First climbing gym in the world This gym offers a variety of climbing challenges, from beginner-friendly routes to more advanced problems. It’s the largest climbing gym in the state, and it was designed and built by Chris and crew at Vertical Ventures. Central Rock Gym provides a world-class climbing using their climbing walls that are broad and youth programs and summer camps. Germany: DAV Kletterzentrum München-West: This vast Munich gym boasts diverse climbing structures, catering to all levels and styles. Sep 25, 2024 · The gym is part of the Desnivel project, one of the main climbing publishing houses in Spain, so inside you can also find a very rich selection of guides of bouldering areas and crags of Spain. Psyched to go climbing? Get all the gear HERE - https://bit. Jun 18, 2024 · Early days at the Vertical Club, first commercial climbing gym in the United States. We know that Terres Neuves was the first climbing gym in Belgium (and in the world), but the very first climbing wall in Belgium was built in 1937 at the request of King Leopold III. verticalworld. The first gym was opened with little more than rocks glued to painted plywood. Vertical World - Seattle 2330 W Commodore Way, Seattle, WA 98199 206. Today, with more advanced Jun 13, 2024 · For workout aficionados seeking to push themselves, indoor climbing gyms challenge endurance with state-of-the-art facilities and expert staff. Oct 4, 2019 · Vertical World first opened its doors in 1987—called Vertical Club at the time—by founders Dan Cauthorn and Rich Johnston. Don't miss the outdoor bouldering area! Jul 18, 2024 · Climbing Gyms and Participation: Commercial Gyms: The US hosts about 614 commercial rock climbing gyms. 15c) in 2013. read A climbing wall can be outside or inside, in stone, in plastic or in wood, and only when it is in a separate space, we speak of a climbing gym. After the local chain’s Redmond location closed this Feb 2, 2024 · Europe's Climbing Paradise: Top Gyms by Region. The gym juggles the now-usual brand of offerings: birthday parties, youth camps, and adult classes, plus a multitude of top rope and lead routes alongside a small bouldering area. SEATTLE, WA - Thirty years ago, in a rundown warehouse in Seattle, two ordinary climbers made history when they glued chunks of rock onto sheets of plywood. Global Gyms: Worldwide, there are over 20,000 climbing gyms. Jul 24, 2024 · The first commercial climbing gyms owe their existence to the ingenuity and engineering skills of a few resourceful climbers from the 1970s and 80s seeking ways to stay in shape during the off-season. Built two successful climbing gym companies, Sharma Climbing and Sender One. We are beginning to add private health clubs, colleges, YMCAs or other non-profit community centers that have a climbing wall, as well as international locations. Scotland Statistics Published: 5th of August, 2024 VERTICAL WORLD, AMERICA’S FIRST INDOOR CLIMBING GYM – EST. m (68,641 sq. The gym was no more than rocks Dec 14, 2022 · The Hardest Climbing Route In The World. First off, they're accessible. Once artificial climbing walls were introduced into the World, climbing saw a massive rise in talent and progression. Roc 30 climbing gym in Madrid . 15b (9b) in 2007. In each update, we distill global climbing stats, unraveling the trends, innovations, and economic currents shaping the indoor climbing industry. To wit, the 2020 summer Tokyo Olympic Games will feature sport climbing for the first time. Seamus Payne of TheCoolist explores 10 of the most incredible climbing gyms from around the world. For ABC Climbing Academy, that step began with two legends of the climbing world: Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou and Didier Raboutou. Feb 8, 2025 · At the heart of every adventure lies a first step. Nov 24, 2021 · Sam Mwangi, who has been a fixture in the climbing community for years and formally became the Climb Director in 2018, echoed the challenges of running the gym away from the broader world of climbing, but his quiet dedication to moving the sport forward against long odds has shaped his own worldview. The first official indoor climbing gym is widely credited to be the Vertical World in Seattle, Washington, which opened its doors in 1987. ” The new Vertical World North location adds to that legacy. ) This sprawling Innsbruck training center is oft-touted as the world’s best climbing VERTICAL WORLD, AMERICA’S FIRST INDOOR CLIMBING GYM – EST. This map includes commercial climbing