Join the CBJ Community
Traditional media organizations rely on subscriptions and advertising to support the journalists, editors, designers and others that make the publication possible.
Here at the Climbing Business Journal we are trying to do things a little bit different. We strive to provide high quality content without gimmicks. We perform original research and produce content that can’t be found anywhere else, in print or online.
But we do not require a subscription to read our content. Furthermore, while the indoor climbing industry is growing fast, it is a niche industry that cannot support CBJ with advertising alone (although we’re always looking for new companies to advertise with us).
Community Supported Media
That’s why we’ve created the concept of Community Supported Media. We are asking our community of readers to become members of CBJ and support the specialty news coverage you can’t find anywhere else. Think of it as joining a group of like-minded business people devoted to growing and improving the indoor climbing industry. You can become a member of CBJ at any dollar amount or join one of our member circles. After joining our community you’ll feel good about reading CBJ every week knowing that without your financial support CBJ would not be possible.Growth of CBJ
The Climbing Business Journal launched in July of 2013. Since that time we have steadily increased our readership and have become a valuable resource for people in the indoor climbing industry — climbing gym owners, mangers and staff, routesetters, professionals at hold and wall manufacturing companies, and climbers interested in opening their own facility. Here’s some of the praise that has appeared in our inbox or on social media sites:“Just want to say it again … well done on the CBJ. I am impressed with your ability to constantly create great content. It is fun to see what others are doing: it gets all of us to think more creatively and act more decisively.” Chris Warner, Earth Treks President and Owner
“I just wanted to write and say thank you for the CBJ. It is a breath of fresh air that lends a sense of professionalism to our industry.” Anne-Worley Moelter, Movement Climbing + Fitness Owner
“I am really enjoying the insight from @ClimbingJournal of late. Smart analysis of the right questions.” Pete Ward, UBC Pro Tour Managing Partner
“It seems to me like CBJ is not just reporting on the growth of our industry but possibly doing more than any other publication to further it. I’m so motivated by your articles. Thank you.” Ian Powell, Kilter Climbing Grips Owner and Shaper
Join CBJ
If you are a regular reader of CBJ, we challenge you to become a member and help CBJ continue to be the leader in climbing business news.Anchor Simulator Comes to a Gym Near You
The BMC, the British counterpart to USA Climbing, reports that several gyms in England have installed anchor simulators to allow climbers to practice threading lead anchors in a safe environment.
From the BMC article:
To allow this skill to be practiced in safety, the BMC has supplied practice lower-offs to a number of climbing wall’s throughout the country. Each practice station features the two types of lower-off that you are most likely to find at a British sport climbing crag; two bolts linked by chains to a ring, and two rings each on independent bolts.The BMC has taken a great step towards helping climbers make the transition to outdoor climbing and helping climbing facilities meet the demands of their members. Read the full article here: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/practice-lowering-off-a-sport-route-climbing-wall-lower-off
Vertical Endeavors Opens US’s Largest
On August 1st Vertical Endeavors – Glendale Heights will open their doors and became the largest climbing facility in the United States. At an astonishing 45,000 square feet of climbing surface, all within a 42,000 square foot building, VE-GH beats out the current largest gym, Earthtreks – Rockville by 6,000 square feet. With this new addition to their portfolio, Vertical Endeavors has also become the largest climbing gym developer in the country by square foot of climbing space, with a total of 126,350 sq. ft. across all locations, beating out Touchstone’s current level of 117,260 sq. ft. of climbing.
The Glendale Heights location marks the fifth VE climbing facility, all located in Minnesota and Illinois. Nate Postma, Owner of Nicros Climbing Walls, the parent company of Vertical Endeavors has put $4 million into this most recent Chicago-land project.
Glendale Heights by the Numbers Leased building, 36,650 footprint + 5,300 in mezzanine = 42,000 SF Wall Height: 31.5 feet 3,500 sq. ft. of Bouldering 15’ tall boulders 50 staff 10,000 sq. ft. segregated birthday party walls 10,000 sq. ft. training and team area Dedicated crack tower with a 20 foot horizontal hand crack 30 Hydraulic Auto Belays 90 surveillance video camerasAs a requirement of their lease, VE could not raise the roof of their building and had to work with the existing 31.5’ tall ceilings. When Postma went to his design team with the project he said “Look guys, we only have 30’ of height so we got to knock this out of the park…and we did,” he told CBJ. Postma is not worried about a perceived market disadvantage to having 30’ walls. “Why is every body hung up on the size?” he said. “I’ve got a gym [in Minnesota] that is 60’ tall and just across town I have one that is 26’ tall, and the 26’ gym does just fine.” He feels the real question is whether or not the customer has a great experience. “In the end, what is it like to move on the walls? Was it fun, were the routes well set, was the place cheerful, does it have ambient light, is it clean?” he said. Part of this logic is that VE has been successful by catering to both experienced climbers and novices alike. “I know climbers like the height but I’ll tell you what, climbing gyms are not about climbers anymore, climbing gyms are for new comers … If we only had climbers as customers we won’t make it.”