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The Rock Gym Indoor Climbing Center
Rating Details »
Categories: Amusement Parks, Gyms, Amateur Sports Teams, Trainers [Edit]
2599 E Willow StSignal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 981-3200
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 1:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
15 reviews for The Rock Gym Indoor Climbing Center
This place seriously kicked my ass. 30 minutes in, I was dripping with sweat , my shoulders and triceps were burning, and my hands were shaking from the exertion of hanging onto the walls for dear life. But it felt GOOD.
If you're looking for an intense workout and trying something new, I would totally recommend giving this place a shot. We paid $22/person for admission, harness, and shoes. Some tips I'd give you- rent the shoes. They make a huge difference on how close you can get to the wall and stepping onto the footholds. They're much lighter and form-fitting than regular sneakers so it'll make the climbing process much easier. Dress comfortably (I saw a girl in a tie dye shirt, acid wash black skinny jeans, and high top sneakers. Not only was it the worst outfit to go rock climbing in but it confirmed my fear that 80s style clothing is definitely back in. *sigh*). Bring something to drink since you'll get dehydrated fairly quickly. Trim your nails (long nails will make it impossible to get a good grip). And come with someone you not only have fun with but have a lot of trust in as well. You'll thank me once you reach the top of that wall and realize your partner has the responsibility of getting you safely back on the ground.
One of the employees, Adam, was really great at getting us settled with our gear and basic instruction. When the crowds died down a bit, he came over to coach us through some of the climbs which was helpful and really nice of him. That sort of customer service and attention definitely matter in these cases and is one of the reasons I would totally go back.
Check this place out and get in a crazy workout and a lot of fun at the same time. I'll see you there.
People thought this was:
- Useful (8)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (9)
I finally rock climbed for the first time today! Whoo hoo! It was so much fun.
The Rock Gym is great for groups. The atmosphere is really relaxed and not intimidating at all. It was perfect for a group of mostly first timers.
I'd recommend bringing a few bottles of water because you will get thirsty. I brought a cooler to keep the water chilled and it worked out perfectly.
I wore some baggy basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and my running shoes and I was really comfortable.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
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Came here one weekend to try rock climbing for the first time. Going in, it was almost like a warehouse with random walls filled with colorful footholds. As the reviews said, there was no locker room to change or anything, but we were so smart that we came equipped with comfy clothes already on. To my surprise, the front desk guy (?) told us that we didn't have to rent the rock climbing shows as long as we had tennis shoes on. So we only paid for the harness rental fee as an extra.
He gave us a good tutorial, starting from how to strap a harness to how to support one another with the rope. After finishing the easiest wall under his supervision, we were ready to be on our own to tackle whichever walls pleased us. Well, except there was one thing that we needed to figure out first:
I'm a little less than 5' and my fiancé is 6'3". How the hell are we supposed to support one another? Well, it's a piece of cake for him to support me, but the other way around? Not so much. The solutions were lying on the floor everywhere. The front desk guy strapped a 40lb sand bag onto my harness, which was supposed to cover our weight difference. But wait, are we really only 40lb different? Being somewhat skeptical, we got started on our climb. I conquered the first wall, and everything worked out great. Next was his turn. When he reached the top and let go of the wall, I was supposed to slowly bring him down. Instead, he shot down, and the sand bag and I shot up. We met right in the middle of the air, hung by the rope, circling around each other and tangled up. It was already painful enough to just be hung by the harness (I think I got bruised on my thighs), but it was extra painful to be pulled up from his weight, and down from the sand bag. I finally managed to pull us both down after de-tangling ourselves, but I'm sure people who saw us screaming at one another enjoyed the show.
I ended up using two 40lb sand bags and things finally worked out. Then the sad truth came soon after. We couldn't even complete more than just the first 2 easiest walls out of dozens. How pathetic. Our journey ended there and we were both pretty beat. We kept trying new walls and we just couldn't do it. Our fingers started to shake and eventually lost our grip.
