Probably the largest central rock gym in Boston, this location in Alewife is known for its more challenging climbs. I spent about 2 hours here and was quite humbled but enjoyed the experience. If it weren't so far from the main Boston area, I would go more often, but it's worth the trek and visiting at least once! read more

Located conveniently with a large parking lot and access to the Red Line at Alewife, this Central Rock Gym is one of the best climbing gyms I've been to in the Massachusetts! The bouldering area is expansive, with a wide range of problems for all skills levels. They have slab and walls with a various levels of overhang. I noticed they had a wall that catered to beginners as well, which is awesome for people starting out. Even during peak hours after work on a weekday, the gym didn't feel super packed and it was easy to get on the wall whenever. The open setup is also nice to see all the problems and what people are working on from one spot. This CRG also boasts a solid lifting area in the back with free weights and power racks, along with a few cardio machines. They have multiple training boards, hang boards, and a pull-up area. Free chalk bags are available at the front, along with self-serve rental shoes. The membership is a bit pricey ($125/month), but they do have classes like yoga included, as well as access to other CRGs. Overall, excellent bouldering gym, excited to go back and try more problems! read more

Central Rock Gym - Cambridge - Climbing Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I love this gym but the lights really bother me. The staff are really friendly as are all the climbers!

Rockin' the rock wall. I should preface this review by saying that I didn't climb any of their bouldering routes (no top-roping, btdubs). But I will say that my boyfriend, who climbs regularly at Touchstone gyms in California, enjoyed their plentiful routes. I, on the other hand, spent all my time in their weight and cardio room, which is decked out by climbing gym standards. Treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles, rowing machines, free weights, and 6 squat racks. They have speakers set up if you want to hook up your own music player and a chalkboard if you want to jot down your workout routine or play tic-tac-toe with your lifting partner. The bathrooms come with showers and a sauna, and you can grab a towel at the front desk. The only downside is the price point. At $22 for a day pass, Central Rock Gym beats out the priciness of San Francisco's climbing gyms. While they offer a student discount with ID, they only honor it for climbers 22 years or younger. No help for the older broke college students (and us grad kids have even heftier loans!). A great facility with a great setup! read more

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I am a member of the Worcester branch and CRG is probably the best climbing gym chain I have seen. However, the Cambridge unit feels a bit dated. Carpets and crash pads aren't to the same standard as some of the newer units. Bathroom is also a bit of a labyrinth. The routes in the gym are amazing! Definitely recommend giving it a try. read more

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I am a bouldering guy. Not really into top rope, or lead climbing. So this gym was the perfect place for me. I feel like the facilities were nice and there were a ton of a problems to try my hand at. Notes: There was a sauna, a gym area, and of course the rock climbing walls. The foam mats are not as comfortable as the CRG in Worcester. It is kind of in a random location but if you live near Alewife it is super convenient. The routes are tough. I am usually a V4-V5 in Worcester, here I was a V3-V4. Sometimes less depending on the climb. Still had a great time though. read more

As a beginning climber who came as a one-time visitor, I feel the need to warn prospective casual climbers that this gym is not designed for beginners and was (in the case of my visit) unwelcoming. I am a relatively fit person - I work out multiple times a week - however even the V0 bouldering routes were much too difficult for me to complete, sometimes requiring jumps that seemed V1-V2 intermediate (in the opinion of my husband, whose father is a semi-pro climber). At other rock gyms, there are always a number of beginner options available, and I don't usually find it impossible to complete a single climb. Since the routes were unusually spread out, I couldn't even break the rules and simply climb using anything on the wall. I came to the rock gym to have fun, not to feel left out. I decided to speak to the gentlemen at the front desk about my experience. When I brought up that it seemed like it would be a boon to customers like me if there were a few beginner routes set, the man behind the counter informed me "this gym is geared towards more experienced climbers" and then told me to try one of their other facilities. Excuse me, but if that is the case, it should be advertised as such. It also seemed like a missed customer service opportunity to help accommodate someone who felt deeply unwelcome by the atmosphere of their gym. Suffice it to say, I will not be returning. I had a significantly more enjoyable and inclusive time at Metrorock Everett. read more

