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caligrrl
Feb 21, 2004, 6:56 AM
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Hey guys!!
Okay...I think it's about time for my hiatus to be done with...
I was thinking of joining LA Rock Gym until the weather warms, and I have more time for weekend excursions. Anyone else a member there? Any details on if they are offering other things like Yoga yet?
I know Rockreation is "the place" to go, but I live in the South Bay and it is really close.
Any details would be MUCH appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
:) Cali
p.s. Shout out to the homies!! Get me out climbing again! hasbeen! sarahmonster! mauriceb!
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kalcario
Feb 21, 2004, 7:11 AM
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Beach City Rocks (formerly LA Rock Gym) is the better facility, but practically no climbers go there, as they have taken the low road and cater mostly to kids. If you're looking to meet people to go outside with, go to Rockreation. I live across the street from BCR and I never go there...
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baja_java
Feb 21, 2004, 3:14 PM
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i go there once in a full moon. all i know is they still have that 10 visits for price of 8 or 9 thing. haven't seen people doing a yoga class. like where? out on the floors after they closed?
by the way, "until the weather warms..." oh that is sooooo not an excuse... in SoCal.... hahahah. you get out there, girl!
PS sure this weekend is shot to hell with the rain, but even next weekend there might be a window of sunshine. JTree granite should be okay after a day
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caligrrl
Feb 21, 2004, 6:37 PM
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Damn.
So it's overrun with kids now? That kinda sucks. I thought they were going to put all kinds of money into it to improve it and expand.
Hmmmm...well, maybe I'll give up the gym idea, and just get out! Yeah, I know the weather isn't an excuse, but I generally prefer to snowboard in snow season, but I have an injury I have been nursing.
I'm wanting to introduce my bf to rockclimbing and thought the gym might be a good way to go...maybe I'll have to take him to Pt. Dume instead.
How much is Rockreation? Maybe I'll look into going there from time to time.
:) Cali
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jt512
Feb 21, 2004, 7:49 PM
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In reply to: Hey guys!! Okay...I think it's about time for my hiatus to be done with... I was thinking of joining LA Rock Gym until the weather warms...
Until the weather warms? Echo Cliffs is in prime season right now, and the desert areas aren't bad either.
-Jay
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azeini
Feb 21, 2004, 10:19 PM
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I would say it is not true. The BCR is not overrun by kids. You meet children mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. And they are there for the first few hours and leave kind of early. During the week there are hardly any kids, at least I never met any.
I know that one of the staff does some Yoga :D , but I am not aware of any classes. You can get a card for 10 visits and you pay for 9 or so.
Give it a shot, I think it's worth it; i.e. if you are not going to get out.
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itakealot
Feb 21, 2004, 10:34 PM
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The new owners of BCR have invested a lot of money in the Gym with the addition of a bouldering cave, doubling the lead climb area, and putting in carpet.
The route setting is still not that consistent but I have yet to go to a gym where there are routes that I like.
The weekends are the kid's time, but there is a core group of climbers that climb on tuesdays and thursday that I see outside on a regular basis.
And most of all "NO ATTITUDE" at BCR.
Make a visit to the GYM I think you will like it and if not I will be your belay slave for a month.
I think the comments that were made by an X employee.
Support your local South Bay community.
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caligrrl
Feb 21, 2004, 11:27 PM
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Hmmmmm....maybe I will check it out. I remember Scott saying he went there on Tuesdays and Thursdays....
Scott (in MB)?? You out there? Are you still going to the gym on Tues/Thurs??
If there is a group that goes on a regular basis, that would be awesome, as I am still a neophyte and would love to have the experience around me ;)
Thanks again guys for all the feedback :)
:) Cali
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sdb
Feb 22, 2004, 1:03 AM
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i hit bcr once or twice a week and find it a cool place to train. every gym makes dough having b-day parties, and bcr is no exception. hell, every so often at rockreation i used to get yelled at by some stupid director filming a commercial while i was trying to traverse. the girls who now own bcr are very cool and have invested in upgrades to the facility. route setting is gettin better, but still can improve. it's much less of a scene than rockreation. after 6 pm on weeknights you can pretty much jump on anything.
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caligrrl
Feb 24, 2004, 3:08 AM
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Okay, so it looks like I'm gonna check out BCR tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm with itakealot....
I'll give ya'll the update!
:) Cali
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jt512
Feb 24, 2004, 3:16 AM
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In reply to: Okay, so it looks like I'm gonna check out BCR tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm with itakealot....
What is that guy's secret, anyway?
-Jay
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moabbeth
Feb 24, 2004, 3:42 AM
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In reply to: I know Rockreation is "the place" to go, but I live in the South Bay and it is really close. Any details would be MUCH appreciated! Thanks in advance! :) Cali !