Nonetheless, it was an out of our ordinary weekend activity and we very much enjoyed it. They had big tables and chairs by the wall if anybody wished to have a birthday party or something. Not sure about that option for myself, but I'd definitely love to come back... well, after I gain some muscle so that I can finish more than just a couple of walls, and even go to the next door batting cages to hit some balls.
People thought this was:
- Useful (7)
- Funny (6)
- Cool (6)
A million hand-over-hands on the driving wheel
Shampooing = the task of the century
My 25 lb pug suddenly turned into a Mastiff when I walked him.
What the hell does all that have to do with rock climbing? Driving, shampooing, & walking my dog virtually was impossible after spending only a couple of hours at this facility. Ryan M. could vouch for that as he clung on to the passenger seat during the drive back.
Know this:
You will be sore. Depending on your technique, you will probably feel it on your forearms first, shoulders second, and legs (only if you're using the correct form). For me, I just couldn't do the butterfly split thing that Matthew K. does so well (damn that guy!).
You will go home with blisters on your hand
You will go home with bruises on your knees, so wear sweats if you could.
You will not do very well with regular tennis shoes, so spend the extra couple of bucks for the shoes
Location has about 15 climbs that are supported, the other areas are free climb.
$16-17 to use the facility (day pass)
$6.00 for harness and shoes
$4.00 for shoes by itself or $3.00 for harness by itself
==========================================
My only gripe is that there really wasn't a changing area. I've only done this one other time, so I can't give it a 4 without full recollection of the last experience to compare to. I'm a pretty active gal, but this activity kicked my ass! TKO! There are probably about 3 climbs that are easy/manageable. I was only about to get 5 climbs in, 1 of which was a major struggle, and the other I was only able to 1/2 a climb in. One would think 2 hours would give you more climbs, but it didn't. It's very tiring/exhausting if you've never done this before, so stretch, stretch, stretch!
Thank you Matt K for coordinating this, and Ryan M, Marlon, Carolyn, & Sarah for making it lively!
People thought this was:
- Useful (10)
- Funny (6)
- Cool (10)
Oh snaps son, I haven't had this much fun climbing walls since I was a kid. With that said, I've only tried it once through an old high school program I used to be apart of. I've always wanted to go again but never had the opportunity to until Matt K., mentioned this place. Originally I was stoked to go to that Rockreation place in LA, but this place would do just fine.
One thing's for sure Debbie N. and myself carpooled here to meet up with Marlon, Matthew, Carolyn and Kenny to take part in this entertaining the UYE. The paths are designated by colored tape, ranging in the difficulty levels you wish to commit to. As mentioned it would be better to bring friends or a group considering the encouragement and also the belaying of harnesses that allowed you to climb and help a friend. All of this with an all day pass and harness costs $19.00 (an additional $6.00 for shoes I believe).
Despite getting my ass kicked not once but several times (by Debbie and a particular challenging wall). I've had so much fun I might consider doing this more often to upkeep my training in fitness and possibly prepare myself, if and when I'll get into free running and so forth. Overall a great time, and something you need to try at least once. For my experience, my forearms were completely numb the next day making it difficult to type and our allow anything cognitive with my arms and hands to occur.
So pack your water bottle and prepare yourself for one hell of a workout. Good stuff, hopefully I can go again in the future.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (3)
My friend recommended going to this place since Rock City was a fail. The place was empty at the time and were greeted by a very nice lady. ( didn't get her name) We paid $20 bucks each for harness, shoes, and carbines. She quickly taught us how to use the equipment and in less than five minutes my friend and I were climbing.
There are the easy places on the wall then the super hard parts that my friend and I got 3/4th done with but didn't have the strength after two hours. However, all of the pain was worth it so much.
I am sore as I am typing this but I can say I am willing to go there again this month. People were friendly and overall a nice atmosphere.
