5 Must-Have Features in a Modern Climbing Gym

At one time, climbing gyms were small, dusty spaces with short top ropes, a few boulders, a pull-up bar, some random dumbbells, and maybe a hangboard or two. Fast-forward to today, and the nicest modern climbing gyms rival luxury gyms like LifeTime Fitness or Equinox. It’s no longer acceptable to only have climbing walls in a gym if you want to remain competitive in the market. 

The bare minimums of any modern climbing gym include high-quality walls built by a reputable wall builder, skilled route setters who create enjoyable and diverse climbs, and a diverse range of climbing holds. With the bare minimum, a modern climbing gym could squeak into the scene and challenge a few gyms. However, to climb up the ranks, there are five additional features a modern climbing gym must have. 

 

Training boards include any of the LED, angled, or adjustable models connected to their respective Smartphone apps. Ideally, the modern climbing gym invests in two different versions, but at least one is a must. The most popular brands include the Kilter Board, Tension Board 2 (TB2), and Moon Board. For intermediate to elite climbers, these are an expected piece of equipment when they go to a climbing gym, as the App interfaces allow climbers to create climbs, test themselves against benchmark climbs, and try thousands of boulders made by climbers around the world. 

Climbing gym memberships are not cheap. As such, the modern climber wants the climbing gym to serve as their all-around fitness facility, eliminating the need for multiple gym memberships. Offering a room for yoga or fitness classes to members can increase the appeal of purchasing a membership. A gym can generate additional revenue by offering drop-in rates for yoga or fitness classes. Providing complimentary yoga mats, blocks, and straps is essential when offering yoga classes. 

Similar to the yoga room, modern climbers want a space where they can strength train and do cardio. A decked-out fitness area will add value to memberships and increase traffic to the facility. Must have cardio and strength equipment, including, but not limited to:

Competition boulder sets, as seen in World Cups or on the Olympic Stage, are a very different style from traditional climbing gym route settings. With the attention Olympic climbing garnered, new climbers and advanced climbers alike expect to see competition-style climbs in the gym. For new climbers, it relates to what they associate with climbing as seen on TV, and for advanced or elite climbers, it provides a space to train the unique movements demanded in competitions. 

Whether used as a warm-up or training tool, hangboards are a classic piece of climbing equipment. The best modern climbing gyms are equipped with a variety of hangboards. They’ll also have pulley systems set up, which allow climbers to offset a percentage of their body weight during hangs, as well as weight belts or vests for those who want to train with weighted hangs. Three hangboards would be the minimum, but five or six options are ideal. The most popular hangboards worth investing in are the 

The modern climbing gym has evolved from a place to train for outdoor projects to a community movement space. It offers a blend of functional fitness equipment, including cardio machines and weight training equipment. A top-tier facility offers yoga and other fitness classes, designated competition climbs, and a variety of hangboards for committed climbers. Any modern climbing facility equipped with the five essential features will be competitive in the indoor climbing industry and attract members seeking an all-in-one climbing and fitness experience. 

Leave a comment if we missed any must-have features and why a climbing gym needs them!