gyms in the USA and Canada, defined as for-profit or co-op owned facilities in which indoor climbing is a primary focus of the facility. Jul 5, 2024 · This sprawling Innsbruck training center is oft-touted as the world’s best climbing gym, due to the sheer size (60,000 square feet of climbing surface), variety (over 550 roped routes, 200-plus Vertical World – America’s First Climbing Gym ® provides a unique training facility and specialized programs for youth and adults within our communities. Rocktown Gym – Oklahoma City, OK. The Bunker Gym. Owen Clarke. In addition to these exhilarating activities, Adventure World operates the first climbing gym in Oman, provides comprehensive climbing training, and hosts both indoor and outdoor team-building courses. Currently Vertical World has two operating locations with a third opening this summer: Seattle, Redmond, and Lynnwood. Oxygen Gym, Kuwait. May 27, 2025 · Since 1970, Climbing Magazine has been the voice of the climbing world, publishing climbing news, interviews, features, opinions, and advice. 10. Check out @AlexisLandot and the gym climbing gym https://aubervilliers. We opened in a run down warehouse next to the train tracks. The gym was no more than rocks Hippolyte Triat and the first commercial gyms. This is the biggest climbing gym because it has the most climbable surface, which come in at an astonishing 53,819 sq. His club opened in Brussels in the 1940s. was established by Vertical World in Seattle, WA in 1987. There is another climbing facility, DAV Munich Sud, that features the largest total climbing surface but it was designed on a much smaller scale in 1989 and had multiple extensions added throughout the yea 2003 was a busy year for Touchstone Climbing, as we expanded further into the East Bay with the completion of our Concord location, Diablo Rock Gym. (Photo: Rich Johnston) Fifty years later, gym climbing is projected to be a billion-dollar activity, with over 600 commercial gyms frequented annually by five million climbers, more than the number of sport, trad, ice and alpine climbers, and boulderers Most climbs in a climbing gym (known as "problems" in bouldering [3]) will have an approximate climbing grade [note 1] and a way of identifying the holds to be used. However, the first indoor climbing hall in the world was founded in 1974 in Bolzano, Italy. of rising terrain in six locations throughout New England. Now, let's explore some of the most outstanding climbing gyms across Europe, categorized by region: Western Europe: 1. That first commercial climbing wall in Sheffield, UK referred to (The Foundry) opened in 1991. One of the top facilities in the UK is The Arch Climbing Wall in London. Although the gym moved to several different facilities around Seattle over the years, Vertical World is widely recognized as “America’s First Climbing Gym. ft or 5,000 sq meters. May 24, 2018 · Vertical World opened the very first rock climbing gym in America in 1987 on Elliott Ave in Seattle. Jun 28, 2024 · Katie Lamb On Becoming the First Woman to Climb V16 (Again) May 1, 2025. Disclaimer: Madrid has more than 50 centers, indoor and outdoor for rope bouldering. With not much more than a vague concept and a shoestring budget, Richard Johnston and Dan Cauthorn laid the foundation for what is now the indoor climbing gym industry, and opened Vertical World, the first indoor climbing gym in America. Jan 27, 2025 · These are ten of the best gyms in the world to visit: Dedicated SuperGym. com. What height are most rock climbing gyms? Vertical World – America’s First Climbing Gym ® provides a unique training facility and specialized programs for youth and adults within our communities. Oct 17, 2023 · When it opened on Elliott Avenue in Seattle in 1987, the original Vertical World location was the first indoor rock climbing gym in America. Climbing. Muscle Beach Venice. Mesa Rim San Diego, CA With four SoCal locations, MR believes climbing and yoga are the same thing—forms of meditation—and they offer some of the area’s best resources for Vertical World Seattle stands as one of the best gyms in Seattle. , the first artificial walls weren’t built in old warehouses or shopping districts by professional climbing wall companies. Unfortunately for our South Bay members, the bouldering gym closed in 2008, but — spoiler alert — we returned to the 408 in 2012. If you haven't explored the Chicago climbing gym scene already, use this guide to figure out where to introduce yourself to climbing