I am a first timer that is hooked!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
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My only other experience with climbing was outdoors, and I much prefered that, but this seems like a good place to build up hand and forearm muscles and becoming familiar with various climbing angles and grips.
I started on the easy walls and thought it was dumb, although I started building a light sweat on my fourth or fifth time up. It was relatively empty towards the end of our visit (a Sunday morning/afternoon), so we experimented with different walls and the boulder area. The boulder area is insane. I can't figure out how someone can hang on to those grips upsidedown and from various angles.
This gym seems like a cool place to come with friends and, like I wrote, pace yourself and do your own thing. The reason I didn't rate it higher is based on customer service.
We arrived a little after ten. Granted, there was only one girl working the place. However, she told us she was too busy with the group ahead of us and we would have to come back in an hour so she could teach us how to use the equipment. We told her that we had already climbed outdoors, but she said their releases were slightly different, so she needed to show us. Okay. Whatever.
So we leave and fiddle around for an hour and return. We put on the harnesses and she shows us how to use the equipment. You know how long it takes??? 45 seconds. 45 SECONDS!!! I'm irritated at this point, but whatever. It's not like I had anywhere to be, but it was so stupid. If I was an angrier person, I would have hit her. HAHAHAH
My friend's shoes were too small, but the bigger ones were being used by the other group. He was having a lot of trouble with them, and mentioned it to her more than once. It was to the point where he was literally taking them off in between tries. At one point I looked around and we were the only ones there. I'm like, "they guys are gone, go get your shoes."
We're both adults and able to follow up on things ourselves. However, as she was doing absolutely nothing at the desk, it really would have been a nice and helpful gesture if she had told us when they left and offered my friend some new shoes instead of having us wait. She just wasn't attentive at all. At one point I was climbing on the jutting diagnal and fell and turned upsidedown yelling. I don't think she even batted an eye. I was fine and everything, and I'm sure people do all sorts of dumb stuff, but it all just goes into the inattentive pile. :/
Ok let me make sure i heard this correctly...once i've reached the top, i have to let go n trust that my partner below me will safely bring me back down?? Grr..now im scared, my life is n sum1 elses hands!!!! Ok ok it's not thaaaaaaat bad i'm exxagerating a little. ITS SO MUCH FUN! Go in even #s so everyone has a "partner" and expect to work out a little. & ladies (or weird guys with freakishly long nails) if u can cut them b4..do so, I found it was a little bit harder to get a grip on certain rocks because of my nails. It's a good place to go for a date or with a bunch of adventorous friends. (& if more people go u can race against each other n the rocks nearby..little game i thought of.) Have fun!!
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- Useful (2)
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- Cool (1)
...Poised, for the time being, stuck to the wall like Velcro; 25 feet up, my calf starts to bounce and my hands aren't as strong as I remember. Looking up there is a small hole in which to stick my finger and... hang, rest...climb? Then a second later I stop abruptly dangling form my nylon umbilical cord, the only thing that is now stuck is the smile across my mouth. Thanks buddy on belay I can climb another day...
Who would have thought you had muscles in your fingers that are affected by the fantastic burn of lactic acid?
Never been rock climbing before, this place was great for beginners. The instructional class went over the basics with patience and reassuring friendliness. Even after the intro lesson they were more than willing to drop what they were doing to answer questions or scurry up the wall to take a picture.
There didn't seem to be a whole lot of people there while I was there; not too sure how busty it gets.
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Considering I can barely type this review due to my forearms being sore and my hands covered in blisters, I must say bouldering is QUITE the workout.
Bouldering is climbing without the harness and it also includes climbing from under coves (overhands). *See pictures, for I have failed to describe in writing.
This isn't the closest of places for us to have gone, but we met up with a couple of K's friends from college. I really like this place because the employees aren't all up in your face while you are trying to do things and there is a lot of room to rest up between climbs, etc.
