Cleveland Rock Gym

I’ll revise my prior review due to the fact that the management seems to know how to tactfully approach a problem, unlike a handful of his staff. As for the facility, it makes for some interesting climbs and seems to be a good place to stay conditioned during those cold months.

Sweet rock gym, I like that they seem to constantly be updating the routes now! It’s a bit dirtier and hotter (no ac) than Kendall, but it’s got more wall space and I love the bouldering cave.
The staff can sometimes be a little over severe on making sure you don’t teach someone the basics of belaying, I got berated one time for showing my friend how to tie the knot, but I’ve been here a lot of times and other than that the staff is Friendly and helpful, as are the regular climbers

CRG is great! Went for the first time this past Wednesday and it was cookout night! The customers and staff are very friendly and helpful! Can’t wait to go again!

Very poor experience.
Bad location. Difficult to find, sketchy area, unattractive building.
Decent pricing. Day passes are average cost. Costs to get belay certified, most places are free.
Poor climbing conditions. Few beginner routes. Majority is advanced top rope climbing. Few lead routes.
Very very poor customer service.*** I have found that many establishments have a wonderful, hospitable staff. CRG is NOT one of them. The employees there were condescending and rude. I did not feel as though I could ask them questions, or for help.
For better climbing, go to some spots around Akron.

good industrial feeling
great, helpful staff — very interesting atmosphere — combination of postindustrial design with climbing gym — will come again

I love this gym, and believe that this is by far not only the best workout I can get for the time I spend, but it is the best place to go for a great workout. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and helpful, and there is quite a lot to do if going to the gym solo or with a belay partner (to climb the larger walls).
I have yet to meet someone who is not willing to help out a beginner! The skill levels at this gym go from beginner to over experienced outdoor climber, casual to those training for competition, families climbing during a birthday party or friends hanging out together.
I am not sure what the gym was, but I am extremely happy with the environment that I find it currently is. I go three times a week and work various muscle groups (depending on which part if my body is still strong enough to climb) and never find myself getting bored. Wall routes change frequent enough and since I have been there it is in constant improvement, adding a new area, fans and extra workout walls. If you get a chance, go with a friend and a belay class, it is what I did and a great way into what the sport entails.

The CRG was sold within the last few years, and the new owners are making some serious modifications and improvements. They’ve done some much-​needed maintenance, and now are working on majorly expanding the bouldering areas of the gym.
We’ve been going ~weekly for over a month now after a 3-​year gap, and I love what they’re doing with the space. The level of energy and enthusiasm is really great to see, and I can’t wait to see how the new areas come out. I was glad to see that they kept the couches and tables — I tend to hang out all day and let my hands recuperate between routes, so that’s always been one of my favorite perks.
It is a little tricky to find the first time you go, but there is a youtube video on the site, and Google maps has the business’ location correct, if not exactly the street address. There’s a white sign with a pointed top for an auto body/​collision shop — turn into the drive to the right of that and just keep going back.

Went for our first time a couple weeks ago. A friend and I wanted to try indoor climbing just for the hell of it, and we’re so glad we did. The staff is SUPER-​friendly and helpful! No joke, when you walk in, it’s so easy to be intimidated by all the super-​ripped climbers just scaling up and down the walls in their awesome shoes and techniques, etc. But the staff made us feel totally at home and explained that everyone on the walls has been in our shoes before. They seemed excited for us and genuinely passionate about climbing, and I think that’s what made me cross the line from scared to safe and excited.
I don’t have any other climbing experience to compare this to, so I don’t know if they’re overpriced or not.
Re: finding the place — they have a cool youtube video on the website that starts 2 minutes out from their location. After watching it, I didn’t have any problems at all finding it.
We’ve only done it once, but have made a commitment to go back again next week and hope to do it regularly. I doubt I’ll ever attempt anything difficult, just doing the easy stuff is exhilirating enough. :)
Tips: Wear layers. Bring water. Bring slip-​on shoes to wear when you’re not actively climbing. Call at least a week in advance if you need a belayer. Take the beginner’s class. Trust your belayer, and fall, and fall early so you get over that fear and are able to reach new heights. Happy Climbing!

The review I posted was accurate for my last experience there (Fall 2010) but it took me a while to get around to reviewing the place. I don’t hate on the CRG, I just was not impressed by it. My comment about cost of the day pass related to value. I don’t mind paying if the gym is well maintained. Don’t take it personally if someone points out their perspective and has some criticism to share.
Glad to hear they’re taking care of the dirt and dust/​holds/​temperature issues. I have also heard from friends that the gym has changed ownership recently, and that new walls are being put up.

