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Planet Granite Sunnyvale
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
103 reviews for Planet Granite Sunnyvale
i'm definitely a fan of planet granite (PG for short), but the two primary reasons it isnt my primary choice of climbing gyms is:
- it's far for me (i'm in fremont, which i wont count against them)
- it's expensive ($18 each time or $72/mo - i believe)
with that said, this gym is the best equipped facility in the south bay hands down. i climb at city beach, a smaller $30/mo place in fremont, but it's not nearly as big or the routes change as often.
PG has decent staff - seems friendly and not stand-off-ish.
PG also offers a short class on how to belay. I dont know much about it because I didnt take it. I do know you have to schedule at least a day ahead because spots actually get taken up. Usually they're at 6:30p and/or 7:30p. Once you do the belay class, you get a temporary belay card so you can practice on your guinea pig friends. the belay device are supposedly self-locking, not the bare-bones ATC's.
you can also just walk in and take the belay test (for certification) w/o scheduling. you cannot, however, take it after you climbed earlier that day. you must take it right when you come in.
certification is needed for lead climbing too.
there is a pretty huge bouldering section with plenty of tough (V6 and up) routes and a good cluster of V0-V2/3 sections for newer climbers. there is a training section for exercises too between the bouldering and top-roping section. there is quite a variation in route heights for top-roping - some are fairly short (in the back, called the "ice box") and some are quite high (in the middle of the gym). you can boulder outside too - well padded ground with rubber chunks. there's a campus board inside and outside. actually, there are multiple campus and rungs. they have cardio machines and weights - not dinky either. there are plenty of bars to do pull ups, rings, another board, shower room, lockers... very cleanly maintained too. the front has a small gear store from shoes, crash pads, carabiners, harnesses, chalk bags, atc's, etc. i think ropes too!
anyway, pg is pretty well equipped. i guess i understand why it's $18. but it's still a lot. i climb there once or twice a month with friends who are members there. sometimes there's quite a bit of traffic after work hours, but nothing that's too crazy.
one thing that i see that PG does not have that city beach (my gym) has are classes for kids. maybe i am wrong, but at city beach they have programs for kids. it's pretty community-based. if you're a regular, people will know your name. PG is a bit different, catering to a larger area. but it's certainly not the only climbing gym in the south bay.
I LOVE this place. In a good week, I make it out here 4 or 5 times a week! It's definitely my gym of choice, and I wish I lived closer. Their hours are pretty good too, for those who work and need a place that stays open fairly late on weekdays.
Yes, the initiation fee is kind of steep, but they do have membership sales about twice a year! Also, ~$70/month is a great deal considering the variety of exercise options they provide. You can climb, boulder (indoors and outside!), work out at their state of the art gym with the cardio and weight machines and free weights, or attend one of their yoga/core/spinning classes.
The layout is pretty awesome as well. The high ceilings make for a very open feeling and there are garage-type doors throughout that can be opened or closed for ventilation. The doors are great for warmer days when a few strategic gaps can create great circulating air flow! And there is enough space so you can watch other people climb and boulder without looking like a creeper.
If you haven't checked it out, give it a shot. Yes, it's an expensive one time visit, but you can also hit up your friends who have membership. They have guest passes, and PG also hosts a Guest Night on the first Friday of each month when each member can bring a guest for free!
Ahhh...alas. I finally visited Planet Granite to climb.
I have to say the place is pretty sick.
It cost $18 to climb.
Harnesses and shoes are available for rent.
The ratings- quite accurate- kudos for that.
There are thread mills, weights, for those who want to exercise.
The place was filled with peeps so you must be careful of your surroundings whether you are a climber coming down or a spectator.
There were some climbs a bit challenging but...it just means another project in the works.
I'm gong to write this from a CrossFitter's perspective.
Most people think $70 is expensive, but this is incredibly cheap considering most CrossFit gyms charge $150. Furthermore, I appreciate having an open gym. This allows me to do WODs even when I sleep in and miss class. Factor in that there are free yoga classes (oh, and there's that rock climbing thing), and Planet Granite is a steal.
