Unethical business. Over the summer, I aggravated an old injury and could no longer climb. I asked Brooklyn Boulders to delete my account or suspend it indefinitely. I was emphatic about these two options. Instead, they kept my credit card info and set my membership to reactivate after three months. Their notification email was sent from an insecure site. Gmail filtered it out as spam / a scam, so I didn't see it. Somehow I get all their marketing emails though. So without any warning they started billing me again three months later for a membership I cannot use. They're refusing to issue a refund, instead offering credit to membership I cannot use. read more

Horribly overpriced. $29 for a day pass?? Without gear? Also, the initiation tour was ridiculous. Added like 30 minutes or more to the get on the wall, and having to demo we knew how to fall was excessive. Dont get me wrong, its a "nice" gym, but it damn better be for $130 a month and $100 init fee. read more

Awesome space! My home BKB is in Chicago and this space is as good if not better! Lots of open floor space, tall routes for top rope and leading. Fewer auto belays than I'd like but who can complain when you've got free sparkling water, cold brew tea and coffee to drink while you contemplate the meaning of life?! Bouldering is phenomenal as well! Of course as with all BKB locations, prices can be very steep here compared to there gyms. But definitely worth the membership if you come often! read more

The daily pass is overpriced and doesn't include gear. Find yourself a Groupon, then climbing at Brooklyn Boulders becomes worth it. The space is big and the walls nice though. read more

Bouldering Project - Gyms Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

My takeaway? They're trying much too hard to be hip and the climbing suffers for it. It's not all bad - the staff members that I interacted with were friendly and accommodating (seriously, though, stop throwing the football around), the space is enormous - and beautiful, in a warehouse-y kind of way, and it's clearly more convenient to get here than to Metrorock or Boston Rock Gym. That said, I found the route setting to be repetitive and formulaic, the parquet wall surfaces (I know, I know, everyone has already complained about them...) just terrible, and the wall features themselves to be simple and unimaginative (90 degrees to slightly overhung everywhere - that's it). In any format, climbing at a gym almost feels like a different sport than climbing outdoors, but BKB takes this to a the extreme: it comes off as a "rock climbing themed experience." The folks running BKB Somerville seem to be branding themselves as a "lifestyle space." They have good wifi, and a work space (with treadmill desks) to take advantage of it. There's a small yoga space, cardio machines upstairs, and a very limited weight/workout room. I understand there's even a cafe coming soon. If these are the sort of things that are driving you here, you may enjoy it much more than I did. If you're looking for a training space, or a little substitutionary climbing on a day when you couldn't make it outdoors, however, you'd do better to look elsewhere. read more

I have been climbing here 2-3 times a week for the last two+ years. Overall, the place has drastically improved their route setting over the last year (yay!) and purchased some nice interesting holds (yay!). Their staff varies between the extremes of knowing a lot about their gym and climbing in general, and being completely useless. A major pro for me is that prepaid memberships can be frozen in the case of injury. The location is very convenient to get to by bike in the Cambridge/Somerville area. However, the major con is the impression that they care mostly about tech bros with money. They are by FAR the most expensive gym in the Boston area and prices are only going up. They've done away with student memberships. All their talk about "community" is pretty artificial in my opinion: for the newcomer, it's a pretty unfriendly crowd, as compared to the other gyms in the Boston area. They said they are increasing prices because of the coworking space, exercise equipment, and "events". To me, the "events" mean I can't climb for those hours, the exercise equipment is irrelevant to me (I have a nicer gym that I go to for that stuff), and I don't want to work off a laptop. Essentially, I really wish they would focus on climbing. Instead, they seem to care more about drawing in a wealthier, infrequently climbing crowd. Edited to add: I just checked out the coworking space and note that like most similar spaces it is unfriendly to women / shorter people. The chairs are at an uncomfortable height to work at. read more

BKB is an interesting place. I have been a member for 3+ years and want to honestly write my positives & negatives. ==Positives== This a great space for climbing - lots of space for bouldering, lead climbing and auto belay - so that's cool. Its really convenient for anyone living in the area and I appreciate the bike parking. Nice to have a brewery nearby as well. I like the staff in general - they are friendly and helpful and when I did the climbing badges for belaying it was good and informative. ==Negatives== 1. The constant closures. I mostly boulder and the amount of closures is just not reasonable for the price being paid. The bouldering routes are regularly closed for "competitions" for more than a week that cost extra from membership (!). They are currently closing parts for "changing the mats" and then sometimes the entire gym is closed for a "private event". I think its a reasonable expectation that a member paying a high price has regular access to the routes and that isn't the case. 2. The route setting. I think this has been getting worse recently. The biggest complaint I have is when the routes are not marked with the grade for _weeks_. Sometimes the routes never get marked. On top of that, the grading seems pretty inconsistent. I find this frustrating because I depend on the grading to know what to climb. Recently sections of the gym (mezzanine!) just don't have a full set of routes. No explanation, no communication. 3. The treadmills. I run a lot and these treadmills are no good. I have complained about them in person & over email and never had a response. They are regularly broken or just can't go quickly enough - recently I've had more than once where a treadmill abruptly breaks and says "cannot attain target speed". I am not sure this is safe. 4. Safety. I regularly see kids and (inexplicably) dogs running around without oversight and personally I don't think that is appropriate. I have no issues with being family friendly but I think that the staff could do more to ensure that injuries are avoided. I have almost fallen on a kid at least twice. ==Overall== BKB is fine & I have been a member for 3 years. I just wish they would take some of the feedback on board (see: many other yelp reviews) and make some improvements! read more

