The growing popularity of indoor sport climbing (2011)

Since the 90s indoor climbing gyms pop up exponentially, mainly in the western part of the world. These gyms have brought climbing closer to the ordinary people, especially in cities. And they made the sport more accessible in diverse ways. Besides, they gave space for competitions and events, through which the sport could be strongly promoted. Thus, indoor climbing gyms have had, and still have a big influence on the popularization of sport climbing. However, indoor climbing gyms are relatively new leisure facilities which before the 90s were rare. And those few gyms back then had a completely other form and meaning than the big and exclusive climbing gyms of today. Scientifically little is known about these ‘new’ leisure facilities. Therefore this research takes a closer look, by carrying out a case study of the customers and entrepreneurs of the climbing gyms in Amsterdam. For this case study the main aim is to get to know what makes customers choose for a certain climbing gym in Amsterdam. By trying to answer that question, the research wants to clarify what type of customers the climbing gyms in Amsterdam attract. And what the gyms mean for their customers, and if they differ in that aspect.