Minor quibbles:
* Classes are getting pretty big, so sometimes we have to be creative about how we use the equipment. We only have two GHD machines. One of which isn't comfortable for doing back extensions because it doesn't have space for the crotch. Also, there's only one set of rings that are high enough for muscle ups, although maybe we could hang another set on the pull up ladder.
* WODs that include running (Helen, Michael) are annoying because you have to walk through half the gym in order to get outside. This adds unnecessary seconds to total time. A lot of this would be mitigated if we had some pull-up bars outdoors.
Second time there and now it will be my Tuesday's evening workout!!!
GOOD STUFF! And the sauna is an added bonus! Too bad they don't have a spa, but hey, this is not Lifetime Fitness...
Anyways, I like it there because you will never see a pumped-up all-muscles-no-agility guy there!
...and a lot of chicks tooooo!
I've got Climbing Fever!
If I can do it, you can do it... I've got tendinitis and the upper body strength in the less than 25% percentile of humans. There is a climbing wall suitable for anyone here.. and may I add that all the people I saw here were happy looking, healthy and shiny with sweat... all in a concentrated pool of good looking people (including my bf)
I tagged along with the SB Yelp Elites, (thanks Mikey U. for the class).. i think you can get a free Belay class from a member.. but if not, the class is $34, not bad for 1+ hour of personalized instruction and coaching, there are four to a class and you get walked though it as many times as you need. My teacher, Kyle, was pretty awesome and fun.
Mikey was saying this is an excellent alternative to Friday night drinks and I wholeheartedly agree.
I have never been in a climbing gym before and by the end of the hour I was 40 feet up in the air, confidently climbing a wall with my buddy Donna belay-ing me. I got to smack the tape, at the top, and it was awesome!
Afterwards, you can stay and practice for the rest of the day.
You can buy a discounted package ($50 for 5 in a 2 month period), then if you sign up for a membership, they will wave the initation fee ($35) then it's $70 a month, I think $50 if you are a student.
I think it would be great to go with a group or with a buddy or two. Seems that you would meet fun people too, there is a lot of good smiling and vibes in there.. and who doesn't want to go back to their roots of climbing the jungle gym in the 2nd grade or even further back, climbing trees to pick fruit in the 9th century B.C?
I can't wait to go again..ps climbing burns 660 calories an hour!
this place rocks (no pun intended, hardy har har)! the staff is always friendly, and they even have a pair of nail clippers you can borrow at the front desk (these things have prolly been used over a bajillion times, so don't expect a clean cut, but it's good for a quick fix).
the facilities include not only rock climibing surfaces (duh!), but also a full gym and locker rooms. there is even a sauna (i haven't used it yet, cuz i'm usually too tired and hungry when i get done climbing). they also conveniently have climbing gear and equipment for sale near the front desk, and they have some pretty good deals as well. i don't want a membership, so i just pay for each day use. they have a 10 day pack for $160.
the first time i came here i got sponsored, cuz my friend has a membership here, so my lesson was free and my entrance fee was waived. after the lesson, they offer you a 5 pack for $50. they also offer you a deal on equipment - harness, shoes, chalk bag, and chalk for about $120. to buy all the equipment separately would be over $200, so i say go for it :) now you can explain to people the REAL reason why your forearms are so big hahahhaha.
I was worried it would be really physical or extreme (I mean it looks crazy and I'm a wimp) but there was a class to walk noobs like me through the safety and basics. The routes are graded by difficulty and there are easier ones to start on.
I took a belay class, a friend with a membership can get you a class for 1/2 off or free depending on their level of membership. Normally a visit costs $18 plus shoe/harness rental, it is included with the belay class. After you take the class you can purchase a 5 pack of passes for $50 to be used in 2 mo (45% off, but you still pay for the shoe+harness rental). If you decide you like it enough to buy membership, they'll put the $50 toward your fees. A membership is about $70/mo or $50/mo if you're a student.
I'm thinking of getting a membership here instead of 24 hour fitness since they also have exercise machines, yoga classes, sauna etc. If you're a member equiptment rental and classes are discounted.