This place is great! There is so much bouldering here it's amazing. Any other place I've gone to i get a little bored of the selection of routes I can climb before a new batch gets set. Here there's so many that every time I go there's a route that got taken down which I am not ready to be done with yet. The sheer volume of routes makes for some interesting variety. I agree with the other reviews that the rating trends harder. This is really only really an issue if you're a beginner and climb V0/VB. If you climb V0/V1 and up there's still a lot to climb. There's an exercise gym and a climbing treadmill which are both cool but I never use. The place is 13+, which for some people is a plus. Personally, I like when the munchkins are around. There is parking, although sometimes it is a little challenging. Despite the enormity of the place it can get busy, meaning crowded parking and crowded walls. My biggest problem with this place is that I always stay longer than I plan. Let's consider that more a compliment on how much there is to do at the gym and less a statement on my poor impulse control and inability to keep track of time. read more

Great staff, friendly to beginners, and nice facilities. There are mats throughout all bouldering areas so you don't have to drag around a crash pad. Difficulty levels are spread out well. There will be something for nearly every skill level. I'm told they turnover all walls every six to eight weeks. There's a separate room for traditional workout equipment. Kettle bells up to 65lbs? Sure I'll take it. You can plug and play your own music here. Blast that Celine Dion to your hearts content. This is not a huge gym so plan your visits accordingly. Parking, however, is not an issue. They have no contract memberships or you can pay $20 per visit. Shoe rentals are $6. read more

It's been a while since I've gone climbing, but central rock in Cambridge is pretty solid. Needless to say, I can barely climb anything at the moment, but I still found routes that were at my skill level that were super fun. Color coded routes, inclines, and crash pads make it a fun place to take risks. Boyfriend is far more advanced, and has been a member at Central rock for years but was still able to climb closeby. The cardio/weights gym is really solid with lots of machines. There's a window looking out to the bouldering walls right next to the cardio/weights gym. It's a real perk to watch my boyfriend climb while working out on the machines. :) It's also super air conditioned! Also, the parking is ample and it's open late. Plus, it's way cheaper than Brooklyn Boulders. The staff are super friendly. It's a big perk to me that kids aren't allowed - while I realize this might be a negative for some, I don't want to climb with small kids around. It's a big plus for me! Only negative is that it's a bouldering only gym. It would be nice to have top rope stuff, but I can't say it hasn't given the gym a different vibe that I'm super into. read more

Solid bouldering gym, with nice facilities and awesome staff. Pros: - Shuttle to/from Alewife M-Th, 6-10pm (call and they'll pick you up - SUSPENDED FOR THE SUMMER) - New problems every 1-2 weeks (6-8wk cycle for the entire gym) - Color-coded routes! no tape! - Workout room, yoga and other fitness classes, climbing classes too Cons: - Wish the shuttle ran for more hours, it's a bit of a hike from Alewife (and while it's true that the city is planning a footbridge from the T over the railroad tracks, the process is slow and I don't see it actually happening anytime soon.) - Not a huge gym, so it can get crowded in the evenings (though it clears out by 9pm or so, and it's never as busy as BKB, where it can be hard to jump on a problem) - Restrictive guest-pass policy- can only bring in people new to CRG - Website could have more information about membership benefits, etc. It's a little lacking. read more

Pros: - Lots of bouldering routes that change - Cleaner than most gyms - Good weight lifting and cardio gym - Free bandaids, tape and lotion for your flappers! - Showers, sauna, and lockers - Close to the Alewife T station - "Crash"floors! Cons: - The biggest con is the limited guest passes. You get one a month and you can only use it on a friend who has never been to the gym before. - No kids (although I understand that they're marketing it this way) - There have been times where no one was at the front desk - Prices are being raised soon Overall solid gym. You should check it out. read more

CRG is awesome. I've been a member for a while. But I agree with other reviews that this location needs some actual beginner routes. When I bring friends or family here with my membership's guest pass, even the V0 routes are too difficult for them and they end up not climbing. Other locations are much more beginner friendly. If they want this location to be exclusive to more experienced climbers, then perhaps they should advertise it as such. read more

