VITAL Climbing Gym - Brooklyn Reviews Summary

Category: Rock climbing

Address: 221 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

Phone: +17162208195

Rating: 4.7
based on 174 reviews.

Facility and Location

Pros:

  • "A clean, modern, and bright climbing gym."
  • "The facility itself is really modern and in a great area."
  • "This is the hottest and newest gym in NYC. It's a no Brainer if you live in the neighborhood."
  • "For architecture and amenities this gym was outstanding."
  • "It’s like WeWork nice while being a legit climbing gym in an amazing location in Brooklyn."
  • "They also have the most spacious fitness area I’ve seen in a Rock Gym which is super nice for conditioning after a good climbing session."
  • "Great, clean facility."

Cons:

  • "Excellent place in a prime location… extremely overcrowded at any time of day."
  • "The very popular gym floor probably deserved a larger swath of real estate."
  • "Another thing that asks for improvement are the routes."
  • "It's very dirty. The Yoga studio was clean, but EVERY bathroom was out of paper towels or broken."
  • "I have to dock a star for the conspicuous absence of locker rooms."
  • "No free guest passes except on your birthday."
  • "Of course outside Boulders are not as good to grab, more slippery, than inside."

Staff and Service

Pros:

  • "Friendly staff."
  • "Super friendly staff."
  • "The staff is really friendly too."
  • "Moses was a great representative too! Very friendly and great service."
  • "The staff was friendly and knowledgeable too."
  • "The staff are amazing, very kind and helpful and overall great people."
  • "The employees are extremely kind and the atmosphere is very casual/fun."

Cons:

  • "Also many of the staff seemed aloof."
  • "Staff can be unfriendly and aren’t always knowledgeable."
  • "Their lack of knowledge was disappointing but frankly understandable - they aren’t medical experts."
  • "He was by far the most off-putting and arrogant person I’ve ever encountered at a climbing gym."
  • "Some of the employees just seem way too casual."
  • "Terrible costumer service. The front desk people are lazy, give you barely any information about the gym."
  • "One of the staff members was extremely passive aggressive to my friend."

Classes and Amenities

Pros:

  • "They also have a sauna."
  • "Route setting is phenomenally well done and accommodates folks of all anatomies and skill levels."
  • "So much to do here from bouldering to weights/cardio machines, yoga classes, indoor cycling classes, slack lining and meeting great people in a beautiful and clean environment."
  • "Vital climbing gym’s roof climb is very fun! On sunny days the view of the city and fresh air makes this a top climbing spot for me."
  • "There’s a bunch of lockers, a yoga studio, and a spin class room too!"
  • "They offer Yoga classes and spinning as well."
  • "They also have Ariel, yoga, and fitness classes available all help with climbing."

Cons:

  • "When Ariel Yoga is in session a portion of the floor is sectioned on."
  • "While it does say you get one class with the day pass, it’s pretty much a joke as even members (who can reserve classes in advance) have trouble getting in them."
  • "Booking classes is a frustrating experience. You need to book exactly 7 days in advance or you’re out of luck."
  • "The big downside would be the complete inability to actually book a class."
  • "Classes are always full."
  • "No top rope. If you really prefer top rope, this isn't the place for you."
  • "The roof bouldering was inexplicably closed, as was a portion of the main area due to an aerial silks class."

Price and Value

Pros:

  • "This gym is awesome! It’s huge and spacious with a ton of variety in the routes."
  • "Friendly staff, aesthetic gym, great food bar, and outdoor climbing area has amazing views of the city."
  • "It seems expensive but if you love climbing and have the chance to check out this gym, it'll be a legendary experience."
  • "The facilities are great (so much climbing and they reset often)."
  • "The training facility for climbing has everything a climber could need or want."
  • "Great bouldering-only climbing gym that has an expansive selection of bouldering routes on the first floor and outdoor climbing on the rooftop as well."
  • "In the 15 years I’ve been climbing and route setting this is easily one of the best bouldering gyms I’ve ever been to."

Cons:

  • "However, prices are absolutely OBSCENE (expect to pay $40 at minimum as a non-member)."
  • "No locker rooms (changing in filthy bathrooms is gross)."
  • "4 stars only because of lack of proper locker rooms."
  • "Even for New York City the entrance fee is a little too high I think, and they don't have changing rooms, everyone uses the restrooms."
  • "Pretty much a babysitting gym…they charge $2 for shower towels."
  • "At $35 for a day pass, it’s the most expensive climbing gym I’ve ever been to in the US or Europe, by like $10."
  • "By far the most expensive for the day pass too ($35 when I went)."

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