Shelling out $22 for a day pass and another $5 on shoe rentals is all you need to get your climb on at BKBS. A little bit more if you want to climb the walls requiring a harness. New to climbing? That's cool. Just ask anyone working there for the lowdown and you are on your way to your best Sly Stallone Cliffhanger impression. There are other rock climbing gyms around Boston, but none compare to BKBS. The facilities really are best in class. Add in the gym equipment, workspace, exercise classes, and popup cafes, and this place becomes a destination in itself. It's also right next to Artisans' Asylum, so if you want to drop by there first and get your 3D print on, by all means go ahead. My only complaint is that it was very unclear about how to get started on my first visit. I signed the waiver, paid, and was basically on my own. Once I asked what their full spiel was an employee told me what I needed to know, but I wish they were more inquisitive about it being my first time and needing some advice. I had done bouldering before, but hadn't in years, so I needed a rundown before starting up again. Make sure you pace yourself there. If you haven't done this before, or for a long time like me, you will be aching in very strange places for days afterwards. But don't let that put you off. BKBS is a great overall experience and something like this in the Boston area is tough to come by. Other businesses should take note of their holistic approach! read more

Note: This is a top rope review, not bouldering. BKB is the most frustrating place to climb in the Boston area, which is unfortunate because it's easily the most convenient gym in terms of location. When I first visited, I was a new climber, so I decided to give it a second chance. But, after my second visit, several months later, I really promised myself I wouldn't return. The whole experience is frustrating, starting with the 15 min facility tour, which turns into a huge ordeal with wait times. The first time I went, an hour passed before I could even start climbing, and the same thing happened during the second visit because I had a friend with me who had never been prior. After the tour, I spent another 10 minutes trying to find someone with a clipboard to belay certify me. You should be able to walk into a gym, get gear, get belay certified, and be climbing in under 10 minutes. They are doing this whole process the wrong way. Once climbing, the routes do not make up for the pain. If you are just starting out, this gym will be frustrating because the routes don't allow you to build up your strength, they just make it impossible to complete them. It seems they rely on making holds impossible to use/grab in order to increase the difficulty level, rather than making really fun and interesting and complex routes that challenge both the body and the brain. To me, every route here just goes straight up and is boring. There is no variation and nothing to make me say, "Ooo I really want to work on that one next time". It's also distracting that the gym space is like a country club. I don't want to hear about the coffee shop, fitness equipment, fireplace, study area, parkour, slack line, acroyoga...blah blah blah. Just let me climb! read more

This place is just ok, but prices are astronomical. $36 for a day pass? That is by far the most I've ever paid in my 20 years of climbing around the country. The space is fine, the routes are good, but the prices are crazy. I realize the days of dirtbag gyms are largely over, but this is ridiculous read more

wolf t. covered this pretty well. Note, I'm a top-roper. A lot of my bouldering friends love this BKBS. I'll distil down my feelings: Pro: * Nearby * Nice art * New Con: * Expensive * Lack of variety (almost all overhung climbs) * Slippery walls I prefer to go a little further to Metrorock, which is cheaper and, in my opinion, better. read more

Compared to other climbing gyms around Boston, this isn't much to write home about. Pros: 1 - It's big in all directions. They have really long walls and many of them. 2 - It's convenient for people in the Cambridge/Somerville area. Cons: 1 - It's seriously overpriced. I don't know who would actually bother paying for a membership and the prices for their classes are positively absurd. 2 - Routes are not accurately or consistently graded. Generally speaking, they're a level above what you'd expect (eg: a BKB 5.10x would likely be a 5.11x elsewhere; a v3 is probably really a v4), but that's not always the case. Sometimes you'll find a v1 that's harder than a v3, etc... 3 - Routes are mostly, though not always, unimaginative. They pretty much make them more difficult by using hand-holds that are harder to hang onto. That's about the extent of their creativity. 4 - They force you to use a grigri, which leads to a lot of lazy, inattentive belaying. I will continue climbing there when I can get discounted 10-packs, but only because it's close to where my girlfriend lives and it's easy for her to get there after work. I'll also continue to do my "real" climbing elsewhere. read more

