Sacramento Pipeworks

I am reviewing this as a first timer who has never rock climbed at a place like this before. The staff was friendly enough but not too inviting. I went with 3 other people none of which have been there before and we told them it was our first time and all they did was take our money and get us shoes. They explained nothing. We did the bouldering because we didn’t want to spend the extra money to take an hour class to learn how to do the ropes. When we first get in we were looking around (what I would normally do being somewhere for the first time) Towards the back there is a workout space and we go in to look at it because it looked pretty cool and right away we get a stern talking to. He didn’t yell but was pretty rude, I guess they have classes in there and you’re not supposed to go in there. We did not know that and we were not being loud or disruptive there was no reason for him to be so rude about it. Right away me and another one from our group gets turned off from the place. We had no instruction and within 5 minutes we get in trouble so for the rest of our time there I couldn’t really enjoy myself because I thought I was going to do something wrong and get «talked to again» As for the climbing it took us a minute to figure out all the colors and numbers. It would have been a lot easier if someone would have explained us the rules and which walls to climb. This place is pretty pricey, we paid $ 15 to climb and $ 4 for shoes and that was discounted, I definitely expected a better experience. We ended up having a good time because a friend of ours met us there and was able to explain everything to us. Without him coming this probably would have been rated a one. An introduction to the place when we paid could have made it a great experience, but that is not the way it went. This might be a great place for people who climb all the time, but it did not feel welcoming to new comers.

I love this place so much. The boulder room is fantastic– spacious, creative routes, and beautifully laid out. I spend hours in that room. The top rope and lead walls are also super fun and beautifully done. So many routes! Did I mention I love this place?

I guess it’s time for me to review Pipeworks, co soldering I’ve been here enough.
I’m not overly athletic but my partner is. I preface that because o recognize its daunting getting into something like climbing. Im fortunate enough to have my parent show me the ropes, but if you aren’t in a similar situation don’t fret :) Pipeworks has all the resources that you’ll need.
I’ve not been to many climbing facilities but I hear a lot of commentary of it via my partner, who used to work at one in another state, and has frequented many all over the country. He speaks highly of Pipeworks and I (who has been in clinging gyms in 3 states now) have to concur that this place is pretty great. They offer route and bouldering, which is cool. In addition to that they offer many classes (such as jujitsu, yoga, and more) as well as regular olé gym equipment and crossfire resources. *I would like to take this as an opportunity to inform you that there’s no heater or AC should the conditions benefit from it. They do have what I presume to be swamp coolers. So heed my word, conditions might be COLD or HOT* They have many helpful staff members as well as offered courses that will help get you up to speed if you don’t have someone to show you the ropes. Don’t be shy. This place has it going on!

Totally enjoy this place! I love the employees they are very customer service oriented and have noticed that they all like to say hi and bye.
The gym is filled with rock climbing routes (both bouldering and top roping). In addition to climbing they have a nice gym and tons of cardio equipment.
Pipeworks also provides yoga, cross fit, and a few other activities to keep the extreme active life changing. They also provide classes on how to climb and improve your current climbing skills which can come in handy later on.
Aside from this they also have a nice small sauna and contain showers which look pretty clean and decent. Lockers are also available to store your valuables while you trek a few hours at this gym.
The only drawback is that there are sooooo many homeless people in that neighborhood. It’s like a scene out of the walking dead on the side street. There is however an entrance at 16^th which is nice to have. You can bypass all of the homeless this way. It is a little above downtown sac which is also convenient!

Best touchstone climbing gym I’ve been to so far. Mats are so clean and the routes are great. Bathrooms are nice and the showers include nice amenities for the women. Employees are so sweet especially Ryan! The bouldering section is the best. Also love the dogs I see there!

This place is awesome. I don’t have a membership here but my daughter has, so once a month she can bring in a friend or dad so we can climb together. I’m not the best climber and I can only last about an hour at the bouldering area. After that I go to the weight training gym to go lift. The lifting area is pretty cool too. It has enough machines and free weights to get a good workout in. They also have lots of cardio equipment but I don’t do cardio cuz I hate it. The other side of the warehouse has crossfit as well if your into that. If you don’t have a membership it cost $ 20 to get in.

