How Do Climbing Gyms Make Money? Ft.

[@climberdad]

Thanks again for having me on.

[@GeekClimber]

Thanks for sharing all the valuable lessons to us! Super insightful!

[@Pennaflumen]

Thanks for the honest answers! Very informative

[@joeawesomenessy]

you the OG

[@erikbakker1639]

Cool to also see you on this channel! Realy like your vids.

[@lugia6659]

thanks for the answer sir, I'd like to know if the members or any costumers had injuries during climbing is the gym fully responsible for it or they are at their own risk?

[@eelobear]

Climberdad: this is definitely a passion and- Geekclimber: yeeeeeah thats enough of that thanks for watching

[@climberdad]

@@Yamadutai Thanks

[@heli400]

Ya, I felt he edited a lot out, I would’ve loved to hear a lot more from climber dad

[@jeremybuckets]

1:14 you'd think it would be really easy for a climbing gym to get its events... off the ground.

[@Robert-zt5zt]

abc stv Whoooooooooosh

[@n3v3r1s4]

LOL man *Climber Dad* should be proud of you 😂

[@readywhen]

XD

[@Eudamonic]

@abc stv you missed the joke! 😂😂

[@MA-zg2pz]

@abc stv he said he opened in 2018. That’s not pre internet 😅

[@nicrules77]

why did you cut the ending like that 😂 i was still listening

[@GeekClimber]

Haha, yeah it was a bit abrupt but the idea is if you are interested in more you gotta check out ClimberDad's channel!

[@iangomes]

Great interview! Maybe add a little 'Thanks so much for coming on... You're welcome' at the end of the call so the cut to your outro isn't so abrupt. I like the video concept and great information!

[@GeekClimber]

You are right. I did have the "thank you so much for coming" segment recorded and in hindsight I should've included it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@iangomes]

@@GeekClimber No worries! You're killing it! :)

[@stephan_1507]

Parking spaces is a very American point of view. In Berlin (Germany) we decide where to go based on public transport. Do we get there after work easily and how long do we need home after the session. And one thing I totally miss in the pie charts: gastronomy revenue. If a day pass for a bouldering gym costs you 10 € we spend easily 10-15 € for drinks and food afterwards if the location is nice and inviting. Some gyms do very well, other are more climb and run.

[@n3v3r1s4]

the food point is an excellent one, I'm always famished after some solid climbing hehe

[@stephan_1507]

@@n3v3r1s4good food is the cheery on top. You need to have a good view to some climbing action, a good beer and your old or new climbing buddies. Without the view people can just go to the next bar/cafe/restaurant around the corner.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

The high rate of memberships also sounds like an American thing. At my local gym a 1 year membership costs 480€, it’s really only worth it if you go climbing more than once per week consistently.

[@Tokahfang]

I had a similar reaction, but based on having climbed in American and Australian gyms (well, Sydney gyms to be specific). American gyms have way more parking, even compared to Aussie gyms that are off the well beaten public trans path. Aussie gyms also all universally offered proper coffees, which both must make them money based on prices and were very nice! I also found memberships at Sydney's gyms rarely seemed to make financial sense - I'd have to climb 3 times a week at the same small gym location to make it a relative cost saver, and with so many options in all directions, that didn't seem worthwhile to my wife and I. On the contrary, membership costs beat the pants off punch cards and day passes here. My gym chain (2 locations!) is 39 day passes equivalent cost (so less than once a week) for the first family member, then half that for the second! And in my city, that gets you into 2/3rds of possible indoor climbing locations.

[@coasterb1]

Not as easy in America due to somewhat extreme health regulations, depending on state and city. License and inspection costs also add up.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention equipment and maintenance in the costs. Holds and volumes for a route can quickly cost a few hundred Euros. At my local gym they also pay professional route setters for some of the routes (others are set by the employees). Rental equipment also has to be replaced regularly.

[@hydra66]

the route setting is important if setting up in an area where there's competition. Part of climbing for beginners is the interesting problems and that sense of progression .