Shortly after I posted my earlier review for BKB, their management team reached out to me, seeming genuinely concerned that I had a poor experience. They accepted accountability, acknowledged a learning opportunity for the staff, and offered to rectify the situation. Our conversations assured me that BKB does indeed care about the business as well as its reputation within the community and how its members are treated. They're paying attention, and I really appreciate the effort. I'm pleased to be returning here on the limited membership. read more

The place is a little bit pricey for a day pass but they offer many activities to make it worthwhile. They are continuously changing stuff around and giving other options for healthy activities so we will definitely go again. read more

Brooklyn Boulders is the "Wachussett of rock gyms" - convenient and adequate, but there are better places if you have the energy to go elsewhere. Good: - Convenient to Camberville, with a nearby Hubway stop - Air-conditioned - Well-lit - Not very crowded Bad: - Expensive at $22 for a day pass (vs $16 at MetroRock with a punch pass) - Mandatory grigri use - Smooth walls do not permit smearing - Almost no corner climbs/dihedrals, no arches or top-outs. Hope you like overhangs. - Poorly-fixed holds: got spinners on 1/3 of my climbs - Invasive sign-up process - Long waits for a belay test - New York branding is tone-deaf in Boston - Trying too hard on the URBAN STYLE, self-consciously hip - Substandard website omits parking directions and other critical information - "Broga" (really?) Whatevs - Ratings are half a grade over-rated compared to other area gyms I'll climb here, but not that often. 2.5 stars. read more

Seeing a lot of people complaining about the same things, and I'm sick of it. Sure, everyone has their preference, but all of these complaints are about things that they make clear. Price - yeah, it's higher than Central Rock or Metro. But if you live in the city you can bike/walk there. The convenience is awesome. Worth the higher cost for me. Smooth walls - If people could stop bitching about smooth walls not being like real climbing that'd be great. Your in a gym. That's what outdoor climbing is for. Plus, I have literally never thought, "damn, I really wish these walls were textured." Love the wood. Height - They're setting lower problems now for those who don't want to climb high. But it's an amazing opportunity to be able to climb routes that are 20+ feet tall with massive pads under you. Having done it outdoors with significantly less coverage, this is a luxury and lots of fun. Website/Parking - They're brand new. Cut them some slack. A new website is up now and there are very clear parking directions. Grigri Only - Really? They're that bad? No, they aren't. Spinners - I experienced my fair share of spinners, but I'm assuming that's part of breaking in a brand new wall. Because I haven't had a spinner in weeks. Climbs - I've climbed some really fun problems here. They have a great range of easy and difficult to extremely difficult problems. Their setters know what they're doing. Also, they've been downgrading climbs if it seems they are overrated, so it's usually fairly accurate. But this is a gym, so who takes the ratings seriously anyway? You'll probably climb two grades lower outside. Lifestyle vs. Climbing gym - Get over the "it's not a real climbing gym" thinking. Who cares if they are branding it as some lifestyle place? Bottom line there's a shitload of great climbing with a bunch of bonus stuff like a pro shop, lounge area, cafe, sauna, showers and weight room. Staff is awesome and there's plenty of great climbing to be had here. read more

I'm torn giving this place 3 or 4 stars, but it's the holiday season and I'm feeling generous so 4 it is. I'll start with the good/great: -Variety: BKB offers a huge variety of problems (climbing problems, duh). Whether you want to boulder, top rope, or auto belay, they have you covered. -Top roping: the top roping area is probably one of the largest out of all the gyms in the area and the walls are actually tall. None of that 20' wall nonsense. -Weights/cardio area: this is one of the few climbing gyms that I've noticed a decent-sized area designated for cardio and weightlifting equipment. -Facilities: the gym is kept clean a and the actual space is laid out really well. The not so great: -Location: The gym is a bit out of the way, if you don't already live in the area. The red line is doable, but it's a bit of a trek. There is a bus that stops closer, but let's be honest, the mbta is not known for its reliability and no one wants to be waiting in the cold heading to, and especially from, the gym. -Cost: Brooklyn Boulders is one of the pricier gyms in the Boston area. It's expensive. -Crowds: It seems to always be crowded here. If you are nervous climbing in front of people, this may not be the place for you. Don't get me wrong, everyone is very friendly, but sometimes being a beginner climber trying new problems while experienced climbers watch, can be a little nerve racking. For any beer enthusiasts out there, Aeronaut is next door to the gym. Climbing + (post-climbing) beer = a great time. It's simple math, real read more