or stay in shape when you can't make it to your favorite natural outdoor climbing area. Aug 8, 2022 · Divine Ascents: Gothic Church Transformed Into Climbing Gym. View in gallery The only climbing gym in Peoria that opened in 2019, it features world-class rock climbing holds on a 14, 400 square feet climbing area, a single yoga studio, 60 roped routes (including top rope, lead, and auto belay), and 80 bouldering problems. So, at least in the U. We can’t have a list of the best climbing gyms in the world without Kletterzentrum Innsbruck (perhaps better known as “KI” for us Americans; looking at that first word gives me anxiety. NEW MEMBER OFFER! Get 40% off KAYA PRO, the ultimate climber’s toolkit The oldest climbing gym in the United States and Canada is Vertical World, which was originally named Vertical Club when it opened its doors back in 1987. Jul 1, 2024 · The 13 Coolest Climbing Gyms 1. “Silence” is graded 9c or 5. Our services include mountain climbing and guided tours through Oman's stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. It took the US to follow suit in 1987 when the first indoor climbing gym was built in Seattle. VERTICAL WORLD, AMERICA’S FIRST INDOOR CLIMBING GYM – EST. They originally opened on Elliott Ave in Seattle with rocks glued to plywood panels (climbing holds and wall construction techniques had not yet been invented). The gym is the result of Reini Scherer’s effort to have it built. . The gym was no more than rocks glued to painted plywood panels. CrossFit Wanderlust Bali. Feb 14, 2024 · In light of climbing's growing popularity, it's hard to imagine that when Vertical World first opened in 1987 on Elliot Ave in downtown Seattle, it was radical. We opened the very first rock climbing gym in America in 1987 on Elliott Ave in Seattle. The purpose of this organization was to regulate the burgeoning climbing gym industry, hopefully keeping the government from stepping in with its own set of Jun 23, 2024 · The United Kingdom boasts a vibrant climbing scene, with bouldering gyms scattered throughout the country. May 31, 2018 · There are now climbing gyms in every major city, handhold companies throughout the world, wall building companies flourish, mobile walls and gym facilities also make their not-insignificant financial mark in the outdoor industry. Oct 22, 2016 · Vertical World Seattle, WA This was the first indoor climbing gym in America when it opened in 1987; it now has three locations in the Seattle area. Jul 5, 2024 · This sprawling Innsbruck training center is oft-touted as the world’s best climbing gym, due to the sheer size (60,000 square feet of climbing surface), variety (over 550 roped routes, 200-plus Mar 23, 2025 · The largest indoor climbing gym in the world is a climbing gym in Paris, France called Climb Up Aubervilliers. Today, memberships account for about 60 percent of the business. 4497 Vertical World - Seattle This was the first climbing gym in America in 1987. Visits: In 2020, North American climbing gyms saw over 151 million visits. Gyms bring the adventure to you, offering a controlled environment where you can learn, practice, and push your limits. In some gyms, holds are identified by coloured tape placed next to each hold, but it is becoming more common for the holds of a given climb to all be the same or similar colour for easy identification. At the end of the century Eugene Sandow also created his first gym and in 1901 held the first fitness competition. Jun 23, 2024 · The first indoor climbing gyms. Tone House Nomad. From Tokyo to Switzerland to Chattanooga, these are some o Welcome to your regular compass through the dynamic landscape of the climbing industry. Mar 4, 2025 · Chicago rock climbing opportunities have roughly tripled in the last ten years, with upwards of ten new modern climbing gyms opening in or nearby the city since 2014. You don't need to live near a mountain to get a taste of climbing. May 25, 2018 · Thirty 30 years later, there are climbing gyms in every major city, and the 2020 summer Tokyo Olympic Games will feature sport climbing for the first time. S. Gold’s Gym Venice. Scherer started climbing at 14 and by 1985 was climbing hard routes in Verdon. We also opened our first bouldering-only gym in downtown San Jose. In 1991, he climbed Austria’s first 5. ly/3LfY0OQThe Blockhelden Erlangen bouldering gym is a state-of-the-art facility, with a total su Dec 30, 2024 · Why Climbing Gyms? Before we dive into the list, let's talk about why climbing