so you’re welcome to visit us on your own. That being said, we encourage you to come with friends, family, or loved ones, or join organized classes – climbing is a social sport and a lot of fun!
During climbing classes, you can improve your climbing technique, increase your strength and endurance, and enjoy your free time while meeting new people. Additionally, it’s a great way to establish a routine of regular climbing training. Climbing classes are led by experienced coaches who will help you develop your climbing skills effectively and safely. This makes them an ideal option for climbers of all levels looking to improve their performance.
You can find information about climbing classes, coaches, and the section schedule on our website. Simply fill out the form, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible – usually within 24 hours. Together, we’ll select the right climbing classes for you!
You can get to Cube by car, bicycle, streetcar, or bus. If you visit us by car, a large, free parking lot awaits you. If you’re coming by bicycle, you’ll find plenty of spots on the bicycle racks in front of the entrance to the building. For public transport users, get off at the Gałczyński stop and walk about 300 meters. We are located at Centralna 41A in Cracow.
Yes! At Cube, we have a café where you can enjoy delicious sweet treats like cakes and pastries. The café also offers a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, beers, lemonades, and teas. Additionally, we have freshly baked bread from our second location, Mood. Water is free for our customers! You’ll find a tap with filtered drinking water near the bouldering area and at the bar.Yes! At Cube, we have a café where you can enjoy delicious sweet treats like cakes and pastries. The café also offers a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, beers, lemonades, and teas. Additionally, we have freshly baked bread from our second location, Mood. Water is free for our customers! You’ll find a tap with filtered drinking water near the bouldering area and at the bar.
Yes! Dogs are always welcome at Cube. However, please remember to take care of the safety of both your pet and other climbers when visiting Cube with your dog.
Yes! There is a very large, free parking lot for our customers right in front of Cube. Additionally, there are plenty of spots to secure your bike. For further details, check out how to reach us!
At Cube, we have a wide variety of climbing holds. For beginner-friendly boulders, the most commonly used holds are jugs – large, curved, deep holds that are easy to hold. On more challenging boulders, you can find slopers, crimps, pinches, and many others.
It’s a special boulder problem that changes every week. If you complete it, you’ll get a free coffee at our café! To claim your reward, visit Cube, record a video of yourself completing the Boulder of the Week, post it on your Instagram, tag the Cube.boulder IG account, and head to the café.
Yes! You can use Multisport Plus, Senior, Junior, and Student cards at Cube with a 12 PLN surcharge. We also accept Medicover, FitProfit, and PZU Sport cards. For more details, please find more information here.
Yes! Cube has a Finnish sauna. You can use it from Monday to Friday, between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Wednesdays are for women only. On weekends, the sauna is open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Sauna access is free with the purchase of a climbing wall entry ticket. Without a climbing wall ticket, the sauna costs 20 PLN.
CUBE DEFINITIONS
Bouldering
Climbing up to about 4 meters high, where your belay is a special thick and soft mattress.
Boulder
That’s what we call the climbing routes that await you at the CUBE climbing wall! They are set by colors and have different difficulty. In the climbing community there are several colloquial terms: bald, bulder, balder. They all mean the same thing, but the most official one is boulder.
Bouldering gym
A climbing wall several meters high where bouldering is practiced. Climbing in a bouldering gym does not require climbing equipment for belaying, as your belay is a special mattress.
Chalk
A white powder used by most climbers on climbing walls. Its purpose is to prevent hands from sweating, providing a better grip while climbing.
Climbing holds
All the colorful “stones” which you can find on the climbing wall. The most common types include jugs, crimps, slopers, underclings, pinches. Each week, routesetters use holds of specific colors to create new boulder problems at Cube.
Volume
Also known as a “structure,” is a removable element attached to the climbing wall that enhances the design of a boulder problem. At Cube, volumes are most commonly gray but can also be black or other colors. They come in various shapes, such as triangles, polygons, flat or protruding, small or large. Sometimes they make a boulder problem easier, and other times they add difficulty. They always add variety to every boulder. At Cube, we follow the rule that volumes can be used universally—you can use them as holds or footholds on any boulder problem.
Difficulty scale
The system used at the climbing wall to categorize boulders by difficulty. Our scale consists of 9 difficulty levels, with higher levels indicating more challenging boulders. The scale is represented by the color of the tags on the starting holds. You can find an explanation of the difficulty scale in the “About Cube” section or during your visit. It helps you choose the right boulders for your skill level.
Boulder grade
An approximate assessment of a boulder’s difficulty. At Cube, boulders are graded using a 9 – level difficulty scale, represented by colors. In outdoor bouldering, you’ll encounter French grades, such as 5A, 6B, or 7C. The higher the number and letter, the more challenging the boulder.