When I heard that BKB was coming to Boston I was really excited. Through a friend I was able to hookup with a group rate and signed on for a year. I was told that, at any time if I wanted to refund my membership I could. The caveat was that I never start the membership if I wanted a refund. I was really excited about BKB. They promised a lot. A spin studio, state of the art weight room etc etc etc. To keep it short, they promised the world and under delivered. They problems never get updated (I've visited once every 2-3 months to climb with bkb friends) and more importantly it took 6 months to finish the weight room and they still don't have the spin studio they mentioned. After waiting 6 months and paying day passes to visit I decided that BKB was not the place for me. It's a pretty place, but their focus was too much on art and too little on climbing. The murals are awesome, don't get me wrong. But the space could be much better utilized with.. perhaps MORE ROCK CLIMBING? The proshop is probably the weakest pro shop I have ever seen. It's pretty much an adidas shop. Adidas + climbing? I guess... But the reason BKB gets 1 star is because of the difficulty involved with cancelling the membership. E-mails were not responded to, phone calls were not returned. I think the whole process to cancel my membership lasted a whole month. I was asked to come in to tour the facility again because of the new weight room etc etc. As others have mentioned, the gym is pretty, the facilities are clean, the staff is friendly but the customer service regarding memberships etc is just awful. I think BKB has the potential to be the premier rock climbing gym in Boston. Until then, it's Metro and Central for this guy. read more

This is easily one of the best gyms i have been to, EVER. I boulder almost exclusively Design- Awesome, great 3 dimensional architecture, very impressive The problems- well set, solid grading scheme and an awesome variety of movements and styles Staff- super friendly, well educated Everything else (yoga rooms, ropes etc)- Icing on the cake I was a little sad to see that they only problems going to the lip (23 feet) were double digit climbs. I get it, but still, sad. Also i guess i can see what people mean by the lack of diversity on the roped walls, but i dont give a sh*t so whateves. Also 22 for a day pass is not that much. 99 a month is normal, its boston people not texas Great gym, cant wait to go back read more

first time going here after being at metro rock several times. While I enjoyed the spaciousness of the facility, the natural light, the great artwork and the room with the N64, the real trouble came during the first time tour they make you do. While taking the "introduction to BKB" and auto belay test (yea they make sure you know where to put the caribeaner on your harness) the guy told me the caribeaner went on the top loop (the second loop where the rope goes when you're climbing). I looked at him and sort of went "hmm I don't think so." And he showed everyone else in the group and went "yea on this harness it's different" knowing he was WRONG WRONG WRONG. This concerned me a bit because the tour was 5 people and I was the only one with experience (and I use experience very loosely here). Another issue I had was the rental harnesses. Absolutely awful. There's only one loop for everything. It just seemed realllllly unsafe. I was uncomfortable hooking my friend (first timer) up in that. The ones at metro rock are far superior. Lastly: it seems no one but the staff at the front desk are interested in helping. I tried to flag down a staff member to take the belay certification test and it was met with some punchyness which was really unappreciated since I was already sort of anxious for it being my first time. I'd say if appearance is important to you: BKB is way better than metro rock. But if everything else is important? including the friendliness of the staff, friendliness of the members, parking, etc. metro rock might be a better gym for you. read more

I'm writing this review from the perspective of a member. I was a member for a year before they raised the prices. PROS: - Fairly clean and spacious. You'll barely ever rub shoulders with other belayers. - nice gym area and a climbing oriented workout room - I like how the crash pads are installed for the bouldering area. It makes me feel safe to bail. CONS: - the routes can get boring. To make them harder they just make them crimpier. You don't see much balancy techy stuff here. - yoga classes are too crowded, I had to stop going. - staff is incompetent. I've been emailed other people's personal information like names, emails, receipts. It's so unprofessional. - there was a whole week or so when they did not have any towels... like what the hell? A lot of people use this place as their personal gym. Not having towels when people SHOWER here is pretty ridiculous. - WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. They raised the annual membership from $90 per month (which was barely worth it) to $123 per month. - their 10 pass deals expire! This is the worst. You have to use it within 120 days or else it just becomes credit on your account. If you just want to drop in, I think this gym is fine. But if you are looking for a membership I'd suggest you save the money and go to metro or central instead. It's not worth dealing with the crowds and the ridiculous hipster vibe. read more

My first experience with Brooklyn Boulders was with a special class, provided gratis to Yelpers. The following dozen (and those to be continued) are on my own dime, and I couldn't be happier with the money spent. State of the art walls, with solid rental equipment (shoes and harnesses, $5 each) and whip-crack staff to learn you the ropes, check you in or give you a hand when you're obviously climbing problems out of your league. Unlike most rock gyms, there seems to be equal if not more wall space dedicated to bouldering compared to top roping. Even some clip-in routes, which is pretty rad. Is clip-in a term? No idea, I'm new to this game. Beyond the challenging and ever-changing routes, the rest of the amenities at BKBS set it apart from other rock gyms. Free weights, newfangled Lifecycle Fitness treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bikes that record your workouts for ongoing tracking, yoga classes and slack ropes ropes for balance can be spotted round the facility. Couple a few of those with relaxation lounges, dedicated workspaces, free wifi and a few TrekDesks, and this work-from-homeboy can be found here day and night. Which leads to the only potential dissuasions: it can get extremely busy during peak hours, and those amenities get baked in to the monthly cost. Yes, you'll find cheaper, and if the community-driven bells and whistles aren't your bag, you might be better suited at a straight-up rock gym. But for a hybrid, multifaceted workout center/co-working space, you won't find better. It's definitely awe-inspiring, and a very comfortable spot to kill an eight hour block. Indoor bike parking, snacks and bevs in the lobby, local artistry on the walls and a full retail front for gear in house. Climb on! read more