I'm not a super physical person, but this was pretty fun! Thanks Mikey and Donna for getting me to come out :-)
yoga.fitness.climbing = complete body orgasm !!!
A) Yoga: This place hooked me into yoga with its wide variety of styles and instructors. They have classes for beginners such as Yoga Foundations and endurance, strength, and flexibility classes such as Power Yoga. Additionally, they have morning, noon, evening and weekend classes. I highly recommend Doris, Jill, Eric, Lorraine, and Susannah.
B) Fitness: It's hard to ignore the amount of toys this gym as to offer. They have everything from weights to those gymnastics ring that makes anyone look weak. Additionally, tie these in with their Crossfit and Cycling classes you got a fitness area that is anything but conventional.
C) Climbing: Uhm? Can we say "Great Fun?" Not only is it challenging (I'm afraid of heights) but you get the sense of being in a community when you climb in this gym. People are friendly and are open with helping each other out on different routes. Furthermore, the gym is really good about making announcements for people who are looking for a belay partner and has a outdoor climbing area.
And Yeah ... I'm a sucker for any place that has a sauna and this place has a pretty decent one with pretty decent shower areas where you don't have to second guess about how filthy the floor is.
Go on weekday mornings and it won't be too too crowded!! The bouldering area isn't exceptionally vast but it has enough to play with, and the handful of people chilling there taking advantage of morning prices seemed nice. I haven't top roped here but that kinda seemed like the gym's main event, lots of couples and father-son kinds of duos chilling and climbing, lots of climbs available.
The gym took forever to find though, from 280. After you turn on Wolfe, you have to drive for a while... and then drive for another long while, and then with eagle eyes locate for yourself the tiny footpath of a road where you'll finally hit the gym.
May I belay you?
NO I am not trying to pick up on you! I just want to rock climb with you ;)
I guess you could say that my husband and I are the "adventurous type" and wanted a new hobby that we could do whenever we wanted to but also didn't break our piggy bank. We tried everything from hang gliding to sky diving and everything else in between but all of these hobbies are expensive and not something we can just pick up and do one afternoon without too much planning.
And then enters Rock Climbing into our lives. We heard a lot of great things with Planet Granite and with this gym being near both of our jobs, it was the perfect place to get involved in our new hobby but most importantly...together!
I am really impressed with this facility and even more happy that with my membership I get a lot more then just rock climbing. I get yoga classes, cycling classes, boot camps and a full gym with cardio machines, weights and a ton of other machines and a great sauna facility with a locker room with that "spa" feel. Also they offer a ton of classes at all different times so their schedule works well for me....not the other way around.
The price was a lot more reasonable then I thought it would be! We got lucky and only had to pay $35 for the one time registration fee and for the both of us it will be $110 a month. Plus equipment like shoes and harnesses will cost us less then $100...so it's an affordable hobby. PG also sells equipment packages with everything you need including shoes for about $130 after tax.
The staff here is friendly and knowledgeable. We had our first belay lesson and we caught on easily and our instructor was very patient with us considering the group we were put in had 3 small children.
This is a family friendly place and kids are welcome. Its pretty amazing to see a 4 year old climbing up a tall wall and looking like a pro! I also saw some new parents with their baby in a stroller next to the wall they were climbing. It wasn't in the way or a deterrence to other climbers so its a great place for parents to come to without hiring a babysitter. Of course all in moderation...the next thing I hate to see is a bunch of unruly unsupervised kids running around like crazy! ;)
And another great thing about this gym is that draws a lot of people....I ran into 3 friends there today! If you are a single climber, you probably will have an easy time finding a stranger (and maybe new friend!) to belay your climb. This is the only drawback and why I only give it 4 stars is because it's not really a place you can use without a permanent partner to go with or you just have to make new friends fast. ;)
See you on the 5.10+......okay maybe not yet....but one day!
The first gym I've had to pay for in a while. And it is worth every penny assuming you know how to use it.
tl;dr version: join if you enjoy climbing/want to start climbing/need a Cross-Fit area/aren't a gym snob.