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: yeah what-evuh......I live 5 minutes from the place and you couldn't pay me to go there. I heard the one in Costa Mesa is pretty nice as far as gyms go, but the one in W. LA sucks. Why on earth would you consider it "the" place to go anyway?? Only lame gym rats put status on how cool their indoor gyms are. :roll:
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caligrrl
Feb 24, 2004, 4:16 AM
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In reply to: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: yeah what-evuh......I live 5 minutes from the place and you couldn't pay me to go there. I heard the one in Costa Mesa is pretty nice as far as gyms go, but the one in W. LA sucks. Why on earth would you consider it "the" place to go anyway?? Only lame gym rats put status on how cool their indoor gyms are. :roll:
Well, I'm not one to generalize anyone as "lame gym rats" if they enjoy going to a gym. More power to them if they enjoy it, and that's what they love to do. Even more brownie points if they're loud and proud.
This will be my first gym experience, and the general consensus from people I have chatted with real time and online has been that Rockreation has more of a following, and since the management has changed at BCR, some people I knew that went there when I worked at REI have stopped going there.
Which is why I am here asking for opinions one way or the other. I will draw my own opinion tomorrow, but I enjoy hearing the feedback from everyone..."lame gym rats" included ;) :roll:
:) Cali "Lame Gym Rat in training" Grrl
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caligrrl
Feb 25, 2004, 8:31 PM
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Couldn't make it yesterday cause of a work clusterfuck...will try to make it there on Thursday! Update to follow :)
:) Cali
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moabbeth
Feb 25, 2004, 10:58 PM
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In reply to: Which is why I am here asking for opinions one way or the other. I will draw my own opinion tomorrow, but I enjoy hearing the feedback from everyone..."lame gym rats" included ;) :roll: :) Cali "Lame Gym Rat in training" Grrl
Sorry cali but the way you worded your post made it sound like you were more concerned about going to the "cool" gym, and that kinda made me wonder about your intentions. And you're only LAME if you value your coolness on the gym you climb at. If you climb at the gym cause you like it and like to climb there for the climbing, then you are 100% grrrrrrreat :lol: !!! If you choose where to climb cause you wanna be part of the cool crowd, that's a little too much like jr. high.
along with roseraie, Moab "waiting with bated breath hoping caligrrl has the supercoolest totally awesome gym experience EVER" beth
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miker
Feb 25, 2004, 11:15 PM
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I have climbed at LA Rock now BCR for many years and the new owners have done some amazing things with new flooring and a bigger better bouldering setup. As with any gym kids can be in the way, but some of them climb better than I do. As with any gym you get out of it what you put in to it. It is a place to get ready/train to go outside and the folks who run the place sometimes even announce where they are going for a weekend to see if others want to tag a long which is most excellent.
Anyway, have fun and maybe I will see you there or outside sometime soon
miker
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brianinslc
Feb 25, 2004, 11:16 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: I know Rockreation is "the place" to go, but I live in the South Bay and it is really close. Any details would be MUCH appreciated! Thanks in advance! I live 5 minutes from the place and you couldn't pay me to go there. I heard the one in Costa Mesa is pretty nice as far as gyms go, but the one in W. LA sucks. Why on earth would you consider it "the" place to go anyway?? Only lame gym rats put status on how cool their indoor gyms are.
I've been to all three...and...I am biased since I've belonged to Rockreation since they opened here in SLC...
LA Rock Gym is fun. It has a bit of a different atmosphere than either of the Rockreation's in LA and OC. I had a good time. Didn't seem to have the same "energy", as in, a fun bouldering bunch and a staff always tryin' to make it fun, but, that coulda just been the day of the week I was there, too. Has some fun crack climbs, if that's yer gig, but, so does the Costa Mesa Rockreation (smoothy in the corner is good training).
That said, when I travel to the South Bay, I usually head to one of the Rockreations, but, that's mostly 'cause my membership transfers. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't suffer the drive. But...I do prefer the Rockreations, both locals. The LA location has a decent set of weights, can't recall seein' that at Costa Mesa or at the LA Rock gym.
I like the lead routes better at both Rockreations. Also seemed like a tad better course setting, but, that can change with the wind too. Staff friendly at all three. I thought the LA gym was a little darkish too, which doesn't help with the psyche (so is/was the Costa Mesa gym). Gimme bright if I'm goin' to be inside. Dark colored walls and carpet...ugh...(Lumber City gym anyone?).
For me, tough choice between LA and Costa Mesa Rockreations. Both are nice in their own ways. Different vibe at each, and has changed over the years. I usually base where I'm goin' on where I'm stayin', as the drive to either post work is the crux.
Check 'em all out.
Some folks are just anti gym for some reason (you know who you are...!). The scene is where you make it, but, discovering one to add into is nice too...
Brian in SLC
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caligrrl
Feb 25, 2004, 11:18 PM
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Not sure what part of my original post led you to believe that I was overly concerned with being at the "cool gym".
If I had genuinely belived it was the "cool place to go", I probably wouldn't have put it in parenthesis. But alas, I digress.
Here I thought you were just trying to be presumptuous and condescending, so it seems we were both wrong.
Good to know.
