What is it about Climbing Gyms?!

In a recent conversation with an industry leader, climbing, specifically, gym climbing was referred to as a "pub culture". Aside from the obvious (climbing and alcohol's synonymous history), the parallels included scantily clad, social, performance-based...

My question is this: What, in your opinion, is the formula for indoor climbing's success?

Or,

What makes a gym better than good but great?

Same thing that separates the mediocre bar from the outstanding one...boobs

/thread

"Boobs"

Best reply ever!

The quality and entertainment value of a climbing gym is directly proportional to its distance from a crag and inversely proportional to the quality of the weather at the crag.

Nope - should have said "jugs" - would have been the better reply.

Matt N wrote:Nope - should have said "jugs" - would have been the better reply.

Jugs would imply that you could be referring to large in-cut urethane objects as well as God's greatest gift to mankind. Some shallow guys are totally into plastic jugs, hope you are not one of them! :p

Boobs.

TWK wrote:The quality and entertainment value of a climbing gym is directly proportional to its distance from a crag and inversely proportional to the quality of the weather at the crag.

This is a lot like pub culture too... basically you're talking about the desperation of the patrons.

To the OP:
Having spent a lot of time in climbing gyms (mostly in Southern CA, Portland, OR and Boulder/Denver area) I would have to say that, for me at least, it comes down to
1. The community of climbers in the gym
2. The quality of the route setting
3. The variety of terrain and holds

Since these are all pretty subjective depending on who you are that may not really give you any info.

boobays ;)

Ben Botelho wrote:Same thing that separates the mediocre bar from the outstanding one...boobs

Nailed it! For many reasons, if girls go to a bar/gym that place is decent and attracts a crowd. Ladies have good taste and smell good. Dudes, well we're just dumb and like to be around ladies.

chufftard wrote:Birthday parties and kids running amok! Yay!

This only occurs because us dirtbag climbers complain the most and pay the least. To cover the cost of Gym overhead something has to give.

On that Note WHEN is the best time (for you) to have your gym run these types of events?

Locker wrote:"My question is this: What, in your opinion, is the formula for indoor climbing's success?"... For "n00bs" it's the feeling of adventure and they THINK they're actually CLIMBING something of merit... For already established, "Climbers", the appeal is of course it's availability, ease of access, social aspect (SOME of these are true for the n00bs also), place to TRAIN, and all the above.

How much of TRAINING , in your opinion, is self motivated and how much is , "I took a class on____ and it was great"?

that is to say, how many of your friends would pay cash and attend a pro-athlete led clinic to get better at climbing?

...Is this a new topic heading???

Indoor climbing gyms...it's all about nOObs with bOObs, and you KNOW it

ascender30 wrote:Indoor climbing gyms...it's all about nOObs with bOObs, and you KNOW it

So what draws the noobs???

are you in an area with a large climbing community? Are they down to earth or dicks? What effect does the local weather play in driving outdoor climbers indoors? do you cater to large birthday parties? (1 8yr olds bday party may equal the same profit as a day of regular climbers).getting kids psyched at a young age will help insure a market down the road. along the same lines- kids classes. and team. is the routesetting good? when it comes down to it the gym is only as good as the routes. DONT PLAY POP MUSIC.
and yes, boobs.

I've climbed at a lot of gyms that were ok/good. Outside is GREAT.

Not sure why people climb in gyms. I'd much rather climb outside.

Kurt Johnson wrote:Not sure why people climb in gyms. I'd much rather climb outside.

Because some of us don't have an "outside" that is less than a 5 hour round trip drive.

Kurt Johnson wrote:Not sure why people climb in gyms. I'd much rather climb outside.

because unless yr guiding, part time or an unemployed bum ... its better than sitting in front of the TV and eating cheezy poofs on the 4-5 days a week average that you cant get outside

id rather take someone who trains at the gym and goes outside every holiday/weekend he/she can ... than those people who yack about how hardcore they are for not going to the gym on the intrawebs, and spends the time surfing porn ...

and this is coming from someone who climbs 150-200 days a week outside ;)

bearbreeder wrote: and this is coming from someone who climbs 150-200 days a week outside ;)

That's a lot of climbing in a week!

Mark E Dixon wrote: That's a lot of climbing in a week!

its like dog years ;)