Awesome climbing Gym. Spacious and with a lot of variety.

This place is huge! My home climbing gyms are Mission Cliffs and Dogpatch Boulders. I’ve always wanted to visit Pipeworks because I’m from Sacramento, and I will definitely be going back more often. The staff members and facilities are nice.
I think it was a special week when I went because most of the routes were faded (seemingly have not been changed in forever) and the staff was putting up new routes for a competition so half the bouldering area was unavailable. There are so many different components to Pipeworks, though. In addition to the vast and spacious top roping and bouldering areas, there are tons of open workout areas, with and without gym equipment. Another cool gym in the Touchstone family!

Pipeworks is bigger than I thought, it has nice climbing walls. The lady at the front table is very nice to me. We rent equipments there. It has various wall and is label with difficulty levels. So I had a great experience there.

I’m biased, I’m a Touchstone member and junkie. Whenever I go to a city that has a Touchstone gym, I maximize my membership and make it a point to go to that gym. Look, all of the Touchstone climbing gyms are great. Pipeworks is definitely a bit greater in that it has lots of ropes AND lots of bouldering. You Sacramento folks have it good! If I lived in Sacramento, Pipeworks would definitely consume a good part of my free time.

Have I not written a review for Pipeworks? That doesn’t seem likely… I’ve been going for about two years.
In those two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know the staff. They are a great group of people and seem to enjoy working there. They’re never rude or in a bad mood. The head guy’s cool dude. He gave me free beer and food. I got a little carried away there. Anyway…
Pipeworks has a wide variety of classes and equipment. It has classes in yoga, spinning, climbing, and cross-​fit. Their equipment includes bikes, weights, stair climbers, slack lines… Most of all, the place has TONS of climbing walls. If that’s your sport, this is your gym!
You can even bring your dog! Nobody will make a fuss. It’s a laid back, dog-​loving, no worries kind of crowd here. Man this gym is cool!

Great rock climbing gym in the downtown Sacramento area. I come down here where I am in downtown other than that I don’t really make special trips to pipeworks. The staff is very nice and helpful Jason has been there a while and has always helped me when I come down there and he even has some of his artwork displayed around the gym. Don’t forget to pass your belay test. Climb on

Great place! Gym is available and yoga even!
Just wish they would charge by the hour instead of $ 26 for a day pass … A little too pricey. I could only stay for an hour and if I would’ve went by myself I wouldn’t have known what to do. It was a fun experience and a little scary. Definitely a good workout!

Pipeworks is pretty awesome. The first time I came here, I stayed only in the top roping section. The second time I came here, I was amazed at how much bouldering they have to offer. I think this gym shines with their extensive bouldering, cushiony padding, and opportunities to top out on most routes. I’ve been here three times now. From what I can tell, the routes change pretty frequently. I would say that compared to other rock climbing gyms, they rate their top roping routes much more generously. It’s kind of a good thing for beginners, because they can build up confidence right from the start!
My only qualm about Pipeworks was some weird vibes I got from one of the workers. I’ve been climbing for 8 months now (at other gyms). On my third trip here, my friend told me that we could get a belay card so that we won’t have to belay test every time we visit. This particular worker who tested me wouldn’t give me a card despite my smooth and correct belaying and climbing setups because I didn’t verbalize certain safety checks like «double-​backing» my buckle on my harness, when my harness has the automatic mechanism. I know it’s probably part of their policy, but I was really really peeved by this!
Also strange is that they don’t test people on using the proper terminology for climbing. I train my friends who come here to use the phrases «on belay,» «climbing,» and «take.» Safe climbing is all about communication. If the person on the ground doesn’t know what take means, then the climber is surely in danger! Ah!
I’m sure I will come back, but I will just hope for a different belay tester next time!