I have totally found a new hobby regardless, and I am stoked!
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (5)
This is one of the biggest indoor rock gyms, but don't let it mislead you. It is one of the biggest gyms but the amount of climbing area is pretty much the same as any other gyms. Its just more open space.
The bouldering sections are pretty challenging. If you are a beginner, you are going to be stuck at the front of the center bouldering section. The other boulder sections may be too difficult. There's an overhang on the side and one that goes on the roof. Its pretty crazy.
Its not a bad place if you also looking to belay. They have plenty of areas and different types of walls to belay.
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when i was a kid i love climbing trees... i love making my own ghetto tree house... climbing just gives me some sort of adrenaline rush and it feels like one you slipped you're dead....so when an event here on yelp was posted for wall climbing i clicked "I'm in" right away!!!
i have to admit i think i only did this once before and that's it... all i know about wall climbing is to act like you're spider man! try to crawl the wall and try to use you legs to climb since you legs is always stronger than your arms!
So we are suppose to meet in this place at 3pm but i was a bit late since i was busy in the Hilltop Park playing with my camera... i got there around 3:10 and Matthew K. was waiting for everyone... soon came Carolyn L. with her boyfriend for moral support since they don't want to climb that day and a couple of minutes later Debbie N. and Ryan M. came... after filling up those waivers we're set! the entrance for the gym is 16 bucks and additional 5 bucks if you want the harness and shoes too.. good thing Matthew got and extra shoes and harness so i saved 5 bucks! yey! one extra beer for me tonight! We chose saturday and there seems to be a kid's party! which made it more challenging for me... i don't want a kid climbing the same wall faster than me.... I was taught how to belay people too... with made it faster for us cause 2 people can climb at a time.... This place has a lot of different types of wall ranging from easy to freaking impossible boulders!
After climbing for almost 2 hours it made me think about this sport, and up to now i'm asking myself "should i start doing this regularly? since there are 2 gyms close to my house plus its a good cross training for my upper body for paddling" decisions decisions ... which means i have to give up one sport... ugh... its hard! lets see.. i might start buying the gears one by one soon...
good thing i've been good about working out lately... or else i'll die after 30 minutes of climbing...
pictures! http://picasaweb.googl...
People thought this was:
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They offer beginner classes where you learn about proper belaying and climbing techniques. I thought you can just show up at one of the scheduled times for these classes (Mon - Thurs: 7pm to 9pm; Friday: 6pm to 8pm; Weekends: 10am to 12pm), but you're really supposed to call in advance to let them know you're coming to ensure someone is around to teach. Fortunately when I walked in with a friend earlier tonight, Jessica said she could give us the class.
Jessica was the only one working, so we had to have a couple breaks in our lesson while she helped other rock climbers, but this was a good thing because 1. she was nice enough to give us a class at all and 2. our arms needed the break!
The lesson was fun and informative! And while my arms were getting really tired, the newly learned techniques did make climbing easier and that much more enjoyable.
I now have a full week to climb the bouldering area (this is basically climbing free of rope or belay device and you can do this alone) and all the other climbing routes (I think you'd need to have someone else with you for these). This is part of the Intro to Sports Climbing package for $37, which included the lesson.
They have all sorts of membership packages depending on how often you'd like to go and you can rent any equipment you need.
Go Climb!
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This gym actually turned me on to rock climbing. Just bring a partner and get going, there is very little regulation or danger involved. The floors are well padded and there's lots of people all ages gettin their climb on. It costs like $14 and you can stay as long as your arms will allow you. I had a great time!
the people that works here are very helpful & nice. i had a fun time being here. it's only $16/person and $6 for equipment rental.. you can stay here as long as you like and come in & out (with your receipt).. bring food in.. etc. great place for workout. and if you like to rest somewhere nice.. you can go to hilltop park which is only 3 minutes away from the rock gym.
People thought this was:
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