Ground Up Climbing Gym

Ground Up Climbing sits on level 2 of the Civil Service Club at Tessensohn, and it is built around auto-belays — thirteen lanes of them, more than almost anywhere else in Singapore.

That matters more than it sounds: an auto-belay lets you climb a full-height wall alone, without a partner to hold the rope, which is the usual barrier to roped climbing. Alongside them are five top-rope lanes and a bouldering area, for around thirty-four lanes in total, plus training boards. Courses run from a taster session up to SNCS Level 1 certification.

It suits solo climbers above all — turn up alone and you can still get on a rope — and beginners working towards a certification rather than just dropping in. Being inside a club building rather than a mall, it is quieter than the commercial gyms, and it takes children’s parties. Farrer Park is the nearest station.