THEY TEACH UNSAFE BELAY PRACTICES!
The technique they teach leaves a gap where the climber side of the rope and brake side of the rope are in one hand and the brake side isn’t down in a brake position as you are taking slack in the rope. VERY UNSAFE. A climber could fall during this time and cause the new belayer to panic and not transition the brake hand down. And instead grab both the ropes together leaving the ATC (the part that is the brake) useless.
I WOULD NEVER LET ANYONE BELAY ME LIKE THIS…
FIRST TIMERS BE WARNED. They need to change this immediately!
This is the proper way to belay someone.
IT IS CALLED PBUS BELAY, If the link is broken.
It is recognized by AMGA (a well respected training organization for climbers and mountain guides) as the safest way to belay. Because 90% of the time your hands will be in brake position.
Besides all this, they have an amazing facility. I hope this catches there attention, I’d hate to see someone get hurt over something that is preventable.

This place is nice inside but there is just to much going on. I feel it’s not about the climbing but money and how big the place can be. The price is very expensive compared to other climbing locations. This is my person opinion but for people like me who likes a smaller more personal style businesses this is not for you.

I went to the new bouldering area and it was fantastic. It had been a few years since I climbed last but when I did I climbed 5 days a week.
This time I was able to attack every V0 and some V1s and even attempted a V2. Getting back on the wall was wonderful and I can’t wait to go back. I have even been tempted to get a monthly pass because the downside is it’s pretty expensive to go on a regular basis.
A day pass without equipment is $ 20 and I don’t know what shoes and a harness cost. Though $ 20 is a good chunk of change it’s really worth it if you stay a while. That is what I love about rock climbing is you can feel comfortable climbing a few routes then taking a break to socialize. So I could see myself and my wife hanging out for a few hours IF we could find a friend to hang out with our son for a while.
That is probably my dilemma, paying for two people to climb and then finding a baby sitter. Now it turns into a $ 60 to $ 80 day.
Regardless of my situation this place is on point.

The new Boulder area is HERE!!! We just climbed it tonight! It’s SO FUN! Pipeworks is now the largest climbing gym in California! The walls are higher and incredible for smearing. The holds are fantastic. The routes are a BLAST! My son and I just spent three hours there tonight!
I love the new top out wall where you climb to the top and walk down the back side. There routes are placed for all levels in mind. The new floors are Über thick and springy. So cool! Can’t wait to for the last part of it to be completed: a huge crack wall to be done by the end of this week. :-)
Can’t wait to go back tomorrow morning!

If I thought Stone Garden was scary, this place made me squeal with both excitement and anxiety. A group of friends and I went and were astounded by the massive 40 foot rock walls. Pipeworks has 11,000 square feet of climbing terrain, 2,000 square feet of bouldering, and over 70 top rope and lead climbs. Did I mention there was a full-​fledge gym with classes in the back and a lounge area? Honestly, this sounds like the best after school or post work location to be. If I lived in Sacramento, I would request to live near Pipeworks. In a city as flat and wide as Sacramento, they can afford to have this much space for climbing lovers.
Each wall has about one or two beginner-​amateur routes and then the rest go straight for the gold. The walls do not look real, but they’re structured in ways that real rocks are formed, lined with edges and jutting rocks to climb around. Owned by Touchstone Climbing Incorporated, this gym has a route setting team who rotate and ensure there are new routes every 2 – 12 weeks. If you love climbing and endeavoring to more challenges, Pipeworks creates that for it’s climbers. Most of the staff have been climbing for over 8 years and are very knowledgeable and passionate about climbing.
If you haven’t climbed and you either live in or are traveling to Sacramento, I highly recommend Pipeworks. Price for renting gear and climbing for a day is really affordable and you can always take your time if you’re new. So far my one of my favorite places in Sacramento and surely a place I would revisit.

A group of 5 came for my friends birthday and we had a wonderful time! I decided not to climb and was allowed in to take photos and observe. My 4 friends paid for climbing-​$ 18 each including harnesses and shoes. We arrived too late for a belay class but one in our group had past experience and was allowed to instruct us with a follow up test from a member of staff. Took a few minutes and they were off climbing.
The building is a wonderful old warehouse with a huge open area in the middle for climbing. There is also a free climb area, a free weight section, weight machine section, cardio section and many workout classes. The locker rooms were clean with showers and a sauna. I was tempted to buy a membership right then and there!
Great work parties, family events, or personal fitness!