:) Cali
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moabbeth
Feb 25, 2004, 11:21 PM
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In reply to: [For me, tough choice between LA and Costa Mesa Rockreations. Both are nice in their own ways. Different vibe at each, and has changed over the years. I usually base where I'm goin' on where I'm stayin', as the drive to either post work is the crux. Brian in SLC
Hey bri, I've had a couple friends who regularly workout at the CM Rock and they said that consistently the routes are far better down there than here...and the vibe in general is more mellow and supportive (I think there's a lot more outdoor climbers training inside there as opposed to gym climbers only like LA Rock seemed to be on the limited times I went there). Whatcha think of the route differences between the two, are my buds accurate from what you experienced?
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brianinslc
Feb 25, 2004, 11:53 PM
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In reply to: Hey bri, I've had a couple friends who regularly workout at the CM Rock and they said that consistently the routes are far better down there than here...and the vibe in general is more mellow and supportive (I think there's a lot more outdoor climbers training inside there as opposed to gym climbers only like LA Rock seemed to be on the limited times I went there). Whatcha think of the route differences between the two, are my buds accurate from what you experienced?
Its evolution, baby...
That's a toughie. I think CM is more mellow, for sure. Not that there isn't an energy there, but, its a bit more, hmmm...how to say...stressy(?), frenetic (?) at the LA Rockreation, maybe because it feels a bit more crowded some nights, and the clientelle maybe a bit more ansy too, 'cause there's a viby thing for gettin' on stuff when its crowded. So I'd say, yeah, more friendly at CM.
Staff has changed both places. Used to be kinda testy at CM. I hated their lead belay test. Mostly because, besides wondering if I could pass it, I could never find a partner who could (still the lead area's at both gyms are way underutilized, IMHO). Leadin' shouldn't be a grade dependant thing, but a safety thing, and if you could demostrate safety in leading, then lead away. So, that changed (maybe some of our input, eh?).
Anyhoo, I think the routes change, the course setters change, the general staff changes, so does the clientelle. Maybe also is a reflection on LA versus CM in social attitudes too, which might be a more subtle thing that becomes more evident at the gym, especially when its crowded and there's competition for space.
Some other generalities...I think the routes at their grades in LA are more tricky and maybe more interesting, where CM tend to be hard because they're crimpy and the holds are small (ie, I seem to like the course setting better in LA). Bouldering in the LA location...whew, the grades are tougher and there's more folk doin' the higher grades (at least when I've been there). Can be a bummer to get shut down on a grade you'd think your proficient at, which might be why folks like one place over the other?
I've had loads of fun at both places. I've climbed with staff at the LA gym (here in Utah and at the LA gym). But...when I'm alone, and don't run into folks I know, I do seem to get a more friendly vibe from the CM local. But...the staff at LA seem to try to get folks together more too (they put some effort into that lately, with some fun and games, which can be annoying, but, also forces folks to socialize so they must recognize something's maybe slightly amiss?).
I'm not what you'd call a regular at either place (am a regular in SLC). Maybe once a month. And...for the space alone, I'd trade for the CM location as they have a ton more room than here in SLC, and hardly anyone leads there (1.5 hour wait the other night in SLC for a lead spot, its that crowded).
Its a location thing. Most folk would go to one or the other based on where they live/work. I usually work near the South Bay, so, can choose to stay and gym either place. Sometimes, its mostly dependant on social post gym (slide shows, beverage consumption, friends both in LA and OC).
What a ramble...does that make any sense?
Brian in SLC
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caligrrl
Feb 27, 2004, 5:57 AM
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Okay, so....
Finally made it to BCR tonight and here are my observations:
1. itakealot is cool as hell, and as far as I can tell a great guy
2. It was a really friendly environment, and very little attitude (which I have come to generally expect of the climbing community).
3. There is some exercise equipment and weights, which is a nice addition
4. It was really clean and bright, and not as dungeonlike as I had expected.
5. I had a FABULOUS TIME
6. It's the COOLEST rock gym I have ever been to (Granted, it's the only rock gym I have ever been to, but it's a start)
So, given these observations I proudly proclaim, at the top of my lungs....
LAME GYM RATS UNITE!!!!
Watch out...we'll be heading to a crag near you (when our membership expires at our super phat, dope, rad gym).
:) Cali "Lame gym rat extraordinaire" Grrl
p.s. I will be taking advanced orders for "My Gym is cooler than your's" T-shirts. They will be available in Loud and Lame Lime Green, Proud Presumptuous Passion Pink, and "Orange you glad you're at this gym Tangerine" (kidding) :p (....maybe not)
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caligrrl
Feb 27, 2004, 5:58 AM
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Oh yeah....Brian....
You made perfect sense ;)
Thanks for the feedback. It was much appreciated :)
:) Cali "Cooler than Ice" Grrl
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moabbeth
Feb 27, 2004, 6:28 AM
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Is caligrrl's gym trip going to be filed under Trip Reports forum?? I've never seem a more detailed explanation of someone's trip to a climbing gym.
moab "what the hell is with people who put statements in between their names anyway and no I don't think people who go to gyms are lame I just choose not to" beth
ps - Bri, thanks for your reply, appreciate it.
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