Pros:
3 stories of rock wall climbing with a wide spectrum of difficulties ("almost-a-ladder" all the way to "how-can-anyone-grab-that-nub?").
Two bouldering areas, indoor and out, again with a wide difficulty range.
Routes that change every few months to give you new problems to work on.
An array of elliptical, threadmill, and bike cardio machines.
Resistance machines and free weights.
Cross-Fit area with rubber weights, kettlebells, and climbing rope.
Locker and shower area.
Friendly members and staff.
Cons:
Subject to any other gym's "peak time" and can get pretty crowded.
People have a possibility of smelling quite bad. And you can't get away when you're 40ft off the ground and hanging onto a fake cliff.
The nature of Cross-Fit lends itself to be quite loud because of Olympic style lifting and dropping of weights.
One "centrally" located pair of water fountains between the entrances of the men and women locker rooms.
Men's locker room has a perpetual funk smell. Can get particularly bad during peak times.
Resistance area is limited.
And after that laundry list, I guess I'll actually use proper grammar. The facility is nice albeit not sparkling clean. Theres chalk nearly everywhere and you're allowed to be barefoot. That just comes with the territory. If you're used to higher end gyms like Club One or Equinox, this isn't the place for you. People actually work out here. And, don't be shamed if a 10yo is scaling the boulder walls like it was a ladder. Kids are crazy natural climbers.
A new kind of workout! This was crazy fun... and fear inducing at first. It was pretty packed on a Thursday night (and they were open until 11pm) but there were still enough ropes to go around, all at various levels.
The best way to do this is probably to go to a class or with a friend who knows what she is doing... but it's easy to learn the basics and kind of addictive.
I haven't been to a lot of climbing gyms, but this is what a climbing gym should be like! A lot of walls, ropes, and routes. Many different features and tons of space to go. The highest wall was a great climb!
The features are awesome, crack climbing, lead climbing. They even have a ledge which I could not get a handle on cause the shoes just wouldn't stick. The bouldering area was huge and they even had outdoor bouldering.
Overall very pleased with this location and looking forward to coming back!
I would like to preface the review first with-- the only gym I have been a member of before PG was 24 hour fitness.. so that speaks for itself.
I have been a member for over 6 months now and it's been awesome! Before I was a member I went to the gym quite frequently to climb. I had my first climbing experience here. They have great beginner routes and the belay device is very easy to use. Besides climbing outdoors, this is the only indoor rock climbing gym I have been to. I have heard from other climbers that the rating system is quite as accurate or the paths they set aren't "short people friendly". I have hit a few 5.10bs where i have found it impossible to reach the next hold and all i needed were a few inches. But I'm sure over time i'll learn some new crazy technique that will help.
The price is pretty steep for a gym (70 a month) but if you rock climb avidly and are interested in yoga or cycling, I think it's worth it. The instructors are pretty solid and the gym is immaculate. The girls locker room has hair dryers, straighteners lotion, towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap and a sauna. The gym is always clean and very big and roomy. I also love the community, everyone is very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere always puts me in a great mood. It's also encouraging that pretty much everyone at that gym is fit.
Try it out! It's a great experience... and who knows... maybe you'll get hooked!
So you know how there are those things in life you must try once...?
For me, one of those things was rock climbing.
It's you against the wall, competing against yourself. Sure you have the harness to save you from a near death fall, but it's ultimately up to you to climb that wall.
Some of my work pals had been asking me to go for months. This past Wed, I finally got my back and fears in check. Armed with a free pass and some stretchy pants, I was ready to experience this exhilarating and challenging sport. Naturally I am fearful of heights and most rock walls at PG are about 30ft tall. Lucky me. You can imagine where I am going with this right...yah. I have never climbed and am scared of heights. Am I crazy? Sure.
Arrived around 5 to meet up with a pal. Rented shoes for $4, got a harness(funky contraption, but the lifeline) and immediately noticed the FUNK. The funk that was a smell of nasty toe and sweaty shoe. You get used to it after a while, but that first whiff is priceless. If you go, you do need to sign up for the intro belay class, to know what you are doing. If not, go with a PG member and get hooked up with a pass! Price are on website.
