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NYC climbing gyms?

Original Post
Ri Fahnestock · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 30

Hey all-

Headed down to NYC for a while and wanted to check out some of the gyms in the area. Looking online there seem to be quite a few, many of which appear to be regular sports gyms with climbing walls.

Which gyms are dedicated (or at least serious) climbing gyms? I would love to swim in a pool, or take a sauna post climbing, but am more interested in climbing and checking out the indoor scene in the metro-region.

Thanks -Ri

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

Brooklyn Boulders and The Cliff in Long Island City are serious climbing gym. MPHC is pretty serious but not as big as the other two.

Greeley · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 15

I don't live in NYC, but I used to travel to there fairly often for work and I've been to a couple of the gyms. I'm sure a native New Yorker would have more info, but as someone who was looking to get their climbing fix while on the road I'll give you my experience.

Manhattan Plaza Health Club has a climbing gym and sells day passes for a reasonable price. The downside to MPHC is that the climbing gym is pretty small -- I only bouldered there because their roped walls are REALLY short -- but it's connected to a full health club, so you would also have access to a pool, exercise equipment, etc.

The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers also has climbing walls. From what I've heard the walls are pretty big, but I never went because the day passes are $50. The day pass gives you access to all the facilities (not just the climbing), but I only wanted to climb so it wasn't worth it to me. It might be worth it for you if you're also looking for pool, sauna, etc.

The best climbing gym I went to was Brooklyn Boulders. It's big, has tons of routes (including decent-sized roped climbing), and awesome training equipment (e.g., hangboards, campus boards). It's only a climbing gym, so you wouldn't have a pool or any of the other stuff. The day passes were reasonably priced, if I remember correctly.

Good luck.

Ri Fahnestock · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 30

Thanks for the replies,

It definitely seems like BB and The Cliffs, and perhaps MPHC are worth checking out in the city.

I'm also interested in whether it would be checking out Steep Rock, or The Rock Club? Any reports?

Thanks again!

Alex CV · · Greater NYC area · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 235

If you're into roped routes, LIC is much better than BKB. Chelsea Piers is ok for routes too but is old school by today's standards.

petzl logic · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 730

Steep Rock and MPHC are smaller and have good bouldering and a nice community. BKB has tons of bouldering in comparison, and some nice but shorter roped routes. If you want to climb ropes, Cliffs LIC is the best. It doesn't have a pool, but it does have weights and cardio machines.

Have fun.

George Christiana · · Jersey City, NJ · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0
Alex Chenvainu wrote:If you're into roped routes, LIC is much better than BKB. Chelsea Piers is ok for routes too but is old school by today's standards.
Meh. I'd debate BKB -vs- The Cliffs for roped routes. The Cliffs is newer, has bigger walls and more overhung options if that is your thing. But I still think the route setters at BKB do a better job of putting up more 'interesting' routes, with challenging moves that make you think a bit more. I like both places. Just for different reasons. Both are worth a visit if you've never been.

Chelsea piers is pretty lame for climbing only. Overpriced for what it is, unless you plan on making a day of it and using the rest of the facilities. Last I heard, the price for the day was something like 60 bucks. Whereas a day pass at either BKB or The Cliffs is under 30. Less if you are military or student.
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