[@annapearsonmusic]

Love Clarksville Climbing!! So cool to hear the behind the scenes

[@GeekClimber]

I always have huge respect to entrepreneurs like ClimberDad!

[@bobcanish]

Move the cursor next time! Hahaha

[@GeekClimber]

I totally didn't see the cursor until seeing your comment! It's crazy how the brain works sometimes. I will definitely move the cursor next time!

[@brunosantanna015]

I watched all the video looking to the cursor. ahahah

[@AlbertOkay]

Great insight and a great interview! :)

[@savethesnails9608]

Ok Albert

[@savethesnails9608]

wait how do you not have more subs. i’ve seen quite a few of your videos and i’m baffled. great stuff man hope you keep it up

[@KinnikuNINJA]

I tried like 3 times to take my mouse off his forehead before realising it was your mouse 😂

[@cern1999sb]

I think parking lot size is much more of a consideration in the US than in the UK. I live in Cambridge and the most popular bouldering centre has 3 parking spaces in front of it, however there's a lot of cycling in Cambridge, and they have bike parking, and public transport, including a rail station and bus stops nearby

[@cairo652]

Geek Climber, you’ve got the best collabs! Love it!

[@lucface]

I can't move the cursor! lol ...Another great vid, brother. super helpful. I've started businesses and failed and will do it again. Any amount of intel is major. Thanks

[@fullypatched]

That was an abrupt ending - but thanks for the content!

[@1stGruhn]

When I built my home climbing wall, he gave me some advice when I commented in some of his videos.

[@danielpicon8012]

That “thanks for watching” at the end freaked the hell out of me. 😂

[@xIsouLcruSHca]

I love how you also go into detail about business, good mix of content! Keep it up brother!

[@Balgore8]

OMG move the mouse off his forehead! That drove me nuts!

[@GarrettEderer]

Thanks! I was thinking about maybe making a gym or something sometime.... so this was helpful.

[@josehumbertomorales9048]

Wonderful video! Specially for me who is trying to open the first climbing gym in my city and don't have any business experience. Keep the good and original content coming!

[@sebastianpenaotero9532]

Dis you open the gym?

[@agt9790]

how did it go?

[@a-j.2002]

Parking lot size, lol. America 101. Almost all climbing gyms I go to have zero parking, including Chris Sharma's gym in Barcelona (the other one has it, but the train station is right next to it, so it's hardly relevant).

[@Hazzanger]

Super informative. Given how much I climb in gyms I've never known how this works!

[@GeekClimber]

Me too! This kind of information can't be found anywhere online either. Super amazing that ClimberDad is willing to share these with us!

[@julieschmidtlaw]

This was really interesting, thank you!

[@Chriswmagic]

i like the idea of a gym having access to the outside, - ideally have it next to a natural field, so people can stretch on the grass outside. The building could be 'open concept', maybe only three walls, no roof

[@tobifwerner]

1 car=1 climber? Very american logic. In Innsbruck there are usually 200 bikes parked in front of the gym and the gym has its own bus stop 😂

[@danilo2143]

Here in Brazil we dont have climbing gyms, but that would be really cool

[@hydra66]

one way for gyms to advertise is discount sites like groupon- eg first climb reduced, shoe hire etc included. Their audiences are pretty broad. It increases the number of people who may come by to give it a try/ gift for birthdays etc. Then people talk amngst themselves Or to use a street analogy- 1st hit or 2 is at a reduced price

[@LookOuch]

How's the front lever coming?

[@GeekClimber]

Still stuck at 5 sec straddle and 3 sec half lay at the moment. Front lever is way harder than the muscle up!

[@zlong9746]

All the best! Waiting for that video to come

[@LookOuch]

@@GeekClimber That's awesome I started around 4-5 months ago and at am a leg front lever 8 second hold (one leg advanced tuck)

[@ruisilva9100]

@@GeekClimber Funny managed to get the front lever way earlier than the muscle up. For me muscle up is harder, front lever is something more natural for me

[@teostrong6973]

When he asked what brings in new people, I think of Google map reviews, I choose what gyms to go to based on Google reviews and location

[@rodrigovargas9746]

just re-watched this video a its really useful information!