I hadn't climbed anything since I was 12 so when my employer scheduled a team outing at Brooklyn Boulders in Somverville I was a little nervous. Luckily my fears were almost immediately eased when I first walked in the door. Registration was a snap and we got fitted for our gear in a matter of minutes. Upon entering the climbing area I was amazed at how expansive the setup is. A very friendly staff member showed us the different types of walls, explained each area, and made us novices feel very welcome. I was surprised to see not only do they have a bunch of beautiful walls to climb, but they have amenities like a fitness area, sauna, and even a workspace. You definitely felt the community vibe throughout. After climbing different routes and attacking a variety of climbing problems I was officially spent after a few hours but completely satisfied with what I had learned and accomplished. I got a sense that whether you are a complete novice or a extremely experienced climber BKB has the space, expertise, and overall range of facilities that anyone could ask for. I'll be back! read more

Alright. It's time for a serious update. I got lucky, and found a discount for membership via a partnership with an organization where I've attended classes. So, I have now had a membership here for a long while. This is a very frustrating review to write, b/c I do love their facilities, and their front desk staff is great, and I consider a couple of the class instructors there my friends at this point. This is why you get 1 star: If you ever ever need any higher level assistance they will be the absolute worst. For the price that one pays to go to this gym, this is COMPLETELY unacceptable. The upper level management appears to be completely useless. My very simple situation: I moved, however, I will be returning. I wanted to freeze my membership. According to their policy, this is totally fine. I will be paying them a reduced fee to not go to their gym (they get money for me to not attend! How awesome for them). I filled out the information to freeze my membership on their website 3-4 times. I called the front desk for help b/c they kept charging me. I was redirected to email their member services people...and, no one responds. I have now had to dispute charges to my credit card from them from the last few months. An annoying, but way less important fuck up: They offer one free personal training session with your membership. A friend and I once asked if we could do it together as a small group of two, rather than one on one. This also got trapped in email hell where no one ended up actually responding to us. Seeing that I can manage my many emails every day, and no one pays me a gigantic monthly fee to do it, and I don't have a staff. I expect more. Welcome to my shit list brooklyn boulders. I wish you were not the ONLY place in the city that offered acro yoga classes for a price less than your first born. Edit: Someone on their team reached out to me via yelp about this review, which was nice...except that I messaged them back to see what was up, and whether they could actually freeze my membership, and once again they failed to ever message me back. On the plus side, they seem to have cancelled my membership probably due to my credit card repeatedly rejecting their charges. read more

The atmosphere was nice and the staff friendly, but what's up with having smooth wood walls?!? A lot of climbing is about smearing! Especially for those of who are a bit vertically challenged. The wood, albeit aesthetically beautiful, makes no sense and made it completely impossible for me to smear effectively. And the harder climbs are just reachy and awkward rather than more technical. I lead 11s solidly at my home gyms in CA, but I embarrassingly got ejected off a 10b autobelay because a) the holds were placed so far apart that they were too reachy and b) the smooth walls killed my smearing abilities, that I couldn't stick a sloper near the top. The setting seemed uninspired and inconsistently graded, even for the easier autobelay climbs which were either way too easy and boring or too reachy and awkward. I get that they're trying to add some variety in their setting by placing holds all over the place, but none of the moves really seemed to flow. Even on easier climbs, like 5.7s and 5.8s, I was surprised to see how much matching and swapping feet was required to traverse. Also, it's annoying how many small edges they use, considering the smooth walls. As for the bouldering, I don't understand why the walls are so tall if they a) don't set all the way to the top or b) allow for top outs. Seems like wasted wall space. All of it looks cool, but the bouldering setting was also inconsistent. I also wish that they would invest in some more interesting wall shapes. Some cracks and features like crystals or aretes would be more interesting. Everything is just overhung. And even the slabby walls that they have feel pretty precarious because of the smooth walls. I'm not sure if this gym knows what kind of identity it wants. This is the first gym I've been to where they tout the free wifi and workspaces in their mandatory tour. At first I thought this was kind of an interesting concept, but then I tried to use their cardio equipment and also visited their locker room and rethought this. I feel like a gym should be a gym first and foremost. Their cardio equipment is fairly lacking (only two stationary bikes) and they also have signs posted that ask patrons to wipe down the equipment after use...but no paper towels or disinfectant spray to be found anywhere. Their locker room was pretty much a joke with a bathroom stall for a shower. At least they provided soap and shampoo, but I was expecting more from their facilities given how fancy the "gym" is. All in all, this gym has a lot of shiny packaging, but I think they could have done more in catering to actual climbing and training needs. At $25, their guest pass is very steeply priced. I was also dismayed to read other reviews where student passes were offered at lower rates. This option definitely was not offered to me. Not sure I would return unless it were with someone's guest pass. Some final thoughts: - What's up with the scooters? I almost got run over by several small children wearing rental gear zooming by on these things. And it looks like the staff regularly uses them too. General impression: super obnoxious and a lawsuit waiting to happen. - Why all the miscellaneous rooms for coworking and tv? Is this a gym or a coffee shop? - Why the useless tour? The guide gave me an autobelay "test", but then told me that they ran out of cards, so if any staff came by to ask me, I should just tell them I had done a test with her. What was the point of it all?! read more

