I have grappled with writing this review publicly for a while, but after a recent conversation I overheard in the gym between a member of of the 5.life Ohio team and a Climb Nittany manager I feel like I have no choice (which I will expand upon later).
I am a member and I feel that I have been entirely abandoned as customer, and at a cost of $1089, annually, that simply isn't okay. I wouldn't describe myself as prolific climber or even particularly good. But I do love climbing and climbing in the gym. One of the aspects I loved the most about climbing in the gym is the constantly changing landscape you can use to challenge your mind and body. But at Climb Nittany you don't get that. On a good week, excluding competitions, we get 4-5 new boulders or 2-3 top rope routes. New lead routes go up every 3 months. On a bad week we don't get any routes combined with a begrudging look that says "What are you going to do? Climb at the other gym in town?".
To make matters unfathomably worse we return to the conversation between the 5.life Ohio team member, presumably a higher-up within the greater 5.life system, and the Climb Nittany manager. The higher up suggested to the manager that they should consider setting less than they already do. The suggestion came as member reviews were generally disappointed in the quality and quantity of setting with their point being "Hey, if you set fewer routes, they have to adjust their expectations and then 4-5 boulders a week won't be so bad."
I love climbing. But I hate this gym. And I should clarify - I have gotten to personally know a lot of the staff well. They are all really great people. But I don't pay all this money to come hangout at what is basically a glorified daycare. With the exceptions of the managers, the staff is largely untrained and unknowledge about climbing. I don't want some kid who can barely tie a figure eight telling me how to lead climb, it is not safe. The consistency is nonexistent.
I don't want Climb Nittany employees to be reprimanded over this. Rather, I'd like the greater 5.life organization to address member grievances that have come forward since the inception of the gym. Initially, 5.life seemed interested in member feedback, sending surveys probing our opinions on the gym. They've since discontinued member surveys, perhaps because it is easier to pretend their shortcomings don't exist if they don't ask members to point them out.
As such, this public review will serve as my member survey. The gym may need to consider reallocating the funds reserved for tacos, candy bars, and parties toward full-time, skilled setters. At this point, it may be more worth it for me to pay for an annual membership to the Penn State IM Building, where at least the setting is dense. read more