Started on the baby wall of 5.3(the difficulty goes up). Was laughing my tush off, cause a 6 year old passed me on a similar climb. When I looked down, I immediately felt this rush of crazy go through my arms and legs. It was awesome. I figured that the middle would be a great place to let go, to see what "falling" would be like.
It took me a while, but I did. WEEEEEE. Crazy and fun for sure.
I managed to evoke my American Gladiator and get to the top. I was looking for the bell and storm, but no such luck. Did 2 and 1/2 climbs and got as high to 5 .6.
I tried my hands at bouldering-no harness and smaller walls. Definitely more challenging, and LADIES, if you want to see the HOT GUYS, this is where it's at. But...the boys that come here are not about picking up chicks, and be advised, they are here to climb.
Complete with weight equipment, yoga studio, and cardio machines, this is a great gym. A little pricey at $70 or so a month, but if you like this kinda stuff....definitely worth it. Healthy approved, and healthy endorsed!
I was intimidated by this place .. but as i started off climbing, it wasn't too bad! they have 5.1---5.12a++[i got no clue what it ends with].
i started off with 5.3 just to get the feel, then 5.4 then 5.7, soon later i'm at a 5.10a .. but believe me, its easy increasing your level and then reverting back ... hahahah. some of the ratings are OFF, they may be easier or harder than it is stated. [*note anything with a ledge to climb over .. is a good extra level higher] haha
i got a membership after the first day! $90 initiation + $70 monthly. i even got the beginners kit = harness [black diamond], shoes [evolv], chalk bag, and chalk sock for $112+tax for both females and males.
members get free 1 guest pass every other month, of 1st friday of each monday is guest day, and members can get guests into the belay class($34 value)
this place may smell kinda funny the first time you come in, but you will soon get use to it.
theres lots of climbs, bouldering, a equipped gym, yoga classes, lockers [sauna, showers, lockers]. it's a pretty nice place =)
This was pretty darn fun.
It's a bit expensive if you come here from time to time ($18 + rental for harness and optional shoes), but well laid out with plenty of different climbing difficulties and a decent gym in case you want to work out.
One thing that I thought was icky is the number of dudes not wearing a shirt... look dude, be a mountain man in the mountains... this is indoors!
The staff seemed pretty helpful and some of the clibers there even offered advice on tackling some of the different walls.
What is also nice is that you dont have to get a harness to climb.. they have plenty of walls that you can free climb!
I'm definitely coming back
This place is great when I need to get my rock-climbing on. The staff is super friendly, someone is always available to help you out if you have a question or needed help with the harness.
The climbing wall is top notch too. There are lots of difficulties, from 5.03 to 5.10 from what I can see. I'm kind of a beginner so I stick to the easier routes. But the pros I talk to there say they have routes to challenge their level too.
I'm not a physically adept person; not an athlete in any regard, and by no means graceful or finesse'd (...do I LOOK like a gazelle to you?!). I weight train mostly, jog/run an iota, drunkenly dance, and lift ever-diminishing glasses of drinkydrink to my lips. That's about it. Oh, and flirtily chase girls... until they actually chase back, at which point I turn and run away like a world-class sprinter. [Digress.]
But no amount of modernized, regimented exercise can quite prepare or compare to rock climbing [IMHO].
Strength helps, yes; but there are seldom used muscles and tendons that will groan at you by night's end. Flexibility helps, yes; but climbs will demand unfamiliar contortions and dexterity for your ascent. Balance helps, surely; but fingertip grips and precarious footings will make you question even your every position and posture. And instinct? Well instinct will take you only so far up a wall, but your mental acuity will be tested when "that's my next handhold" obviousness is met with "how the heck do I get up there?" uncertainties.
And Planet Granite is a top-notch facility, ready to put all those things to the test...!
The Sunnyvale location touts one of the largest indoor climbing facilities in Northern California, and with 25,000 square feet of climbing and bouldering surfaces, there are routes/difficulties for every skill level and challenge!