[@crazuri2]

Can you make a video showing your work out? What do your daily work outs look like before starting the quick muscle up?

[@GeekClimber]

It's usually foam rolling + mobility bar warm up + a few pull ups.

[@nathanhalfman1]

Please make another video of this topics!!

[@luffebassen]

When front lever video attempt Sir ??

[@gal_remec]

When is front lever vid coming?

[@granolacash3340]

In my area, climbing gyms charge $90+ per month for membership. It was always busy there so I would think that they had a decent amount of revenue coming in to cover their costs.

[@slapthesloper]

Before my gym in new york shut down I was paying $150/month and day passes are like 35 which I dont think even includes rental shoes or harness or chalk so insane.

[@thom9455]

Wow that's steep. Here in Amsterdam it's around €48/month

[@MrCmon113]

Petition government to put holds on public buildings.

[@read89simo]

​@@thom9455klimmuur ? Is now around 68euro/month I think

[@Eldar88]

What about gym's courses? My gym makes the most of the revenue from lead or boulder courses.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

Good point, but courses also cost you something because you have to employ a trained instructor.

[@גולייולי]

Bro, why have you stopped to upload climbing content in gym? I look forward for it

[@GeekClimber]

Gym finally opens up recently, so I will be uploading gym climbing videos!

[@This1Person]

Literally Google this last night. Now I have subscribed.

[@0xPUMPCORN]

Great video man, a lot of good information! Thanks to both of you :) And I'm sure you will someday have your own gym if your really want it.

[@julesteyssedre2718]

Super super interisting vidéo thank you for your work !

[@neilbowie4036]

How is your front lever going?

[@thewalla07]

Great and interesting interview, thank you :)

[@ExploreExperienceExpand]

Haha this is awesome I've been enjoying both geek climber content and climber dad. Unexpected to see this interview and provides excellent information. Thanks both!!!!

[@shadoninja]

For future interviews, make sure to record the part where you thank each other and sigh off. It ties a nice bow on the interview!

[@drewjarrell2667]

Why did he get cut off😢😢 I love climber dad would have been great to hear him keep talking

[@LostSolesClimbing]

Auto belays are proving to be an important tool for gyms not only in revenue generation but also in helping with social distancing during these COVID times

[@therootb]

This is a nice conversation, but (and no offense) you should consider having a longer, more in-depth conversation and include one or two people who know how small business operations and marketing work, so they can ask questions and talk about more detailed stuff. I had a billion additional comments, questions, and corrections running through my head.

[@erikbakker1639]

Think you are right, but check out climberdads channel, he has a couple of vids on his business, also one about why he shut his gym down. he's very helpfull and responds to a lot of questions.

[@therootb]

@@erikbakker1639 Yeah, I'm subbed to him and watch his content as well. It's just, for an interview, this was lackluster. You can get so much more if you know what questions to ask and areas to focus on.

[@metalsam666]

That was an awesome video. Again, Geek Climber made a unique video that separated himself from other climbing channel!!!

[@TsvetanVassilev]

Good one, mate :) Kudos

[@pangajackterhor]

Why you didn't continue it. Read the comments we want more!!!! ;) great content!

[@xdlxrd2331]

When is the front lever video coming out ?

[@EAspot]

Hey bro, what with the Front lever? Did y start to train the move or now y dont have enought time? Good luck!

[@leoingson]

There is a massive difference between bouldering and climbing spots, too - time per session, audience (these days), build/maintainance costs..

[@AEClimbingTV]

great episode!!

[@MikePlus]

Are you working on any other bodyweight skills? Maybe front lever or one armed pullup?

[@LukeRockCimber]

I love that Climber Dad wore a tie!

