Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria (5308 Eisenhower Ave, VA 22304)
About:
A center with 18,000+ sq. ft. of climbing & bouldering walls, plus a gym, yoga studio & lessons.
Sportrock Climbing Center is located in Alexandria (Virginia state) on the street of 5308 Eisenhower Ave. If you want to ask about something we recommend contacting this place by phone. The Phone number is +1703-212-7625. You can get more information from their website: https://sportrock.com/. The coordinates that you can use in navigation applications to get to find Sportrock Climbing Center quickly are 38.800983, -77.125992. Scroll down to find out opening hours, reviews and other important information about Sportrock Climbing Center.
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Available amenities
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Serenna
I have been bouldering at SportRock Alexandria on and off for a few years, however I had a disappointing experience recently: I recently started top roping a few months ago at my current gym. I wanted a change of scenery so I took my gear over to SportRock Alexandria. I got there expecting to have to take the Belay Test as you do at any new gym. I was all strapped in and had my GriGri and locking carabiner because I knew at SportRock they don't provide belay devices to use and are expected to use your own. SportRock does not allow you to take the belay test using your own device despite being expected to bring and use you own device while climbing in the gym. I use the GriGri device and was trained on this device a few months ago as I just started top roping, but was asked to take the belay test using and ATC device, which I won't be using while climbing at the SportRock facility. Why wouldn't they want to ensure I am using my belay device safely? The owner offered me a free 2 hour intro class to learn how to use the ATC... The Alexandria gym is big and well kept, however the staff is not very welcoming or helpful to new climbers.
11.2022Michael
We are from the West Coast where climbing is more prevalent (and friendly) . My wife and I were scouting this gym for membership, and the front was too busy to give us a tour. They gave is permission to look around ourselves. That was fine. However, a climber took it upon themself to scold us, and claim this was “a professional gym “ as we were scouting around. Couple things to note, the climbers here are self-proclaimed “professionals”, but have no idea on how to mitigate turns, or even courteous route sharing. Laughable operation due to not setting/ enforcing rules…and even more laughable considering the self-proclaimed “professionals” who are taking it upon themselves to scold newcomers looking for a community. It’s worth mentioning, we are better climbers than the self-proclaimed “professional”, but do not feel the need to title ourselves in such a normally open and accepting community. Hopefully this will give you an idea on why we decided not to open up a membership account here. In short, the routes are hectic due to no organized system of turns, and the gym lacks community, as the climbers put too much emphasis on who better.
10.2022Con
If you're coming here just once I get how it might be frustrating to do the certifications but if you're a regular and you get the certifications out of the way its a great place to climb, with a good range of boulders and top rope challenges, although I mainly stick with bouldering. They got a new routsetter recently who may have sandbagged one boulder but thats hardly an issue. Great place, love coming here.
10.2022Rhys
Went for the first time last week to check it out since I am moving to DC soon. Had a great time and was really impressed by the route setting and height of the walls. 60 feet really gets you pumped when you're used to shorter walls! I also like that the grades seem to be consistent and perhaps a hair on the stiffer side, which I prefer. Sean was the staff member that checked us in and did our belay checks, and was very friendly and helpful throughout. Looking forward to starting a membership soon and getting to know the community!
08.2022Tayeba
This is our favorite climbing gym! The vibe is always great and relaxed and the staff are friendly and quick to help. My husband and I make the 1.5 hr drive from st mary’s county at least twice a week. The problems are exciting and the 60 ft wall area is a unique experience. The owner Lillian Chao is also such an inspiring force for the community and always happy to chat. Wish it had a bigger gear shop but overall we love this space!
07.2022Nicole
Spoke to someone on the phone before making the trip and was told we could do a day pass, I mentioned my daughter was turning 5. The person on the phone was helpful and I felt optimistic about my child trying something new. We arrived after the almost hour drive and was told since she was not officially 5 (shes 2 weeks away) she could not do the day pass. So now after the kid has seen inside and became super excited she was very disappointed and ontop had to get back in the car for another almost hour. The facilities seem nice. But first time just do a class or just officially be 5 for the parents looking into it. Also to note It does not feel very beginner friendly, when we talked about rental options I mentioned it being our first time and he wasn't warm about it, no explanation or quick overview just "what do you need" . They were busy so maybe they just have enough regulars they dont need to inspire new people to the sport.
07.2022Michael
I've been loving Sportrock, it's great exercise and you don't even realize you're exercising. They keep the climbing walls relatively fresh with updates, but not so fast that you feel like you need to hurry and climb a route before it gets removed. In addition to lots of climbing opportunities (they have 3 separate bays with a lot of climbing options), they have weights/aerobics equipment as well as a yoga room/classes and other health related classes. The staff has always been great. Genuinely like that I found this place.
06.2022Tim
Well the facility is big and well-done, but the staff was awful. This place isn't welcome to beginners or if you are getting back into it after a gap, unless you are paying for a course. Within minutes of getting there, just giving a quick refresher to ourselves while we changed shoes because it's been a minute since we climbed, but one the staff came up to snark-ily ask my wife "if she is staff" - obviously not. And that under no circumstances can she give any pointers for fear of the liability, to which we already sign a waiver... So rude, but it's fine - so we just went to take the belay test. My wife passed, and mine was fine, as I tried to understand the directions of the incoherent mumbling of the staff member, who then said it was fine, except I had something in my belay form that was a tad sloppy, but couldn't tell me what it was, because it could be construed "as instruction" which is apparently forbidden here. So he had to deliberate with the staff. Then they said, "we are going to have to decline me only, because you were doing a practice before" Then they said we could come back tomorrow (what does this change?). So it's pretty embarrassing to have to turn everything back in, for a reason I'm not told, and then the mumbler tried to suggest a partial refund... Not sure what he expected to keep any of the money for. All in all, there is a very welcoming and friendly climbing gym like 15 minutes away, where we had a great day.
06.2022Jon
I’ve been twice with my family for the beginner rock climbing course. The first class was with B and the second class was with young Xavier. We had a fantastic time both times. The staff and course instructors are very friendly and approachable. They do a good job of easing you in and they’re very patient, even if you’re scared of heights. We highly recommend anyone to go. If you’re lucky you might even get B or Xavier!
05.2022Daniel
Wife and I came in on a Sunday morning for a fun and active climb. We had a great experience, both with the staff and the facilities. Equipment was in good shape, and all of the walls were well kept. Our instructor was amazing, very relaxed and he never pushed us more than we wanted on the walls. The climbs are great and offer a ton of varying difficulty from never climbed to bouldering and clip in climbing. The 60ft walls are something to behold at first, some of the tallest on the east Coast. We did a 1.5 hr session, and were pretty tired by the end (roughly 5 climbs or so with a group of 3). Definitely will be coming back. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn to climb, or just have a fun and active afternoon!
01.2022