Best boulder problems, best environment, best staff out of any of the CRGs or other rock climbing gyms in the Boston area! This is the real rock gym with lovely people and even free coffee! But if you don't like coffee...there's free water... at a water fountain. But for real, you won't find a better place to climb or exercise. If routes seem hard, chill out, this a real bouldering gym, with accurate grading based on what you might experience outside, not what'd you experience if you want to boost your ego. Best setters and management ever! read more

Awesome bouldering gym. They have a good difficulty range of problems, and rotate problems regularly so there's always something new to try. The staff is very friendly, and locker rooms are spacious (with a sauna). Beyond bouldering, the gym also has a great weights area with plenty of equipment for strength training. Also, thank you for being open at 6am three times a week! This is perfect for people like me that work out in the mornings. Can't recommend this place enough, and it's definitely worth the price. read more

Awesome facility, awesome staff, even more awesome routes. What more could you ask for? Ropes? I head to Watertown if I'm looking to rope climb instead but CR's Stoneham location looks like it's moving along too, so it'll be nice to climb there also. Really like that you can visit multiple gyms for one membership rate & that the facility is well maintained & the staff really are there to help you progress. read more

I recently moved to Cambridge area and was excited to find a climbing gym close to my place, so I registered to Central Rock Cambridge. All went fine for a while until I interacted with the staff. After the first month using rental shoes, I decided to buy new shoes from the gym, after a few sessions using them, I soon realized that those shoes didn't sit well with me, they were too tight and painful I could hardly keep them on for 15mins, let alone climb with them. I tried repeatedly to bring that to the attention of the staff but they didn't heed any attention to what I said, they didn't even inspect the shoes. All I understood from their reaction is that they didn't care, which was absolutely shocking to me. So I got in touch with the manager. After a few weeks of ignoring my emails, he finally replied to say that it was my problem and if I didn't like the shoes I could sell them back myself. Quote from his email: "I encourage you to try and sell them as virtually new, and if you make a print out would be happy to place it in the gym. Short of that, there's not much I can do for you, which I appologize for. " That is right people, we are in 2017, you buy shoes from a professional, you try to get a minimum after sale service and all you get is, there is nothing we can do for you, we don't care if you come or go. I stopped my membership and I am moving to another gym that actually values its customers. read more

Best rock climbing gym in the world. Exemplary customer service and unbelievable setting. I would move here if it was an option.

Best rock gym in Boston in my opinion. The route setting is consistently awesome and imaginative. This is the place if you want to train hard and get better at climbing. read more

It's a fun place, I got a free day pass for my first time going spent 3 hours climbing I had fun. I recommend it.

