Singapore Bouldering Gym Review: Boulder Movement Rochor
The "fun" one
This post is part of a blog series reviewing all the bouldering gyms in Singapore targeted at new climbers and foreign visitors. Check out the origin article here:
Boulder Movement (BM) Rochor Review
At a glance
Environment: 4/5 - As clean as BM gyms get despite the larger area. Full set of QoL amenities except there’s no on-site toilet (use the mall’s which is a short walk away).
Social experience: 5/5 - This gym rivals BM Downtown as a place where visitors tend to socialise. Fun routes with decent off-mat areas allows for conversations to happen spontaneously without worrying anyone’s going to fall on you. Also since it’s in a tourist-accessible location, you’ll frequently see people from overseas here for a climb.
Training experience: 4/5 - While this gym’s main selling point is that it’s fun (IMO at least), it still provides enough to come for a decent training session. Cave routes here are almost always sandbagged and good for power endurance training, and the slab section is somewhat infamous amongst BM-goers for the presence of at least one (accessible) no-hands slab route. Also, endurance wall and kilter board are here to let you max out.
Around the area: 4/5 - Depending on where you come from, Little India may seem scary, but really it’s very safe. There’s lots of awesome authentic Indian cuisine walking in the direction to Farrer Park if you’re adventurous (NGL can be intimidating to walk into some of the stalls there), and towards the Bendemeer side you’ll find Dim Sum restaurants start to pop up. It’s also a short 10 minutes walk to Bugis.
In point form
The BM gym to go to if one of your aims is to have fun with friends/socialise.
Onsite showers, changing rooms, washing area, and water-cooler available.
Sofa area + bar tables area available for chilling
Not a dungeon - there’s windows with sunlight during sunlight hours
Decent crowd levels even at maximum capacity, it’s one of the bigger BM gyms
Demographics are mostly local with a few tourists most of the time.
All types of walls available: slab, straight, inclined, overhang, cave
Walls are mid-level, no highballers except for the cave area which is slightly higher than the other walls and can be scary to fall from if your route reaches the top of that wall
Routes are relatively more straightforward here compared to other outlets (doesn’t mean easier) and usually have feed-good big moves (I’m not advanced-enough a climber to put that in technical terms)
Grading here is slightly softer than normal except for the cave area - that whole wall is usually sandbagged.
Climbing-specific training quipment like a kilter board, endurance wall, and hangboards are available
Nice cosy mezzanine level to hang out at for non-commercial routes training
7-11 within a 5 minute walking distance which has Betagro chicken breasts for pre-sesh protein
Lots of good food within a 15 minute walking distance, some notable places where I’ve personally gone to after climbs: Sarigama Bar & Bistro (North Indian cuisine), Swee Choon (Dim Sum), Keisuke Ramen (Japanese). There’s also the original Selegie Road beancurd stall towards Dhoby Gaut side.
Logistics
Grades: 1-8 petals, with 1s being V0/V1, 2s being V1/2 till 8 which is V7+
Shoe rentals and socks sales available
Download the Boulder Movement app and sign the waiver, pass purchase is also through the app only
One of the few gyms which is crowd-controlled, you’ll need to book a slot, likely in advance to be able to get in, two slots are avaialble each day, 11 AM - 4:30PM, and 5:30PM - 10PM.
If you’re using someone’s multipass, get them to link you in their app via email, they will have to book the slot for you
Parking is expensive here, avoid driving if you can. There’s a public carpark just behind Bugis+ but it’s usually full near/during peak hours.
Nearest MRTs: Rochor (Blue Line), Little India (Purple/Blue Line)
Checkout BM’s website/Instagram for routesetting schedule
Checkout BM’s Google Maps place for opening hours
Ask them questions via Instagram DM
Links
Personal Story
This is the BM gym which I didn’t visit until my 6th month into my BM membership. No idea why but my climbing companions and I kept rotating between only Downtown and Taiseng.
Eventually came here anyway and found the rumours that this outlet was BM’s most fun to be true. There’s also the feel-good element when grades are slightly softer than usual and when the gym doesn’t feel congested even at maximum capacity.
My first V4/5 flash happened at this wall above and it was at a time when I wasn’t sending V4s regularly yet. Many routes are on the softer side, but don’t underestimate the cave (which sadly I forgot to take pictures of on my last visit because someone had a bad fall there and it just didn’t seem right to take pictures)
There’s also a nice mezzanine level where there’s an endurance wall together with a unique spray wall. This endurance wall is harder than the Taiseng outlet’s IMO although I haven’t trained here that much. Only got up to move 15/16 the last time I tried (I could complete Taiseng’s circuit once then IIRC)
Overall, highly recommended if you’re visiting Singapore and itching for a climb. There’s the Indian Heritage Center in the building just next door which I found surprisingly good, and also while the streets of Little India may seem dangerous if you’re from a predominantly fair-skinned places, it’s fairly safe and is one of the places where the street culture is noticeably different from other places in Singapore. If you prefer a more curated experience tho, Tekka market and the Little India Arcade have some historical value while still being exposed to the general culture around the area.
Also recommended for local beginners looking for a fun session!
Cheers
Till the next review 😀
Got comments/feedback? You can DM me regarding gym bouldering in Singapore at @boulder.joernal on Instagram. Also, always keen to meet new people, ping me for a climb if you want!