After a couple years of climbing I have a different outlook on BKB. Overall its still a nice gym but the top-rope routes don't get reset enough. Sometimes I've seen routes that have been there for 3-5 months. The walls in general just aren't as interesting as other gyms I've climbed at. Not as many features. The weight room is a bit of a joke (though the climbing workout room is on point!). Weights are strewn about, equipment goes missing or taken during classes, there is only one squat rack. Its just frustrating at times. The staff is friendly but seems clueless about how the place is run. At times they don't know the answer to basic questions. I don't fault the people who work there for this, its a problem that comes from the top. People working the front desk should be able to answer membership questions, or at least know who to refer you to. Overall it seems like BKB is more focused on how to build their "savage games" and other marketing add ons and less focused on running a really solid climbing gym. If that's what you are looking for then definitely check BKB out, but you might find a better value elsewhere. Disclaimer: I still go to BKB a lot and really enjoy it. But I am paying mostly for the convenience of it being down the street from me rather than it being the best gym in the area. read more

Awesome awesome awesome! Super reasonable prices and knowledgeable staff. Great variety of climbing walls and awesome other facilities. This is an awesome place to come for a day of fun or if you're looking for a good work out. Parking can be tough...don't park on the street in front...they ticket frequently. read more

Bouldering Project - Gyms Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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While the facilities are great and the people at the front desk are helpful, their customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I had an injury and called them to cancel my membership. I was assured on the phone that my membership was cancelled. However, later when I dropped by there to make sure, I found out that my membership has not been cancelled. I contacted their membership services several times and never heard back from them. And good luck getting an invoice from them, which is required if your employer has a fitness reimbursement program. The best I could get out of them is an excel table! Would I go there again? Not until they get a clue about customer service. Would I recommend it to anyone? No read more

I used to like here when they had route setters that knew their stuff. And less overhangs. And more friendly staff. And no clicky snobbery from a giant group of new folks. The staff here don't force visitors to follow the rules, which can be pretty defeating to watch (and no shoes everywhere is mad gross). They regularly host events with little notice to their members so nights that non-bar scene folks like myself end up not having a Saturday night to climb. The crowdedness also dissuaded me from coming more, which makes the $115/month membership a steep fee to pay. After this cycle? Never. Again. read more

I have heard so much about BKB and finally went in to check it out. I was a guest of a member so it was free to climb with $5 shoe rental. They are very cool with people just coming in and checking things out, so ask for a tour if you're unsure you want to pay for the day pass. The location is excellent and will become even more convenient when they expand T lines. I thought membership was expensive when I first heard of it, but when you take in all the services BKB offers, it's really worth it, as you can basically ditch your regular gym membership and just come here. They have treadmills and ellipticals on the second floor, lounge areas, a sauna (!!!), lots of locker space, yoga and other classes (free for members). There will be a coffee shop opening there soon, so it's really a hub of activity. You could have a very full day here. There are short bouldering routes for kids (and super beginner adults *pointing at me*), and all sorts of safety and related courses. read more

I... Climbed to the top of a rock wall. I did not know I could do that. Was it the easiest wall? Yes. But still. I did not know I could do that. I came to Brooklyn Boulders for a super cool Yelp event. We took their "Learn the Ropes" class, and I learned more about top roping in two hours than I ever imagined I could. Top roping is a type of climbing where there's one person on the ground, called a belayer, who keeps the rope taut for the climber as she ascends. The climber and belayer are connected via a rope that runs from the climber's harness through an anchor at the top of the wall, back down to the belayer. If the climber falls, they are caught by the rope and held in place by the belayer's weight. Yes, I learned all of that during that one session. I knew nothing at all prior to that class! The instructors here are amazing, not to mention incredibly patient when it took me longer than everyone else to pick up pretty much every skill - knot tying, belaying, actually climbing - you name it, it took me twice as long as everyone else to get the hang of it. They're seriously talented, and seriously tolerant of the newbiest of newbies - me! According to their website, the "Learn the Ropes" class that I took with my fellow Yelpers is offered seven days a week. By the end of the class, you'll be fully prepared to come back and take your belay test. Oh, and they offer shoe and harness rentals if you don't own them yourself. I may be extremely sore from all the climbing, but I had such an awesome time that it is totally worth it. Like, totally. read more