As if that weren't enough, the facility also provides a serviceable workout area outfitted with weight training and cardio gym equipment as well as a yoga studio.
With a relatively low-cost barrier to entry, indoor rock climbing at Planet Granite is a great choice to explore as an outlet for regular exercise, as an activity-centered outing, or simply as a way to test and push yourself to new limits!
Now if you excuse me, I've got new heights to achieve...
___________________________________________
And if all the "it's fun, it's healthy, its good for you" spiel doesn't sell you, then really, the people and physiques here are absolutely amazing.
I mean AMAZING!
Ah rock climbing, definitely something to put onto your Bucket List!
My boyfriend and I always wanted to try climbing, but didn't know where to begin. Luckily some of our Yelp friends have been climbing at Planet Granite for a few months now and are addicted. They advised that we take the Belay Lesson because we were able to rent gear, learn how to belay, as well as climb and belay the rest of the evening.
There are two lessons the evening we went, if you do decide to take the lesson, I would advise to take the earliest lesson you can so that you can belay and climb for the rest of that day. Because, once you get going, you just don't want to stop. Plus it's always fun to go with a small group of friends. The lessons are always a group of 4, so having a group at least that size would be ideal.
The staff at this location are very friendly and easy going. Our Belay instructor was very cool. He was very knowledgeable and was very thorough about his explanations of belaying.
NOTE for more experienced climbers: you have to take their Belay Test before you can belay in their gym.
After taking the Belay Lesson my boyfriend and each purchased a 5 day pass, so that we can come back a few more times to get more of a feel of the gym. We enjoyed it our first time and are excited about returning. Since we purchased the 5 day pass after our lesson, if later we decide we would like to purchase a gym membership, they put the $50 we spent on the pass toward the membership. Which saves us lots of money and gives us the option to try the gym out before we commit to a membership.
If you want to try climbing and don't know where to begin, I would suggest coming to PG and taking a Belay Lesson so that way you can experience climbing as well as be eligible to take the Belay Test if you do decide to return.
Thank you Planet Granite for reuniting me with some of my long forgotten muscles.
Oh, lumbricals, please squeeze harder so I can unbuckle my key! Oh, nm.
Hello, brachioradalis, you mind to raise that pint of beer to my mouth? argg..
Hey deltoid, how are you, can you go higher so I can wash my hair? Ouch! that's ok.
Love this place. Last time I did rock climbing was at City Beach about 2 years ago. And the facility over there is no comparison. They are right to claim to have the biggest indoor rock wall. Not to mention their bouldering sections, both indoor and out! Woot!
There are so many routes to challenge ones agility and metal strength. And each and every one of them are so different and requires different skills to conquer. All the routes are color coded clearly with the level of difficulty, 5.12 anyone? No, I'll stay with the 5.6 for now.
It's amazing to see so many monkeys and spidies scaling these walls with easy and elegance, not me, but someday, someday I'll be the one you look up to!
Special thank you goes to Mikey and Sarah! Thank you for staring at my ass and saving it too!
--------------------------------------------
Side note:
It is deem inappropriate in any normal social settings to gawk at a lady's buttock. But not here! Look all you want! :-]
I'm gonna take my belay test next time! I want that belay card!
How you doing? Let me belay you.
Okay, let's be fair again. I've never actually rock climbed in the new location (I came by just to see the place), just the old. HOWEVER, I am sooo excited about going here that I'm giving them FIVE stars!! Have you seen the wall??? HOLY CRAP!!!
ALI C.!!! Girl, CALL ME!! We need to go ASAP!!
Awesome place for indoor wall climbing! Lots and lots of courses of varying difficulty, with some reaching very, very high on the wall opposite of the entrance. I love that they have gri-gris at each course so you don't have to lug around your own below device. It's also so big here that it hardly ever gets completely saturated and you usually don't have to wait too long to tie in.