Starting holds
One or two climbing holds placed at the bottom of the wall, marked with two tags. These are the holds you must use with your hands to correctly start a boulder problem.
TOP
The final hold on a boulder problem. After grabbing it, place your other hand on the hold and maintain a stable position for a few seconds. Only then can you consider the boulder completed. At Cube, the TOP is marked with a single colored tag.
Routesetter
A person who sets routes/boulders on the climbing wall. At Cube, we invite the best routesetters from all over Poland, ensuring top-quality boulders for you to enjoy.
Climbing class
An organized group of climbers at a similar skill level who train regularly under the guidance of a climbing coach. At Cube, we offer climbing sections for various skill levels.
Climbing formation
This is a specific shape of the climbing wall on which we are setting the boulders. Most often, formations differ from each other in the angle of inclination and breakthroughs of the wall. At Cube, we have for you overhangs small and large, verticals, slabs, roof, mantles. See what each formation looks like in our bouldering room here.
Tag
Used to mark starting and top holds at Cube. The color of the tags indicates the difficulty of the boulder on a 9-level scale.
Traverse
A climbing style where you move sideways along the wall, parallel to the mattress, instead of climbing upward. Typically, it stays at one height. Sometimes, boulders are designed as traverses, starting on the left side of the wall and moving to the right, or vice versa
Dyno
Any kind of dynamic movement or jump on climbing routes and boulders.
Double Dyno
Also known as a “mono,” is a type of dynamic jump performed with both hands simultaneously, moving from one hold to the next.
Lambada
A type of dynamic jump where the climber swings on a hold and leaps to another hold or foothold using the momentum of their body. During this movement, the climber’s body typically loses all contact with the climbing wall.
Full crimp
A way of gripping a hold, also known as a closed grip, typically used on small edges. In this grip, the thumb presses over the other fingers placed on the hold. If you’re not adequately trained, be cautious when using this grip, as excessive force can lead to finger injuries.
Bending
A colloquial term for powerful moves on a climbing route, often on overhangs and using relatively good holds.
Climbing technique
Various methods of moving on the climbing wall that make it easier to complete a route while conserving energy during each move. There are many climbing techniques, and you can learn them during courses and climbing classes.
Heel hook
A colloquial term for using your heel to hook onto a hold, foothold, or volume while climbing a route.
Core
A term climbers use to describe body tension in the abdominal and lower back areas during climbing.
Ładowanie
A general term for climbing training, which can include climbing itself, strength training, campus board exercises, or hangboard sessions.
Interwals
A type of climbing training where boulders – either the same one or different ones – are repeated with very short rest periods in between. This training strengthens power endurance and is typically suited for more advanced climbers. The term “intervals” is also commonly used in other sports disciplines.
Circuits
A type of climbing training where a large number of continuous moves are performed on the wall without stepping down onto the mat. It is usually done on designated holds and sometimes includes specific footholds. This training develops climbers’ endurance and is useful well to rope climbing outdoors.
General conditioning training
A complementary workout to climbing, aimed at the comprehensive development of all muscle groups in your body and injury prevention. These exercises are usually not specific to climbing but help improve your overall climbing performance.
Hangboard
A training tool for more advanced climbers, designed to practice gripping specific types of holds. Exercises are usually performed while hanging or locking off. It allows you to train grip strength on holds like crimps, slopers, pockets, pinches, full crimp, and more. Hangboards are often made of wood.
Campus board
A training tool designed for highly advanced climbers. It consists of an overhanging panel with wooden rungs of varying sizes mounted parallel to each other. Climbers use only their hands to move up and down the board.
Crux
The term used to describe the most challenging section of a boulder problem or climbing route.
Beta
A colloquial term for the method or sequence used to complete a climbing route
Panel
Another term for a climbing wall, commonly used informally among climbers.
Warun
A colloquial term for the atmospheric conditions in outdoor climbing areas or on the climbing wall. In climbing conversations, you might hear that the “warun” is bad if it’s too warm, wet, or humid—conditions that affect grip quality. A good “warun” occurs when the friction on holds is optimal, and the temperature and conditions are favorable for climbing comfort and performance.
Bouldering Competitions
A type of climbing competition held on boulders, which are climbing routes up to approximately 4 meters high. Depending on the competition format, participants may have to complete dozens of boulders within a set time. The competitions are divided into various categories based on the skill level of the climbers or are targeted at specific groups, such as beginners, intermediate, or advanced climbers. At Cube, our largest bouldering competition is Easy Riders, designed especially for beginner and intermediate climbers.
Crashpad
A portable mattress that is used for belaying a fall while bouldering outdoors.
Come on!
Probably the most commonly shouted phrase among climbers. This is how a climber cheers on another climber and wants to help him or her overcome the chosen boulder.