Bouldering Project - The facility is huge! - Gyms Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Background: 25, joined in December as a total rock climbing noob and totally out of shape... Have held off on writing a review until I really got to experience both the climbing/workout facilities AND a couple of the community events. Facilities: Stunning facility and only getting better. This isn't just a rock climbing gym!! It's a full service workspace, hangout/meetup space, and yoga studio too. Naturally bright, absolutely huge, well-vented facility with co-working space, multiple lounges each with their own flavor, and an open workout space. BKB has begun massive renovations on the bathrooms and I believe they completely re-doing the second floor. I have never been a member of a facility I actually WANT to spend time at when I'm not working out. This is that gym. I'm really excited about the re-design. I would disagree with people who say that it's really crowded; I always find space to climb and never have to wait long to use an auto-belay if I'm alone. People: Fantastic people, from the managers to the front desk to the many awesome people I've met while climbing. I was very intimidated to start climbing, having no idea what I was doing and not knowing other climbers. BKB has been a real social experience for me; I've met wonderful members who have encouraged me to push myself and as a result I feel that I'm a more confident and healthy person. I've never once felt judged or like I didn't belong (a feeling I've felt in almost every other gym I've been to). Events: Regularly blow my socks off with awesome events. BADBADNOTGOOD/CouchTripping was so amazing the other week! Awesome concerts, free beer, meet-ups of all types are the norm. I joined wanting to get stronger and lose weight, but I've gotten this whole benefit of a new social life that I didn't even consider at first. All in all, I have to say that BKB and it's community has truly changed my life for the better. I'm 25 pounds lighter, I have an exhilarating new hobby, and I have some awesome new people to share it with. Thanks BKB, joining was the best thing I've done for myself in years! read more

Overall I like BKB. I previously frequented Boston Rock Gym, which I really liked, but BKB is so much more convenient for Camberville folks. It's still quite green and I'm sure they will continue to work out the kinks. Pros - Super spacious (compared to Boston Rock Gym, at least) and offers a good amount of social/working space as well as basic gym equipment (treadmills, weight rooms.) - Challenging routes if you're looking to take your beginner status up a notch. Again, comparison is to Boston Rock Gym here. - Long routes. Seriously, double what Boston Rock Gym can offer. For me, that's a huge plus as it really helps you work on your strengthening. - Very friendly & helpful front desk staff. I've heard other reviews say they wait forever for a check-in but I've never had that issue. - Barely any kids! That sounds rude, but seriously the 5 concurrent birthday parties they run at other gyms can drive you a bit nuts. BKB has a nice separate area that they run classes and (I'd imagine) small parties. Cons - Super small yoga studio which for me is a bummer. Plan to arrive at least 15-20 mins before a class to secure a spot. Also wish they would have sound proofed that room when they (a) placed it next to the weight room and (b) planned out their "classic 90s hip hop" hour during classes. - Slippery walls which, if you're going to climb outside at some point, isn't doing you any favors. - No cracks! Even Boston Rock Gym has one or two. - The routes are long and fairly challenging, but also pretty boring. Not a lot of "interesting" routes. - When it comes issues with routes, the staff seems a bit apathetic. My boyfriend stepped down on a hold and it spun 90 degrees. Ok, it happens. When we reported the issue to a staff member wandering around, he looked at us like "Uh, yeah, ok I'll get right on that" in a very ungrateful manner. - Expensive. Yes, we all knew that was coming. It's a brand spanking new facility that could replace your current gym, though. I wish it weren't so expensive but you are at least getting more for your money here. - I've heard some really disappointing stories about the behavior of the management, but I've never actually witnessed it myself. Until I personally experience it, I'll keep those comments to myself. Nevertheless it's hard not to keep that in the back of your mind as a turn off. Looking forward to seeing the business continue to grow! read more

I have been here 3 times now, and I've had a great experience each time. The first 2 times I bouldered, and then this week I took the Learn the Ropes course so that I can finally climb the bigger walls. The staff are friendly and helpful - I always forget which size rock climbing shoe I wear and they are very willing to let me switch out until I find the right size. They also are happy to show you around and teach you how to climb a bit if you're new. The Learn the Ropes course was very well taught. I loved that there were 3 instructors so that no one ever had to wait long for one-on-one attention. They explained everything clearly and made sure we all felt comfortable. I really appreciated that they pushed us to try new things, but never forced anyone to do anything if they were scared. My teachers were Dan, Nicole, and Kevin and I thought they were all fantastic. I'm excited to come back and finish my belay certification and hopefully climb more in the future. I love that the space is so huge and has many different rock climbing options. I'd also like to try out some of their classes in the future. My only con: kind of expensive when you're on a student budget. read more

I've been a member at BKB for over 2 years now. I come here so much I might as well live here. The routes are great and get reset regularly but because I've been coming so often, sometimes the routes get a bit old. The facility is huge though so I understand it takes some time to get around resetting all the walls. Other things I love about BKB include: yoga classes, weight area, training room, new and very clean study/work room, friendliness of staff, overall creativity in the events that they hold. Only downside is that they recently increased the membership price by A LOT. I got an annual before the change so I am good until next year. But if the price is still this high next year, I may have to find another gym :( read more

