New Elev8 Climbing + Fitness Gym Coming to the “Big Mitten” State

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A climber himself, Vlach teamed up with OnSite to bring the experience to Traverse City. With 9,600 square feet to work with, the design inside the gym was carefully crafted to maximize the presence of the space.
Rendering of the new Elev8 Climbing + Fitness gym
The new Elev8 Climbing + Fitness gym will be the first of its kind between Michigan’s more populous cities and the Mackinac Bridge further north. (Image courtesy of OnSite)

Elev8 Climbing + Fitness
Traverse City, Michigan

Specs: 10,600-square-foot, full-service facility is being built from the ground up and will offer 6,000 square feet of climbing surface. One fixture of the gym is a 34 x 24-foot, south-facing window that lights a 40-foot lead/top-rope wall and 10-meter speed lane. A mezzanine above the bouldering wall provides a panoramic view of the space and will be used for introductory classes. Additional fitness opportunities like weights, cardio and general fitness equipment, yoga and other group classes will also be provided at the gym.

Elevate Climbing Walls

 

Elev8 Climbing + Fitness is currently the sole commercial climbing gym listed on CBJ’s map in the northern half of Michigan’s lower peninsula. The new addition to the “Big Mitten” state is situated on Traverse City’s newly-branded “Health and Fitness Corridor.” According to founder Kevin Vlach, the facility is flanked by three long-standing bike shops and a bike trail, within walking distance to restaurants and breweries, just a few blocks from downtown and “will be a core component of [the] small town’s vibrant offerings.”

Design of the building exterior and south-facing window
A climber himself and previously living in Colorado, Vlach hopes to share the climbing experience with residents of Traverse City, his hometown. (Image courtesy of Vlach)

Walls & Flooring: OnSite
CRM Software: Rock Gym Pro
Website: elev8climbing.com
Instagram: @elev8climbing

In Their Words: “Our facility and brand has been built with a central focus on safety, community and growth. We aspire to have our top-tier climbing and fitness facility engage the area youth, be a healthy gathering space for families, promote inclusion and camaraderie, and act as the region’s hub for outdoor enthusiasts by actively building community, providing quality climbing experiences and teaching environmental stewardship.”
—Kevin Vlach, Founder