| Mon | 09:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Tue | 09:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Wed | 09:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Thu | 09:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Fri | 09:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Sat | 09:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Sun | 09:00 am - 06:00 pm |
This gym has a culture of disproportionate viewpoints that is promulgated across its customers on large bulletins and leads to employees pinning their political opinions against climbers that "seem" to have views misaligned with the owners'. They claim to have a policy of inclusivity, yet do not. Their managers will even threaten to kick you out of the gym, if you seem to be expressive of a different point of view on topics, misaligned with their own. The weak leadership leads to unprofessional conduct, which in unfortunate, although isolated, situations leads will lead to climbers being attacked. While this place seems like a regular climbing gym, you may very well feel marginalized bullied here, and with an indifference from management and even the owner of the gym.
The holds are always grimy, dirty, typically "gunked" with black rubber, sweat and chalk cake.
The climbers in this area seem mostly timid and don't like to be approached, but most of them seem like cool people.
I was a member at Boulders for about 5 months before I cancelled my membership. First, lead and top rope climbing is really no fun when the walls are the size of tall boulders. Second, the patrons were cliquey to a fault. I tried for 5 months to make friends with the folks who regularly climbed at the same time as I did with no luck. I'm not sure either of the first two issues I had were truly a fault of the gym. You work with the space you've got and can't choose your members. The main reason I cancelled was because I could only climb during "after-school" hours. They had some sort of after school program every day. From the hours of ~4-8pm the gym was so crowded. I'm talking dozens of kids who don't respect personal space (I mean, which kid does)? They prioritized the kids programs at the expense of their other members. I think they should limit kids' programs to a few days of the week.
Reallly friendly and helpful staff. Great routes and a variety of bouldering options available. Can't wait for a west side location!
My daughter loves going here. The staff is super friendly and helpful too! Would def recommend.
I really wish I could rate my new home gym better. The staff is nice and the routes are pretty good (though often the starts are weirdly awkward compared to the rest of the route). The issue I can't fault anyone for too much is that it's simply a short, close-quarters gym. It's older, so this is understandable, however it doesn't make for great training or as fun climbs. I've tried recruiting people for some sport climbing, but despite the good number of routes with draws, the short height doesn't make for enticing sport climbing.
The other main issue is that every weekday evening feels like the gym is at least half an after-school program (which is sort of the case). There are several youth programs that span the week, and combined with the lack of spaciousness it can get very distracting. It's probably a good, consistent money-maker, so I can understand the motivation. As an adult climber it's disappointing that they seem to have chosen to really prioritize youth programs.
Add to all that the member pricing is inflated due to real estate pricing of the downtown bouldering gym--even if you're only interested in a roped gym. It's the only public roped gym in town, though, so unfortunately there aren't alternatives to balance it out.
Never thought I'd like rock climbing. Very fun place. Dont miss out!
Never thought I'd like rock climbing. Very fun place. Dont miss out!
I love climbing there . The prices are great they help me get my muscles stronger there saftey matters I am so glad that the nobs
aren't spinning
Great place with excellent routes. As a new climber the staff and other members are extremely friendly and helpful. The only downside is this place is known to be awesome and so certain days are busy and crowded. They are building a new gym which I hope helps this.
Great place with excellent routes. As a new climber the staff and other members are extremely friendly and helpful. The only downside is this place is known to be awesome and so certain days are busy and crowded. They are building a new gym which I hope helps this.
Wonderful staff, great climbing options for both top-rope and bouldering, they put up fun routes of all levels. Can get REALLY crowded though...
I had a lot of fun at Boulders and they have a variety of routes, but the place needs some upgrades. The holds are very old and worn, so even positive holds become hard to grip. Their top rope/lead climbing is very short and is almost high ball bouldering. They do give you rope to lead with, which is very convenient. Overall is a great place to train for outdoors, but needs some improvements.
I had a lot of fun at Boulders and they have a variety of routes, but the place needs some upgrades. The holds are very old and worn, so even positive holds become hard to grip. Their top rope/lead climbing is very short and is almost high ball bouldering. They do give you rope to lead with, which is very convenient. Overall is a great place to train for outdoors, but needs some improvements.
We love going to Boulders. The atmosphere is friendly and energetic, and the routes are changed regularly.
This is an excellent climbing gym. I am by no means a professional climber but it does not take a professional to know a good place when you see it. Lots of different walls with many different courses to climb. Lots of free climbing. The place is kept very clean. The staff is always nothing but helpful and are great at dealing with groups of young people, most of which had not done much rock climbing before. They run great daily specials. If you are at all interested in indoor rock climbing you should come here.
This is an excellent climbing gym. I am by no means a professional climber but it does not take a professional to know a good place when you see it. Lots of different walls with many different courses to climb. Lots of free climbing. The place is kept very clean. The staff is always nothing but helpful and are great at dealing with groups of young people, most of which had not done much rock climbing before. They run great daily specials. If you are at all interested in indoor rock climbing you should come here.
Really helpful. I felt like an idiot and they made me feel welcomed. Thanks !
Too my 6 year old bouldering. Nice facilities, very friendly staff. We will be back!
