FAQs
Here is a list of the questions we hear from our customers most frequently. If you’re having trouble finding any information about our gym on our website feel free to contact us directly.
I’m interested in climbing but I’ve never done it before. What can I do to get started?
Does everybody need to sign a waiver?
Do you have equipment rentals at the gym?
Does the gym offer training classes?
Does the gym have memberships?
How can I start climbing on the ropes?
I’m belay certified at other gyms. Can I use the ropes at BKB?
Does the gym have anything to do besides climbing?
What kinds of discounts do you offer at BKB?
What kinds of climbing does BKB offer?
Do you have a bulletin board to find climbing partners?
I’m interested in buying my own equipment. Where can I go?
How often are routes and problems changed?
I want to top rope or lead climb but don’t have a partner. What can I do at BKB?
Is BKB available for birthday parties?
What does all the different colored tape mean?
What belay devices do you guys accept?
I’m interested in climbing but I’ve never done it before. What can I do to get started?
Brooklyn Boulders is a great place to get started climbing. If you can climb a ladder you can climb our walls. We have climbs ranging from easy to advanced, and plenty of training packages to help you become knowledgeable and proficient. No experience and no reservations are necessary. All you have to do to start is walk in our doors and ask our staff for help. We promise to fit your rock climbing trip to your level of experience so that you have the most fun possible in our gym. Back to top
Does everybody need to sign a waiver?
Everyone entering the gym must fill out, sign, and initial our liability waiver. We keep all of our waivers on file and stored in our database, so you only need to fill it out the first time you come to BKB. Kids under the age of 18 must have their waiver signed by an adult. Waivers will be provided when you enter the gym, or you can download our waiver online here. Back to top
Do you have equipment rentals at the gym?
We rent shoes, harnesses, and chalk bags in the gym. For prices, click here. Back to top
What should I wear?
We encourage you to wear athletic apparel. Climbing requires movement and flexibility so wear clothing that you might consider appropriate for running or yoga. That said, many of our climbers wear jeans, so don’t be discouraged from bringing clothing that feels comfortable. We recommend that you wear socks with our rental shoes. Back to top
Does the gym offer training classes?
The gym offers a variety of classes for beginners, and even for experienced climbers. Our most popular offering is the Learn the Ropes course, which teaches top rope safety and belay technique. We also offer our BKB University class, run by our expert setters, which teaches climbing technique to both beginners looking to get started and advanced climbers looking to refine their skills. We also offer a lead climbing class and daily yoga classes. More information can be found on our classes page. Back to top
What is the day pass?
First timers often buy a day pass so they can try out our gym and get a feel for rock climbing before committing to a membership. For the price of a day pass you can climb as long as you want before we close that day. Our regular day pass does not include an equipment rental. Any type of climbing is available to customers who buy a day pass, the only restrictions are based on certification requirements. More information on pricing and availability can be found here. Back to top
Does the gym have memberships?
We have all sorts of memberships, from one-month to lifetime. Our members get special perks at the gym, like guest passes, reduced price admission to events, and free yoga classes. For a list of membership types click here. Back to top
Where is your gym?
Our gym is located at 575 Degraw St. in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn. Directions to BKB can be found here. Back to top
Is there parking nearby?
There is street parking on Degraw St. out front of our building. We ask that you please respect our neighbors’ driveways and watch out for the fire hydrants. Back to top
How can I start climbing on the ropes?
Anyone can climb on our top roping walls, but only people who have been belay certified at Brooklyn Boulders can belay on top rope. Click here to get certified. Back to top
I’m belay certified at other gyms. Can I use the ropes at BKB?
Brooklyn Boulders does not accept belay certification from other gyms, but getting certified here is quick and easy. Simply ask one of our staff members about it and take a belay test. Then you will be entered into our computer system as belay certified and given a belay card to keep on your person. We also require that you be certified here for any lead climbing or lead belaying in the gym. Click here to get certified. Back to top
Is the gym kid-friendly?
Kids are awesome at climbing, and BKB is open to all climbers age 3 and above. All small children (under 14) should be accompanied by an adult. Also, to take our Learn the Ropes and our Learn to Lead classes you must be 14 years or older. Back to top
What can my kids do here?
We have a special kids wall in our facility, which features easy roped climbing for children. Kids are also welcome to climb our regular bouldering walls and top rope walls, always with adult supervision. We are currently offering Kids Adventures, birthday parties, and many other kids options. Back to top
Does the gym have anything to do besides climbing?
The gym also offers yoga and pilates classes. The classes are free for members, with a small $5 fee for each class for non-members who want to attend. We also have a slackline set up for your use, and we are currently offering slackline classes. Back to top
What kinds of discounts do you offer at BKB?
Children (under 18), students all receive discounts on day passes and memberships. We also offer group discounts. Back to top
What kinds of climbing does BKB offer?
We offer bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing. Our expert setters have designed routes for climbers of all abilities, from beginner to expert. Back to top
Do you have a bulletin board to find climbing partners?
BKB endorses www.ClimbFind.com, which functions as our online bulletin board. Climbfind is a social networking site for the climbing community, where you can create a profile and communicate with other climbers in your area to find partners and plan trips. BKB has its own page, where our patrons can message each other and post updates on trips to the gym and to outdoor locations. The website is free and easy to use. Back to top
I’m interested in buying my own equipment. Where can I go?
BKB has a ProShop that carries shoes, harnesses, chalk, chalk bags, crash pads, ropes, and other climbing equipment, as well as apparel and climbing accessories. Back to top
How often are routes and problems changed?
Our routes are reset in a cycle, and our setters are constantly working on creating new climbs. Climbs on the bouldering walls stay up for about a month, and top rope and lead climbs stay up for about two months. This ensures that the routes are consistently fresh, but leaves you enough time to project routes at your highest level of climbing. Back to top
I want to top rope or lead climb but don’t have a partner. What can I do at BKB?
We have extensive bouldering for those of you climbing solo. However, our gym members are really friendly and meeting a climbing partner is always an option. Additionally, our staff is available for paid belay assistance. Back to top
Is BKB available for birthday parties?
Yes, we throw birthday parties here all the time. We have a kids wall and party area, and we provide staff belayers to help your kids climb. Back to top
What does all the different colored tape mean?
The colored tape on the walls marks our climbing routes. To follow a route you restrict the holds you use to hand and foot holds marked with a certain color tape. All of our routes are graded for difficulty, meaning that beginners can find easier routes to practice on, and more advanced climbers can always find more climbs to challenge themselves with. Back to top
What belay devices do you guys accept?
Our top ropes are already fitted with grigris for your use. Lead climbing requires that you bring your own ATC, but the gym does provide rope. Back to top
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the gym. The one exception is our unofficial mascot, Ophelia, whom you may meet when you visit. Back to top
