Guest post from Brandon Villatoro (The Travel Experta’s Son)
Every year we visit the US two times per year. But now with our training schedule for climbing, we have to keep up even when traveling. So when visiting our uncle in the DC area I looked for an indoor climbing gym to maintain our strict training program, and we found Earth Treks (now Movement) a Bouldering and lead climbing gym. But there are many climbing gyms in the Washington DC area, here’s a list of the best ones!
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Climbing Gyms in Washington, DC Area
Earth Treks (now Movement)
Earth Treks is broken up into several gyms, scattered on the bottom floor of a huge building. Inside, actually underground, when you enter the gym the first thing you see is the shop. The shop has a lot of different brands like Scarpa, La Sportiva, etc.
Right below the shop, even more underground, but taking up almost two floors, is a huge rope climbing area that has a very large lead cave. There are no auto belays so if you are planning on going climbing alone you would have to go bouldering or bring a climbing friend, or even better meet someone there to belay you, and you can do the same for them.
This is a great thing because it causes people to be more social and make friends because climbing is a very social sport.
The Bouldering area is super large, and it has a top-out section, slab, cave, overhang, and comp wall. The best part about the bouldering area, which is split into two sections, is that it is really modern so there are a lot of new holds and the new world cup climbing styles.
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Plus, there is a fitness area that is as big as a normal workout gym. So if you’re coming with someone who doesn’t climb, especially anyone under 18 who needs to have an adult, they can work out while you climb. Also, part of our training is to warm up on a treadmill, which we did there.
But it’s not only a regular gym style, it still has all you need for maximum climbing training with a large campus board and many hang-boards to train finger strength.
Earth Treks is a high-quality gym and the best part is that there are routes for every person from beginners to world cup competitors.
We had a great time spending 4-6 each day while staying with our uncle for 3 days.
Website: 1235 S CLARK ST ARLINGTON, VA 22202
Address: https://movementgyms.com/crystal-city/
D.C. Bouldering Project
The D.C Bouldering Project is more than a just climbing gym in DC, it’s a whole organization that provides an opportunity for all people to experience the joy of climbing, regardless of age, ability, or economic status ad not only climbing, through the years the gym has expanded and now include yoga and fitness.
They offer climbing classes to start, and the facilities have many boards, projects, and circuits with a variety of difficulties, the floors are padded, and the gym offers most of the amenities a climber needs.
The Bouldering Projects have many locations, if you enjoy traveling it may be worth it to check it out.
Website: https://boulderingproject.com/ (for information about projects and circuits), https://www.dcboulderingproject.com/ (D.C. Bouldering Project)
Address: 1611 Eckington Pl NE #150, Washington, D.C., 20002
Sportrock Climbing Center
One of the funding climbing gyms in the United States started operating in 1994. The gym offer classes, youth programs, and private instructors to fulfill your necessities. They count three locations, one in Sterling and two in Alexandria.
The Sportrock Performance Institute is one of the most recent facilities, it was inaugurated in 2020 and is one of the closest to Washington DC. The facilities have, 8500 sq ft of climbing and World Cup style bouldering walls, with a wide variety of projects and difficulties. Also, offers a support system in case anything happens
Website: https://www.sportrock.com/srpi (The Sportrock Performance Institute)
Address: 5314 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
Vertical Rock Climbing & Fitness Center
Vertical has grown into a nationally recognized organization with nice staff and a larger base of clients. It has become a hub for climbers and boulders, coming from Washington, DC, Arlington, Alexandria, and Sterling. They have two locations right now, Vertical Rock Tyson Corner and Vertical Rock Manassas.
The closest location to Washington DC is Tyson Corner, which is one of the newest facilities, recently finished but not open to the public yet. Have its own coffee shop called Basecamp Coffee Roasters. Offers 9,000 sq. ft. of built bouldering that includes a slab, cave, and arch. Not only that, they have 45-degree wall and a whole set of difficulties and projects, for rookies and pros.
You can head to VR Manassas meanwhile and have a great climbing experience with a great community.
Website: https://climb-va.com/
Address:
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Vertical Rock Manassas is located at 10225 NOKESVILLE RD, MANASSAS, VA 20110
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Tyson Corner (coming soon) is located at 8461-D Leesburg Pike Vienna VA 22182
ClimbZone Laurel
Have you ever wanted to climb a computer keyboard? Yes? Then this is the place for you! If you have kids and want to experience a different but fun climbing adventure or want to introduce your kids to climbing in a fun way, then ClimbZone Laurel will fulfill your desire.
This may not be the serious climbing gym professionals are looking for, but if you have kids it will suit you well. With more than 70 different themed climbing walls, like the Statue of Liberty and Mt. Rushmore, makes this kid’s climbing gym in Washington DC, is one of the most unique.
Website: https://www.climbzone.us/laurel/
Address: 13200 Mid Atlantic Boulevard – Suite 130 Laurel, MD 20708
Have you been to any of these indoor climbing gyms in Washington DC or any other of their locations? Let me know what you think of it.
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The post 5 Best Climbing Gyms in Washington DC Area and Around appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: 5 Best Climbing Gyms in Washington DC Area and Around
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/washington-dc-climbing-gyms/
Published Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:12:17 +0000
