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Indoor rock climbing is coming to Lorton, with Sportrock preparing to open a bouldering-focused facility in the historic Liberty complex in mid-June.

The gym will specialize in bouldering, one of the main forms of artificial rock climbing. Unlike lead climbing and top-rope climbing, bouldering uses short walls without ropes or harnesses. Thick, springy padding cushions climbers when they fall.

The Liberty building’s fixed ceiling height and large windows made it particularly well suited to the shorter bouldering format. Sportrock operates three other gyms in the region featuring additional climbing-wall configurations.

Colored plastic holds across the walls form routes that can be rearranged regularly, giving climbers new physical and strategic challenges. Lorton director Pauline de Montebello, an experienced climber and route setter, said a 15-person team travels among the company’s gyms to design fresh climbs.

Bouldering combines strength and endurance with problem-solving, as participants choose the best sequence of handholds and footholds to complete each route. Courses can accommodate a range of abilities, including easier options for young children and beginners.

The new Sportrock will also include a full fitness gym in the basement, mat Pilates and yoga classes, summer day camps and group sleepover events. Monthly memberships, day passes, camp registration and private-event scheduling are available.

An official grand opening is expected in late June, several weeks after the facility begins operating.