Some people are born to run; some are born to scramble up and down walls and ceilings like a Tokay gecko. Unleash your inner lizard with today's Groupon to climbers' paradise Rockreation. For $45, you get the complete Fight Gravity Series package–a belay class, two rock-climbing technique classes, and a month of unlimited climb time on the faux cliffs, bouldering nooks, and craggy archways (the three classes are standard with a month membership, normally $99). Start on your journey to become one with the rock at either of Rockreation's West LA or Costa Mesa locations. This Groupon includes rental equipment throughout the month.
Climbing at Rockreation is nothing like grappling the plywood-and-plastic climbing walls at a company picnic or building a batting cage in your backyard. Rockreation's walls are covered with state-of-the-art textures that mimic the conditions of real rocks (indentions, protrusions, overhangs, underhangs, cracks, and eagle's nests). Veteran climbers say rock climbing is like running a marathon, but the adrenaline rush comes in shorter, more intense bursts. Indoor climbing is a great way for someone to get started, or a perfect after-work and hail-, snow-, and meteor-shower-proof indoor alternative for experienced climbers who want continuous practice. It's also a great workout that builds up boulder shoulders and promontory pecs.
Rockreation's experienced instructors dote on their new climbers like mother ducks, guiding you safely from rookie to all-star. Your first class will train you in belaying, in which you'll use your own body as a counterweight and safety anchor for you climbing partner. Your next two classes will center around building the basic techniques of rock climbing, especially the function of each piece of safety equipment. You'll learn how to pick your route and use all the little muscles you didn't know you had to wriggle your way to the top. Then you'll be set free for one month of unlimited climbing. Before you know it, your hands will transform into rubber suckers that emit pleasant popping noises as you clamber up, down, and over Rockreation's thousands of square feet of varied climbing terrain.
Reviews
Yelpers give the Rockreation in Costa Mesa four stars; Yahoo! Travel reviewers and more Yelpers give the West LA location 3.5 stars while two parents on ParentsConnect.com give it four:
- This place is the first gym that I have ever rock climbed at and from what I hear, around Orange County, it's the best. I really like the staff there and the routes there are pretty decent. As for like top roping, there's a good amount to climb, but the fun part looks like the lead climbing wall. I spend most of time there on the traverse wall, and I just starting tapering over to the bouldering part. – Nikki T., Costa Mesa location, Yelp
- Love this place, its [sic] my new gym. Everyone is so nice and chill. Loads of cool people who are there to literally catch you when you fall, and cheer you alogn [sic] the way. – Tami R., West LA location, Yelp
- This place is great. Located close to the 405 and the 10 right in the middle of West LA, it's a great workout after spending the day eating too much at all the great restaurants in the area. – Johanan L., West LA location, Yelp
Rockreation
Blaine Eastcott's love of the outdoors is rooted in fond childhood memories of family camping trips. On one such trip, Blaine's teenage self impulsively climbed a 100-foot rock only to soon find himself struck by panic high up on the rock face. He was paralyzed by fear, until a surge of adrenaline gave him the courage needed to scramble the final 10 feet up. This ordeal spurred him to take rock-climbing classes—and eventually led to his current position as the president of Rockreation. His three adrenaline-inducing arenas challenge climbers of all skill levels with more than 28,500 total square feet of climbing terrain, composed of jagged cliffs, bouldering nooks, and craggy archways. The faux-mountain range mimics the conditions of real rocks with indentions, overhangs, and eagle's nests.
The gyms devote one-third of their space to a bouldering area, which blends into a top-rope course fraught with varying angles, and a large lead area with an overhanging arch. Across these angles, passionate instructors with extensive outdoors experience—and a background in conversational mountain goat—guide students through the Fight Gravity program. The three-class series focuses on belaying basics, and progresses through technique instruction and bouldering. They also lead seasonal kids' camps where tiny humans can explore the routes, or plunge on a big swing and zipline. The gyms also have a separate area with machines, traditional weights, and cardio equipment for members who want to not only climb rocks, but also lift heavy ones above their heads.