After climbing at MetroRock for years, I decided to give Central Rock Cambridge a try. I love their Watertown gym but it's too far away for me to go to frequently. I was really excited to hear they were opening a gym in Cambridge with no kids under 14 allowed and a nice fitness, yoga, and training area. So far I really like it here. I much prefer bouldering to top roping or lead climbing, so I like that it's all bouldering here, but it's nice that I can go to the Watertown gym for free with my membership if I want to get on the ropes. I've been there at all different times of the day and days of the week, and after work on weekdays has a decent amount of people, but it never feels crowded. I rarely have to wait to get on a problem, which is great! The fitness area is really nice and is a decent size, I really like the training area, and the yoga/fitness class studio is spacious. The bathrooms and lockers are very nice, and they have a sauna in both the girls and guys area. I like the climbing here- there's a good variety of grades obviously, but also a nice variety of types of problems and angles of the bouldering walls. The mats are all around which is great, and MUCH softer than the awful BKB mats that I and so many other climbers who I've talked to hate falling on. (Side note- problems are much better than at BKB too). It's great for beginners and more advanced climbers since you don't have to worry about hurting yourself if you fall on a tough move toward the top of the problem. I only have a couple complaints that bring my rating down to 4 stars, mostly having to do with admin stuff. First, they only do a shuttle from the T after 6pm, since there's only one person working there at a time until after 6. Look, I get that it's a smaller gym and they don't need a full staff all the time, but they should at LEAST have 2 people working starting at 5 so people getting out of work nearby at 5pm can go straight to climbing after work. They do say a foot bridge is going up sometime this year that will allow a shorter walk, but still... Just start your t shuttle rides 1 hour earlier, and your gym will be MUCH more convenient! Second, as a member, you get 2 guest passes per month like most gyms... However, unlike most gyms, someone can only come as a guest if they've NEVER been to ANY central rock location (there are 5) before. This is honestly ridiculous. Most climbers try out all or most of the gyms in the area from time to time. It's fun to try out different setting styles and gym styles, and that's the best way to decide where you'd like to sign up for a membership when your current one expires, etc. So, pretty much all of my climber friends have tried out the Watertown one just for fun in the past, but it was too far away to get a membership at. Now that the Cambridge gym has opened, it's close enough to seriously consider switching there, but obviously they want to check it out first, especially since it's bouldering only. But when you already have a membership elsewhere, as anyone who climbs more than 3x a month probably does, paying $20 for a day pass to a place you've never been before because you don't qualify for the guest pass due to your previous visit to another gym is not appealing. And honestly, it's annoying to me as a member.. It feels like I'm being punished rather than it being a perk. When I was climbing at Metrorock previously, I brought friends who were new to climbing and new to Metrorock, and many of them ended up getting memberships. It's very frustrating not to be able to do that here, and honestly, I can't imagine it's actually that great for business. I think MetroRock's current policy for guest passes is one that Central Rock should consider - there, you get two guest passes per month, but once someone uses a guest pass, they cant come back on anyone's guest pass until the next month. So basically, someone without a membership could come 1x per month total as a guest. I think this is a nice balance of getting new potential members in the door, giving their current members a perk, and making sure no one takes advantage of the guest passes. Someone working at Central Rock told me that they'd be talking to management about it when I asked about it in passing and was surprised at how restrictive it was. Hopefully they are open to change and the policy will relax in the future. Lastly, it's pretty expensive to go here compared to the other gyms in the area, especially when you compare the sizes of the gyms. It makes sense if you do go to the Cambridge AND Watertown gym on a regular basis, but I think it'd be really nice to have a reduced rate "Cambridge only" membership option. For now I'm enjoying going here, but one of the main reasons I go is because it's much more convenient for my main two climbing buddies due to where they currently work. Once things change around in a couple months, I'll probably re-evaluate and see if it's worth staying or going back to my previous gym. read more

I love the Cambridge facility! Its really clean and has everything you need. Staff is very friendly and easy to talk to. I love the fact that this gym is never extremely crowded even on the busy days! I can relax, think, and solve bouldering problems anytime. Definitely would recommend to anyone! I have yet to try the classes though so I guess that's next on my to-do list. read more

Great bouldering only place with some serious training facility going on! Many different types of routes from V0s to V13s. You can get really strong here! read more

Central rock is great! Definitely appreciate the clientele they cater to--people looking to get strong. The shape of the walls will challenge you, and the setting's pretty good. Staff is always nice. Took off a star because I wish they'd update their guest pass policy. You get one free guest pass, only can be used on someone who's NEVER been to the gym before.......really guys? No other gym does that. read more

Best bouldering gym in the Boston area. Creative and unique setting which changes frequently. I think this gym has the lowest injury rate in the area (best bouldering pads?). read more

The best bouldering gym around! The climbs are reset constantly so that there is always something new to work on. The routes are challenging but fun and there is something for everyone, from beginner to advanced! read more

A brand new (opened in December) state-of-the-art bouldering center. I would consider myself an advanced climber, and they really have everything you need to train and get stronger. Even if you're a beginner, their are plenty of things to keep yourself occupied on. The entire staff is super nice and will always go out of their way to help you with anything you need!! read more

It's a nice bouldering gym and the weightlifting room is a nice touch, but just like the Watertown location, I don't care for the setters much. I find the routes set at Metrorock facilities more interesting and the ratings more predictable. Ratings at Central rock gyms are a bit unreliable. Another thing I particularly dislike about the Cambridge location is that too much of the wall is taken up by advanced routes. Solidly half the gym is v5 and up and I can tell you half the patrons can't touch those routes. read more

this is a fantastic place to get in a climbing session, but man, come on CRG. please hire some folks to work the desk that understand that they're in a customer service position. hiring an arrogant, flippant, 25 year old just because he climbs v17 is an awful business decision. half of the staff there are complete jerks. read more