Okay, I’ve never been to a Climbing Gym before, so this was a first for me. My wife wanted to go for her birthday, and I thought, heck, let’s give it a try.
I saw my wife climb a 30 ft wall, and I actually got a up a 22 footer myself. We and two of our friends had a great time.
Now, the pluses. Friendly staff, lots of walls of varying types, from the basic beginner boulder-​type wall, to various sheer inclines, overhangs, and different walls varying in intensity and difficulty. Chris and his guys were super-​supportive and helpful, and overall, that was very positive.
On the down side, the gym’s a little bit hard to find. It’s in an old warehouse complex that used to be a steel processing plant off of old St. Clair in Euclid. You have to go around back of the place and there’s very little signage, so you might have to look. Also, the place is a little dusty and shopworn, BUT, to me, that only enhances the feel that this place is SERIOUS. We saw people practicing free-​climbing and working on their strength training, and the place is not for the wimpy.
In addition, the equipment, while safe, is a bit shopworn; again, you’d expect this from a place that does a lot of business.
Overall, I think that this place is grand; it’s simple, to the point, and what’s more, for a guy like me, it helped me get past a bit of my fear of heights, and that’s worth it all.
The prices aren’t terrible, and include shoes, helmet and harness, and they’re constantly trying to improve the place.
All in all, if you want a work out and an experience that helps you «scale new heights», the Cleveland Rock Gym will get you to hit the wall, and then get OVER it.

The Cleveland Rock Gym does a nice job of balancing opportunities for beginners and rock rats. The routes are varied, and the staff and clientele are very friendly, and happy to teach.
I can relate to the many complaints in other posts: the chalky air, the odd location (good luck finding it on the first pass), the expense. But when I’m there, I really don’t notice that so much. I’m usually just having a blast climbing.

It is the only gym in Cleveland, so it’s got a monopoly. Unless you’re willing to truck it down to Kendall Cliffs all the time, it’s your only choice.
It is in an old warehouse. I’m totally OK with it being dirty, mostly because climbing is a dirty sport, what with all the sweat, blood, chalk, and horrible paste that those three often form. People could complain about the location, given that it is behind a warehouse near an auto wrecking yard and the parking lot looks like someone was dropping mortar rounds on it, but to me, it adds to the aura of the place. It’s climbing, and nothing else.
The prices are a bit high, which results in me not going as often as I’d like, but given how bad they’re probably getting slammed for insurance, I can understand that. I especially appreciate that the people they have working there don’t try to sell me shoes, harnesses, and gear I won’t need. While sales of stuff like that could help them keep their prices lower, it raises the question of what the business is really there for; moving products or letting people climb.
Is it beginner-​friendly? For the most part, yes. There are some easier routes, and they’re not all on one section of the wall. A novice or even first-​time climber won’t get bored. Make sure to be aware of climbing wall etiquette/​common sense.

Although I’d like to think that I’m relatively physically fit and dexterous, my previous experience with climbing had been watching American Gladiators [featuring the wall ] re-​runs as a kid. I went for the first climbing time a couple weekends ago at the Cleveland Rock Gym.
As the picture shows, the gym is inside a former industrial warehouse discretely located on St. Clair, behind another industrial warehouse, just continue the driveway next to the sign.
There are several [at least 10] climbing walls [30 feet high] each with numerous routes. I spent over 3 hours here and definitely did not try all of them. Additionally, the routes change every few months. Some routes were more challenging than others. There’s also a few bouldering walls, which are no more than 20 feet off the ground, on these, you climb without a harness and thick soft cushions break your fall like you’re in a ball pit.
It’s not very cheap, $ 20 for your first time, which includes all of your equipment [harness, climbing shoes, belay device] needed to climb, and an experienced person on hand to show you the basics. There are more economical monthly and multiple visit passes. For the experienced with their own equipment, it’s $ 12.
The atmosphere was relatively friendly although I may be biased, I went with a couple of friends who are regulars there. Strangers and friends were cheering each other on as they struggled with at particular points in their climbs. Although I only went once and have talked about the experience with friends, I sense there’s a friendly climbing subculture. There’s also a couple picnic tables on hand and you can bring in your own food/​drink if you want.
Clothing-​wise, I wore work out clothes and my more experienced friend said to wear layers as the temps can change there.
During my only visit, the place was neither dead nor very busy. I never had to wait more than 10 – 15 minutes to climb [and you want a break anyways in between climbs], with people of all ages 10 to 40 and different levels of experience.
Eric, the owner, was very friendly and answered all of my questions. If you’re new to it and would like to try, he recommended to call ahead for a date about a week or two in advance, so there’s enough belayers [people who will help you out, hold your rope as you ascend] on hand.
For the uninitiated, climbing was fun, physically strenuous, and even requires a bit of mentally stimulating as you strategize your next moves as you go up the wall. It’s also a good group activity as well (and the group pricing knocked the price down a bit).
I’m very glad that I tried it out, although it didn’t end up my favorite activity to do, it was fun and would recommend it if you’re looking for a new physical hobby, even if it’s not the cheapest one out there. As far as I know, it’s the only place to [legally] do it in Northeast Ohio besides Whipps Ledges which is outdoors.
I’d give it a 3.75, so I’ll be generous and round up to 4.