Came here with some friends a few months back, and I was HOOKED. Though full disclosure, I was unable to use a knife the next day to cut my food, my forearms were so sore... For a rock gym, this place is beautiful. I've been to a few in California which are not nearly as aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Not only does it look nice, in terms of amenities, this place is pretty damn good. You'll find: a ton of bouldering routes (which get changed relatively often), a few autobelays, and a lot of top-roping/lead-climbing options, along with a weight room, a room dedicated to grip/forearm strength equipment, cardio equipment (with treadmill desks!), a yoga/exercise class room, a collaborative work space (with standing desks/physio balls if you're not a fan of chairs), slack lines, and a coffee bar. Truthfully, I'm probably forgetting a few things. Yes, it can be pricey. There are student discounts which help a little, for you poor students out there. My advice - look for a 10 pack deal on Groupon, and if you really like it, hold out for a membership sale which seem to happen every few months. I became a member, and it's great to have the freedom to pop in for 45 minutes for a quick climb or just for a yoga class. The weight areas are pretty well equipped and climbing is a great workout (strength + cardio + mental), so you won't feel bad ditching your gym membership. Also, if you're new to climbing and decide to take the plunge and buy a 10 pack, don't rent their equipment. That gets ridiculous real quick. You can find a decent pair of climbing shoes at EMS, REI, online wherever for under $70, buy a bag of chalk, and you're golden. read more

Amazing amazing amazing. BKB is the most wonderful place I've ever been. My friends were making fun of me because I couldn't stop ranting about how great it is. Pros: 1) Huge, gorgeous climbing walls. Tons of bouldering, top rope, auto-belays, grigri's standard. Really well done. Very top notch. 2) Free yoga classes for members. 3) Decent weight room with everything you'd ever want to pick up 4) Climbing-specific training room 5) Upstairs cafe-style work area, always people with their laptops at work here 6) Fireplace room with a swinging chair thing and couches and reading material 7) Saunas/showers in the locker rooms 7) Very kid friendly, looks like they have a cool daycare program if you want to drop your kids off to have some fun 8) Very central location Cons: 1) A bit expensive. But you'll get it once you take a look inside. Well worth it. They have a free entrance day every once in a while. Keep an eye out for it if you're interested but aren't quite sure whether or not you want to go for it. It'll convince you. read more

The decor down to the ones in the restrooms are really cool. I really loved their concept. The place was busy with climbers of all ages and abilities. If you are not a climber or get tired of climbing there is gym equipment that can be used. I wish there was a dedicated area for just children. Parking can be an issue as busy times. A cool place to spend a day or afternoon. read more

Beware they charge you an additional $5 on your first visit for a mandatory tour and learn to fall clinic (ie. watch out for others and bend your knees when you land). This is not listed on their website and becomes a nice little surprise when you are about to pay. This kind of service should be provided free of charge with the day pass, especially given its higher than normal price for Boston gyms. As for the gym itself, its large, open, and full of a mixture of cool workout and work spaces as well as art. The features on the wall are pretty unimaginative. I feel Metrorock and central rock gym have better top-rope and bouldering caves, aretes, chimneys, etc. If you want a gym to just climb in, bkbs is way overpriced. Metro and CRG are much less expensive and provide high quality climbing. If you live in cambridge/somerville and want an all inclusive gym/workspace/lounge then it might make sense to take the plunge. read more

Been climbing off and on for the past 10 years, and more regularly for the past 2 years. Previously climbed at MetroRock, now primarily at RockSpot and BKBS. Pros: -long toproping routes are good for building stamina, especially if you don't want to / can't lead yet. -Tons of autobelays, including an option for autobelay on a taller wall- good for climbing solo and laps. -Located near lots of restaurants, bars, shopping, etc., so easy to meet up for post-climb hangouts or errands. -The lounge spaces are nice to hang out in between climbs, and the new upstairs lounge is actually quiet and enclosed to get some quality study time in. -super clean, bright space that feels airy Cons: -so hip it hurts. I don't really want to have to trip over skateboarders wearing tutus when I climb... I just want to climb. -toprope route-setting definitely leaves something to be desired. a lot of monotonous ladder climbing with the hand holds just getting smaller (esp if you're just ramping up from the 5.8-10c range) -i personally don't love high bouldering walls, but YMMV. at least the floor padding is good (no gaps) -getting more expensive every year... i can usually only make it 4-6 times a month, so can't justify a membership, but also think having to pay $26+ per every 1-2 hours i want to climb is madness -parking lot got closed for renovations, and the temp parking lot during peak hours is a double parking disaster. BKBS will be my primary gym if I want to do laps on autobelay solo, or hang out for a day, but if I want to get any interesting climbing in with a partner, would look more to CRG or Metro, or bouldering at RockSpot in south boston. read more