While this place may be awesome for climbing, it's below average as a gym. I don't understand the concept of combining climbing with typical gym equipment and yoga. Almost any 24 Hour Fitness will have way better gym equipment and classes, so why make the climbers subsidize the other lackluster facilities? Climbing is already a relatively expensive hobby, so please isolate your services and reduce the price to climb ($17/day for $16 if you get a ten pack). Beware of getting a ten pack - for some strange, strange reason, they don't log it into their systems so you have to carry around a small card in your wallet that's initially worth $160. Why oh why would you make people do this if you have a computer system?!?!
Great fun, but really pricey. I think I paid $22 to climb with shoe rental. They have package deals and memberships, but it's still not cheap at all. I enjoy it a lot, but my $24 a month Supersport gym membership is probably 1/10th as cheap as this. Plus I do so many other sports I only go here 4 times a year which is perfect for me. It is a fun time though and your fingers will hurt in a good way. Make sure you try to jump and blind catch the next rock it's great fun, and if you miss, oh well... that's what the belay and belt are for!
I don't really go climbing that much... or at all really. My friend took me here because he works a at a wall and wanted to take us. I went once at hte student center at UCSD, which was amazingly weak compared to this. Probably 1/10th the size. This place is pretty amazing... It has a lot of walls and decent gear. A lot of different challenges, and not very crowded. However the price is a little bit steep for what I would be expecting. It might be worth it to get a monthly pass, but at around 50 bucks I would have to free u my time. The only other bad part about this place is that the service is a bit slow. Our group of 8 took about 1-2 hours to get started and certified because we each had to go through individual testing that took forever. They only had one person helping us at first, and then finally a second person came to help certify us after half of us were through.
Other than that, this place is great for indoor climbing in a safe environment, but is a little pricey and the service a little lacking.
love this place.
visited once with daughter but was not able to take advantage of the membership yet.
love the yoga and the fun atmosphere.
love the shower - clean.
love the work out room - serious and not 24hrs like.
people were very nice.
Daughter only did bouldering for an hour but LOVED IT.
We will return as soon as we get belay trained...
Love this place. The Staff is friendly. They won't cut you any slack, but really that's good. Better they were strict than someone fell from not knowing wha thier doing.
The crowd is young and friendly and they mostly stick to themselves. Starts to crowd up around 7, and is generally COOOOOLLLLLLD!! Until you start climbing!
They have cross training classes on Monday and Thursday. Other classes include Yoga and Cycling.
I have not gone rock climbing for awhile since I hurt my arm. My arm has been feeling good lately so I thought why not try it again. I really try to push myself this time and you can see the bruises on my right knee and my back has been sore. Thanks to the encouragement and help from Jackie and Mikey that I was able to make it over 5.6. Yes it doesn't sound like a 5.6 is hard but hard enough for me. I should take a belay class and try to see if i can get pass a 5.7.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/12/2009
I came back here last night and I failed!! I did so much better the first time! I am still a fan! I… Read more »
Planet Granite is awesome... 70 bucks a month or 18 dollars for a day pass hmm...
Awesome place to go for the most part everyone is pretty friendly and up beat. Took there beginning rock climbing class (BRC) and learned alot from it. Ended up meeting the guy I now climb regularly with in the class too. so I certainly recommend it.
A section of routes is usually changed at the begining of each week so there is always something to keep you entertained. There is also a full gym inside as well, complete with exercise machines and weights.
Tends to get most busy Tuesday and Thursday nights after 6:30PM or so. Weekends are good time to go cause all the "real" climbers are out on day trips, therefore all you have to contend with is little kids parties, but they can actually be pretty entertaining themselves.
I really like how this place advertises all these belay classes on their website, but when you go to take one, it turns out they're not really offering a class at the advertised times. However, you could come back in 3 hours...a class might be available then. What a great business model!!
For a complete beginner, Planet Granite had the most helpful staff. They directed me to sign up for a beginner's belay class (which only had four people / class, so they fill up quick). As mine was in the afternoon, I started climbing with friends who were already belay certified.
After bouldering, we climbed with gradual difficulty. I tried from 5-2 to 5-8 (which was mostly smearing), and found the courses to generally be well-maintained (except a friend's knob / rock got loose and fell!).