Excellent place to build your confidence! Staff is full of knowledge. My 10yr son enjoyed the challenges.
Great climbing gym with plenty of bouldering options and a wonderful staff. The gym itself if fairly small so it can get crowded during peak times.
Love stopping here while in madison to get my climb on. Great new training facility. Boulder problems are harder then other places i go to but thats all good. Gotta get a but whoopin every now and again. I wish they would get softer pads under the main bouldering area because the pads are hard and not fun to fall onto. Smells like feet....really rancid feet. Maybe get some febreeze.
THE GOOD: Route setting is high quality. They always have new routes going up for roped climbs and new boulder problems. They have equipment that is in good shape with new ropes getting installed pretty regularly and a nice mix of holds. Their staff is friendly and helpful. The weight room has everything I need.
THE BAD: The gym gets really crowded in the early evenings with large after school groups of youngsters and the after work crowd. They don't open early enough for me to go before work. They could vacuum and sweep more. (+1 star for fixing any one of these)
OVERALL: Boulders is good and improving. They recently added extra storage cubbies for shoes and bags, got all new rental shoes, new paper towel and soap dispensers in the bathrooms etc.
Edit: I think it's an awesome thing that I can climb year-round at Boulders. If not for them I would go crazy.
Edit 04/23/18: I'm adding another star because Boulders added more climbing space in the training room and really stepped up their game on the training equipment, weights, and flooring. Now if only they could make the building bigger.
THE GOOD: Route setting is high quality. They always have new routes going up for roped climbs and new boulder problems. They have equipment that is in good shape with new ropes getting installed pretty regularly and a nice mix of holds. Their staff is friendly and helpful. The weight room has everything I need.
THE BAD: The gym gets really crowded in the early evenings with large after school groups of youngsters and the after work crowd. They don't open early enough for me to go before work. They could vacuum and sweep more. (+1 star for fixing any one of these)
OVERALL: Boulders is good and improving. They recently added extra storage cubbies for shoes and bags, got all new rental shoes, new paper towel and soap dispensers in the bathrooms etc.
Edit: I think it's an awesome thing that I can climb year-round at Boulders. If not for them I would go crazy.
Edit 04/23/18: I'm adding another star because Boulders added more climbing space in the training room and really stepped up their game on the training equipment, weights, and flooring. Now if only they could make the building bigger.
This place holds so many of our great memories. We love the staff, the climbs and the atmosphere!
This place holds sho many of our great memories. We love the staff, the climbs and the atmosphere!
Great indoor climbing gym!!!! It is nice to have a place to climb year round. Very well organized with easy to very challenging toprope climbs. Also a fantastic bouldering section.
It is good place although you need partner to pull the rope.
Best climbing gym in Madison with really friendly staff. I had my first bouldering experience their earliest this week and I can honestly say it changed my life! I'll be back V4 you know it!
Helpful staff, nice local indoor climbing space. Routes changed with okay frequency. Frequently crowded. Good program for teens.
I think this is a fine place for what it is. As the name implies, it's really more for bouldering, as the walls aren't that high - maybe 20'. It's funny to think about lead climbing here at all, but I suppose it's a good place to learn. There are a lot of kids and many birthday parties. The holds aren't super clean and the whole place could use a face lift and an increase in vertical space. I had high hopes for a nice gym in Madison, but this isn't it. It'll do and it's a good place to learn if you're starting out.
Boulders is a great place for people to practice and have fun climbing the walls. The walls have many different difficult and easy routes to climb. Overall I think this is an amazing place.
Bouldering routes seem to be graded a bit harder than what I'm used to. Maybe it is just a different style - lots of dynamic/big moves. Also, since the ceiling isn't that high, the routes seem to be about 75% crux. Not a huge place, but I didn't have to wait to climb for the most part. Seems like a fun place overall if you are looking to get in some bouldering.
Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. Despite the short routes, the settings are creative and fun. It's just really busy a lot of the time and this city needs a new climbing gym.
Fun. Friendly. Beginner to pro. Lots of fun.
From a beginners perspective this place was great, only thing keeping it form 5 stars is the fact they have open cubbies instead of lockers available
Can I give 0 stars?
After climbing in Boulder, Colorado for years, climbing in this gym was pretty horrendous. The best way to describe the gym is that someone read an article about climbing gyms in men's journal, and called up their friend to build a gym and told him what to build, only they had a poor connection. The I normally can pull about a V5 outdoors after a couple tries, but here the route setting was so inconsistent that I flashed a V8 and couldn't pull a V3. I would recommend that the staff use some of the money they save renting out dated equipment, to take a trip outdoors and learn a few things. Don't even get me started on their top rope belay system. Some day, some time, someone is going to inadvertently die because of the bad habits learned at this establishment.
If you are a serious climber and need to train, I would recommend that you pay someone $20 to hang off their door frame, rather than go here.
Bouldering routes seem to be graded a bit harder than what I'm used to. Maybe it is just a different style - lots of dynamic/big moves. Also, since the ceiling isn't that high, the routes seem to be about 75% crux. Not a huge place, but I didn't have to wait to climb for the most part. Seems like a fun place overall if you are looking to get in some bouldering.
