Eager to keep members motivated to come to the gym every day? Prevent clients from getting bored with their daily workout routines by providing them with options for unique workouts.
Rock climbing is an alternative that allows members to push their bodies’ physical limits, as well as challenge their problem-solving skills. Capitalize on the fact that in one session members are maximizing their workout, as climbing seamlessly combines strength, balance, flexibility and endurance.
“You are going to increase your pull muscles,” said Keith Geraghty, the director of climbing programs at the Chicago Athletic Clubs. “You have to use your shoulders, back and biceps to pull yourself up the wall. Outside of that, there is certainly balance and core. People will change their lifestyles for climbing.”
The climbing wall at Chicago Athletic Club’s Lincoln Park location beckons members before they even enter the facility. Placed on one of the building’s exterior walls, passers-by can watch as clients scale up and down the 40 to 65-foot wall.
Whether members are experienced climbers or new to the sport, Chicago Athletic Club — featuring climbing walls at three of its seven locations — has a program to accommodate. Even the entire family can get involved with specific times scheduled for family climb and kids climb.
“The owner of the club saw [people climbing walls] at a workshop or outdoor retailer and really liked it and thought it would compliment a health club in a really interesting workout way,” said Geraghty. “It’s a nice thing to distinguish club A from club B when most clubs have treadmills and free weights, but to be able to add in something unique is pretty valuable.”
There is nothing like the lore of torching calories to entice clients into trying a new workout. Inform members that a one-hour climbing session can burn over 700 calories, and everyone will be throwing on harnesses and lining up to scale the wall.
Rock climbing provides participants with much more than just a good workout. “The whole community aspect of climbing is something else that separates it from a lot of typical things that people do at a health club,” said Geraghty. “With climbing you are not putting on an iPod and lifting weights and not talking to anyone the whole time. You have to interact with other people.”
From a membership standpoint, according to Carrie Speicher, a corporate membership advisor at Chicago Athletic Clubs, the climbing walls have also affected membership retention rates. “They have created a special community inside of our clubs where I think the longevity of the member has increased,” she said.
However, there are a few factors to consider before deciding whether a climbing wall is right for your facility, such as space, time, cost and design.
This first step is to determine what type of climbing wall is perfect for your gym. “There are different types of climbing walls,” said Shad Burnham, the director of sales at Vertical Solutions, a climbing wall manufacturing company. “There are bouldering walls, which is unroped climbing over pads. Then you have two different types of roped walls. You have pure top roping, which is where the rope is already set up at the top and it is geared more towards newer climbers. Then you have lead climbing walls, which simulates outdoor climbing better and you’re clipping the ropes as you go.”
Once the design is finalized it is time to decide on size. Burnham explained in order for the wall to be worth the gym’s time it needs to be at least 1,000 square feet for a bouldering wall and 2,000 square feet for a basic roped wall.
For many gym owners, the number-one factor in deciding whether or not to install a climbing wall in their facility comes down to price. “It’s a good idea to budget about $35 to $45 a square foot for your climbing wall,” said Burnham. “Another $20 to $30 for your flooring system and about $5 per square foot for your climbing holds.”
While the process of installing a rock climbing wall can seem daunting, it seems that everyone, from those building climbing walls, to those using them, can’t stop raving about the benefits of climbing.
“Climbing is pretty unique because people can go and be a part of the community, they get this awesome workout and three hours later they have forgotten what time it is,” said Burnham.
By Emily Harbourne
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