Be sure to go with people whom you trust, as there's nothing more exhilarating than letting go and knowing that you'll be enjoying a smooth ride down.
From the smart, well-educated Silicon Valley people to the high-ceiling, spacious facility, I would come here to try out the gym and corresponding non-rock-climbing classes.
Can't wait to get belay certified.
I'm scared of heights. Like dribble a little pee when you walk in and see the 3-story walls kind of scared. But go with some friends who will belay/egg you on, and your spouse whom you don't want to seem like a total coward in front of, and it's amazing what feats you can accomplish. ok, 5.7s and 5.8s aren't feats of anything compared to what some of those amazing climbers can do here, but still.
I've got nothing to compare this place to, and indoor rock climbing is not likely to be my next big hobby. But the facilities, gym equipment, and locker rooms seem clean, the staff is helpful and friendly, and you'll feel at home with the clientele especially if you work in silicon valley. There are obvious beginners and skilled veterans, and all share the common goal of working out and having fun.
Be prepared for scraped knuckles, banged up knees, and bruised egos.
Good yoga: I don't know about climbing and though I joined Planet Granite I have not attempted it. What I do know is yoga and the classes are more than decent. The power yoga and vinyasa classes are challenging for intermediate-advanced folks. If you're new, the morning classes are best since there are less people.
I have been to many climbing gyms and I really liked this one, minus the crowd. I wasn't a fan of climbing so close to another, but they had some fun routes so that made up for the climbing on top of another.
I was really impressed with the outdoor boulder area, it reminded me of being out in a playground as a kid. They had a ton of great boulder routes, I love bouldering again!
I liked how they had gri-gri's and the carabiners all set at all the top rope routes. This gym is all about the safety factor and it shows.
I wish I had a chance to try out some routes in the lead area. There were a bunch of nice overhangy juggy routes that were calling my name.
Not only is this place great for climbing, there is a huge fitness area as well. Awesome well rounded facility!
This is definitely a quality rock climbing gym. There are huge walls, short walls, of all different difficulty levels. The only thing I can't get used to is how insanely crowded it gets on weekday nights. I get so claustrophobic. Other than that, I highly recommend this gym!
Went here for the first time, and, boy, was I in for a surprise. I didn't expect it to be this challenging. After a few hours, me and my buddies were TIRED. Bouldering was fun and we're planning to come back sometime soon.
If it's going to be your first time, rent the shoes, they help a lot! And so does chalk.
Ever since my friend invited us to climb for the first time last Dec. i was hooked. Me and my girlfriend immediately purchased a membership and decided to make a commitment out of it. The Sunnyvale location is my favorite out of the three gyms. #1 Its the largest facility #2 great design of the climbs both bouldering and roping area #3 Great staff and climbing cronies that you'll get to meet! Obviously the membership gives you access to a lot of things such as free lessons on climbing classes, yoga and even circuit/workout training sessions and don't forget the full workout gym with pro equipment along with free weights. Did i mention a Sauna as well? Haven't stopped climbing since and lots of evenings are spent here climbing till the gym closes @11pm Fingers hurt from this new commitment but its pain well tolerated and gladly accepted :)
I went here for a day a climbing a few years ago. It was crowded, but everyone was friendly and there was a good atmosphere. After reading all the other reviews it makes me regret not going here more even though it's not really close to my old house.
Climbing made me feel so out of shape I couldn't believe it. The closest thing I could compare it to was the first time I went to a spin class. Challenging and intense but rewarding as well. I loved it, but I wasn't used to thinking about where to position my hands and feet while moving upwards against gravity. Personally, I'm usually more of an elliptical bound gazelle..... Anyway I would recommend it to anyone who wants my recommendation!
I expected too much from the country's largest climbing gym. The size includes the yoga studio and the fitness gym, so the actual climbing walls are about the same as the other large gyms in the Bay Area.
My beginner friend in the South Bay was not able to meet up due to the belay class being full. Fortunatley she called ahead and didn't make the trip. Be sure to sign up ahead of time.
Some highlights: being able to walk and see outdoor space, more beginner routes, and the monkey bars(!).