gyms are awesome. May 23, 2018 · R ich Johnston and Dan Cauthorn, pictured left, co-founders of Vertical World—America’s First Climbing Gym—opened their first rock climbing gym in 1987 in Seattle, WA and are celebrating 30 years in business. . Vertical World is known as America’s first climbing gym, offering extensive climbing and bouldering facilities. ft. The sport has always contained a "purist" contingent— people who believe that real climbing only happens on real-life rock outdoors. A couple bought a 137-year-old church and plans to turn it into a climbing gym without fundamentally altering it. Vertical World – America’s First Climbing Gym ® provides a unique training facility and specialized programs for youth and adults within our communities. The first commercial wall was built in Sheffield, traditionally England's centre for climbing due to its proximity to the Peak District. First repeat of La Dura Dura, the world’s first 9b+ (5. ft) plywood panels, Kletterzentrum Innsbruck is the biggest climbing gym in the world that was designed and built in one push at this size. 283. First ascent of Jumbo Love, the world’s first 5. History Vertical World, the very first rock climbing gym in America, opened in 1987 on Elliott Ave in Seattle. Aug 21, 2020 · With its 6377 sq. frMy clothing brand: https://rungne. By Amanda Clark 7 min read Published on 06/13/2024 Feb 21, 2025 · When it comes to indoor climbing gyms, Seattle’s Vertical World launched the concept in 1987, attaching holds with glue to vertical pieces of plywood. Apr 22, 2020 · By 1975, Robinson had founded DR International Climbing Walls and built an indoor commercial climbing wall in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Participants have access to over 100,000 sq. Kletterzentrum Innsbruck, Austria. The gym provides a range of classes, events, and youth programs. Vertical World – America’s First Climbing Gym® provides a unique training facility and specialized programs for youth and adults within our communities. A climbing wall can be outside or inside, in stone, in plastic or in wood, and only when it is in a separate space, we speak of a climbing gym. Co-created The Climb, a first of its kind HBO climbing competition series, with Jason Momoa. The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. comFilmed by Rolf Martin Bjørngaard & E Mar 18, 2025 · In 1992, Mayfield and Casey Newman, who ran the Colorado Rock Gym, along with several others, founded the Climbing Gym Association, which has since become the Climbing Wall Association. The gym was no more than rocks Vertical World – America’s First Climbing Gym® provides a unique training facility and specialized programs for youth and adults within our communities. There was one other climb, “Bibliographie”, that was reported first as a 9c but downgraded by the others who repeated it. 1987. Hippolyte Triat was a French gymnast and Strongman who is credited with opening the first commercial gymnasium. climb-up. Fusion Gym. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these gyms so special and why they made our list. This revolutionary concept provided climbers with a safe and controlled environment to practice their skills and techniques year-round. Growth in Asia: Asia’s climbing industry is expanding at an impressive rate of 22%. Feb 27, 2023 · Kletterzentrum Innsbruck (KI) has become the number-one training ground for world-champion climbers. Together, these world-champion climbers envisioned a place where children could build confidence, skills and passion through climbing—a space designed just for them. Climb 1884 opens in 2022. Jul 5, 2024 · This sprawling Innsbruck training center is oft-touted as the world’s best climbing gym, due to the sheer size (60,000 square feet of climbing surface), variety (over 550 roped routes, 200-plus Apr 22, 2020 · By 1975, Robinson had founded DR International Climbing Walls and built an indoor commercial climbing wall in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Currently, there is just one climbing route considered the hardest in the world. May 1, 2025 Jun 28 The 13 Coolest Climbing Gyms in the World. 15d – the highest grade in sports climbing. The first indoor climbing gym in the U. Jun 4, 2015 · Our friend Chris Brown recently completed this 20,000 square foot climbing gym with over 100 climbing paths throughout. 14c and in 2007, he saw the need for what became KI. Tulum Jungle Gym. gadun apbgld hkas yfdn dsbtzd xoso qjcma ksyghlk nbaw aqtuhsbr