As a follow-up to the rock climbing gym question--special only for today

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

A friend who knows of my interest to try rock climbing pointed me at this groupon for the Boston Rock Gym (and someone else posted to the last post, but I expect most folks aren't going to go looking back at it without provocation so here it is):

http://www.groupon.com/boston

Essentially, for $40, you get an intro class and one month unlimited use. If there is interest, maybe we could start a Davis Square car pool out there? Just a thought.

Now I just have to figure out where I can get a pair of second-hand shoes (not wanting to plunk down $100 for a new pair til I've done it for a few months and know how much I like it. Suggestions on where to find them in the Davis Square area welcome).

Comments

[thespian.livejournal.com]

spinrabbit and I shared the livingsocial rock climbing thing a week or two ago, so I'm chock full of rock climbing potential right now.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

livingsocial rock climbing thing? Care to elaborate? In or near Davis Square/Somerville/Cambridge?

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

If I didn't just break my leg I would totally buy this. I've been to this place several times before for Ladies Night climbing when it cost $7 for rentals & climbing. I always had a great time.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Oof--so sorry about the leg.

Is Ladies Night once per week there or something?

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

Thanks.
As for Ladies Night - It used to be there every Thursday I think. It was every week.

[thespian.livejournal.com]

erk, it was a buywithme. it's gone now, sadly, but you can scope what it was here: http://www.buywithme.com/boston/deals/178

I pretty much check groupon, buywithme and livingsocial every morning, because well, as you know, total bargainhound ;-)

[jenskot.livejournal.com]

I just bought it! :) (I'd looked at the $30 deal for the gym near Hyde Park through buywithme, but I snoozed) I work near Woburn so I'd commute from there, but I'd definitely be interested in finding some partners, especially once the coupon runs out and I'm reduced to exclusively Ladies Night.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Frak. Would have loved that. If you see any more rock-climbing specials, please poke me with the info if you think of it?

Climbing shoes

[acidgalore.livejournal.com]

In most rock climbing gyms you are able to rent equipment and shoes (I don't know if they do that at Boston Rock Gym, pretty sure they do).
If you want to buy something second-hand, I would recommend looking at the message posting boards at the Boston Rock Gym or Metro Rock, lots of people post there to sell gear, shoes, etc.
Sometimes you can get good discounts for new shoes at REI or EMS (there's an EMS store in Harvard Sq)
One thing I would definitely NOT recommend is buying something you haven't tried on first. Climbing shoes are very peculiar, each model has a very different fit/feel. Also, if you wear, say, size 7, that does not mean that a size 7 climbing shoe will fit (btw, they are supposed to feel tight, but there's a fine line between tight and uncomfortable).

Re: Climbing shoes

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

That is excellent advice! Many thanks:)

[ron_newman]

Long ago, Boston Rock Gym was at Central St. and Highland Ave. in Somerville, in the old Central Theatre building. They were driven out around 1994 by a fire, I believe. Here's a photo from that location, and a Sports Illustrated article from 1990, which says they were the first indoor rock-climbing gym east of the Rockies.