Central Rock Gym
Cambridge, Watertown, Boston, MA
Specs: Central Rock Gym (CRG), one of the most prolific climbing gym developers on the East Coast and second largest U.S. climbing gym chain, is planning a very busy 2022. Currently operating 15 facilities across four states, CRG’s Boston area gyms will be getting three new neighbors this year: Harvard Square in Cambridge, Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and Fenway in Boston. All three gyms are tentatively planned to open in the summer or early fall of 2022 and will bring CRG’s gym count in Massachusetts to 12.
According to initial information from CRG, increased traffic and worsening commute times in the Boston metro played a factor in the initial planning for the new gyms, as well as the desire to target unique sub-markets within the metro. CRG offers +225,000 square feet of climbing across its preexisting gyms, and the planned Boston gyms will add an additional +25,000 square feet of climbing and new fitness amenities to the CRG network. The gym’s website also noted that all CRG locations will continue to be accessible with a single gym membership.
The Harvard Square location will be CRG’s newest bouldering gym, with walls reaching 15 feet and 12,800 square feet of bouldering. Other features include a 2000-square-foot yoga and event room, fitness and cardio equipment, and “plenty of lounge space for work, study, and relaxation,” reads the gym’s website. The gym is also located on the Red-Line, within proximity to Harvard campus and various nearby restaurants.
CRG’s second planned gym, Arsenal Yards, will be located two miles from CRG’s initial Watertown facility and will contribute 5,000 square feet of roped climbing, with walls ranging from 20 to 40 feet and roughly 15 auto belays. According to Joe Hardy, co-founder of CRG, “This will add 50 more rope stations to the Watertown climbing community (bringing the total to 200 stations) and provide more rope climbing on the bike path, but 2 miles closer to Boston/Brookline/Allston/Cambridge.” Besides climbs for all ages, Arsenal Yards will also offer youth and training programs, to further supplement CRG’s offerings in Watertown.
Located on Beacon street, CRG’s planned Fenway gym―situated not far from the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park―will be bouldering focused with 10,000 square feet of climbable walls reaching 15 feet. Additional features include yoga classes, cardio and fitness equipment, and a lounge. Per the gym’s website, “This location, just one block away from the Kenmore T-stop, creates an easy walk or bike commute to anywhere in Back Bay, Boston University, or Fenway.”
Walls: Walltopia
Flooring: Cascade Specialty for Harvard Square and Fenway; Cascade/Dollamur for Arsenal Yards
CRM Software: RGP at all locations
Website: centralrockgym.com
Instagram: @CentralRockGym
In Their Words: “The three new locations will allow our members to have more climbing options, and provide convenient climbing to some of the few remaining Boston areas without any…We love investing in the Boston area because our members love the network of gyms that we have created and visiting multiple locations each month. These three new locations will give CRG members 10 gyms in the Boston area with several hundred rope stations, and thousands of feet of bouldering to enjoy! We are excited to announce more gyms in the Boston and Northeast area in months ahead!” ― Joe Hardy, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Central Rock Gyms
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