[@BillMullins555]

I hat the fact that clarksville climbing ended up closing

[@kamron_thurmond]

Memberships, daypasses, charge$$$ for gear rentals, and mostly hire teenagers so the pay doesn't have to be to high.

[@musctev]

_casually throws in age discrimination_

[@nikolaslavov3498]

Nah, teens just do it cuz they love it and since they live with parents you can pay minimum wage. Like at my gym half the guys did it for free and the best ones got mininal wage, and they don't care. They just like being helpful in what they love.

[@jeffries848]

Nikola Slavov that’s pretty shitty. If an organization is making money off the work of people that work there they should be paying.

[@alibadra5367]

You learned the front lever or not yet?

[@yuvalnissan2345]

Please do a front lever 🙏

[@Fred-oz3tw]

That dude knows how to make money! He got a Tie on.

[@freedk9]

found this one very interesting! thanks

[@secret5122]

Awesome!

[@jonkrause6714]

Great informative vid & interview. 👍 Makes more sense. I’ve always had thoughts of creating or owning a gym, but would be afraid it’s a “job” and passion for fun may get less? Climbing is a life stress reliever for me so I don’t want it to be another job.

[@almohadaless4433]

is he still learning the front lever?

[@adrianboehm]

awesome video

[@carefulcarrot]

His gym REOPENED IN MAY !?!?!? grrrr Michigan is still closed! :-( We're all so frustrated here!

[@mostevil1082]

Around here they make most of their money from kids birthday parties. To the point that it eventually killed two walls as they started telling the climbers that they weren't welcome because of this and eventually people stopped referring in birthday customers...

[@hellwroughtangel]

So interesting.

[@Toopa88]

Very interesting!

[@caydencheong1583]

god damn the front lever must be really hard

[@natebigg802]

cut cost and weight make your house a climbing gym

[@MrSeandecaire]

bro you and me both!

[@cloudsRniceC0M3]

at my gym membership = #1 the bar = #2

[@whatevernick9110]

DUDE I LOVE SAM. HIS GYM WAS AWESOME. CORONA KILLED IT

[@andresalvarado3923]

Second! Keep up the content Geek!

[@gr.4380]

How do climbing gyms make money? Well the $60+/month subscription MIGHT explain some of it

[@tomriddle2257]

The culture shock.. parking spots. What are those? 😅

[@proustmarketing]

it sounds like this fella needs some guidance in Marketing. Events should not be underperformers... Radio is an extremely effective medium especially for membership based businesses...

[@lateclimbers4192]

It is not easy to earn from climbing gym. Usually it is because of passion.

[@ethandennis8576]

Frontlever?

[@MrTheHegemon]

That ending was way too abrupt!

[@ThemenschMusic]

Holy Shit, that Cut was rude !

[@ajaxanon]

First comment. You rock Geek Climber!

[@GeekClimber]

Glad that you tuned in so promptly!

[@ehoh3246]

Ignore the thumbs down, avoid loans

[@jasdfpasdfakdsjhfa]

Wow, climbing gym owners wear ties now?

[@TornadoGod1]

I haven't watched the video yet, but isn't that a really easy question to answer. Obviously most of the profit comes from gear rental, daily passes/memberships and training lessons/certifications

[@alexzubkov9551]

third haha

[@alexzubkov9551]

looking forward for front lever and more calisthenic videos!

[@GeekClimber]

I am still struggling with the front lever, but I hear you! My next video should be calisthenics related.

[@DIYToPen]

Sorry... His gym opened in 2018, and he is a former gym owner? Does he even have the right to talk about the businesses finances? Seems like a business man and not a genuine climber. Talking like he's an expert.

[@DIYToPen]

@Andy Johnson you his bf?

[@DIYToPen]

@Andy Johnson you're like a simp, for dudes

[@DIYToPen]

@Andy Johnson all I know is you must have started your knob gobbling from an early age.

[@DIYToPen]

@Andy Johnson I can sense the butthurt, but living the life you lead I'm not surprised it hurts

[@DIYToPen]

@Andy Johnson only on the wall