HOW IS BOULDERING DIFFERENT FROM OTHER TYPES OF CLIMBING?
Unlike top roping or sport climbing where you have a harness, a rope, and a partner to aid you as you climb, bouldering doesn’t require another person or any expensive gear. All you need is a pair of rock climbing shoes and some chalk. It’s all about using balance, technique, and strength to climb short, but tricky problems. You climb up and you come down, using a sequence of movements to guide you through the crux of the problem.
CAN I CLIMB ALONE?
Absolutely! You don’t need a partner to boulder, you can simply walk in and climb solo. And since it’s not a partner activity, bouldering tends to be a lot more social than other forms of climbing in that you often meet new people to climb with or work on problems with while sharing beta. (Beta = climbing jargon for information about a specific climb.) It’s not unusual to walk in alone and leave with a handful of new best friends!
HOW PHYSICALLY FIT DO I NEED TO BE TO CLIMB?
Anybody can climb! As with any physical activity, the fitter you are the easier it will be and the longer you will last. But no experience or fitness level is required – anyone can walk in off the street and give it a go.
CAN KIDS CLIMB AT THE OVERLOOK? IF SO, WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT?
Kids 5 and older are welcome at The Overlook. However, due to the maturity level needed to safely boulder, the following restrictions are observed:
- Children under the age of 12 are allowed to climb only if they are actively supervised by an adult. The supervising adult must sign a waiver and complete an orientation to The Overlook, and must also be within visual and verbal contact of the child at all times while he/she/they is climbing to ensure that the child is observing the rules of our facility.
- Kids between the ages of 12 and 15 can boulder at The Overlook without supervision only after completing a specific youth bouldering orientation or bouldering class. However, if they do not follow the posted rules they will require supervision.
- No one under the age of 16 may use the fitness equipment at The Overlook.
That said, we will have special events and unique opportunities for non-climbing team members younger than 12 to join in the fun, so follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @ClimbtheOverlook to stay up to date on all of our happenings!
HOW EASY OR DIFFICULT ARE THE WALLS AT THE OVERLOOK?
Anyone can climb on any of the walls that we have, the difficulty is driven by the problems themselves and how our setters set the walls. There are some problems that some people can’t do and others that anyone can do, with some harder problems set on easier walls and some easier problems set on harder walls. The majority of problems are in the V0-V6 range, and each route is tagged at the start indicating its difficulty level, any special instructions, and the person who set it.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLIMB?
You can climb as much as or as little as you want. Just listen to your body, it will tell you when you need a break.
IS THERE ANY EQUIPMENT REQUIRED?
Our only requirement is that you wear climbing shoes, which we have available for rent or purchase if you don’t own a pair. We also strongly recommend chalk for your hands as it will aid in maintaining your grip on the holds, but it’s not mandatory. Chalk and chalk bags are also available for purchase at The Overlook. We recommend flexible clothing, but whatever is comfortable to you is what you should wear.
HOW LONG DOES A CLIMBING SESSION TYPICALLY LAST?
As long as you want it to or as long as your body allows! Most sessions average around 1.5 hours, but some people pop in for a quick climb on their lunch break while others stay for hours on end because they’re training. It’s completely up to you. You’re welcome at The Overlook for as long as you want to be here.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Typically, our walls are first come first served with no reservations required, we only ask that you display climbing courtesy and respect anyone who is waiting to attempt a problem before you. Please note that due to COVID-19, we will adjust this system as necessary in order to maintain a specific capacity and keep our members safe. Please follow our social media platforms for regular updates.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON INJURIES? WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST RISKS?
Injuries to the wrist, ankle, knee, and joints are the most common, while falling to the ground, falling on people below you, or having someone fall on top of you are the biggest risks.
IS ANY KIND OF SAFETY TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE I CLIMB?
Everyone who climbs at The Overlook must first complete an orientation, which includes a lesson on best practices to minimize injuries as well as a demonstration of how to fall.
WHAT KIND OF SUPERVISION IS PROVIDED WHILE PEOPLE ARE CLIMBING?
For the most part, bouldering is unsupervised. However, staff is always on site, both at the front desk and regularly walking through the gym.
WHAT KIND OF HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING IS REQUIRED OF THE GYM STAFF?
All of our staff members are trained in first aid and at least one staff member on duty is trained in CPR. Additionally, The Overlook maintains a robust first aid kit and has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site.
WHO SETS THE PROBLEMS? HOW OFTEN DO THEY CHANGE?
We have a route-setting team in charge of setting our problems, and we aim to reset the entire gym every 6 weeks.
DO I HAVE TO STICK TO DESIGNATED ROUTES?
There are no rules, it’s completely up to you. However, problems are purposefully set in hopes of forcing certain movements, so we recommend that you follow the designated route.
DO YOU OFFER CLASSES?
Yes! Please check out our class offerings here.
HOW MUCH DOES A MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP COST? DO YOU OFFER PASSES OR PACKAGES?
You can find details regarding all of our membership options here.
CAN I FREEZE MY ACCOUNT?
Yes, you may freeze your account provided that you pay a $10/month freeze fee.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?
| Monday | 6 AM – 10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM – 10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM – 10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM – 10 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 10 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
Hours are subject to change based on demand.
IS THE OVERLOOK A BOULDERING GYM ONLY?
Climbing is definitely what The Overlook is all about! However, in addition to fitness classes, we also have an area with free weights, treadmills, rowers, barbells and other gym equipment.
DO YOU HAVE A YOUTH CLIMBING TEAM?
Yes! We have both recreational and competitive climbing teams.
ARE YOU HIRING?
Please see our employment page for available positions. We are always taking applications but not always hiring for all positions listed.
WHAT MAKES THE OVERLOOK DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOULDERING GYMS IN ATLANTA?
The Overlook is the first bouldering gym on the West Side of Atlanta and the only one located along the Atlanta BeltLine. We have breweries, restaurants, and specialty shops all just steps away, making The Overlook a destination, not just a gym.
The Overlook was founded on three principles: Climbing, Community, and Connection.
CLIMBING: At The Overlook, we love to climb and we live to climb, and we are dedicated to making climbing accessible to everyone. Be it a first-timer or a seasoned pro, we want every person who walks through our doors to experience our enthusiasm for the sport through both our knowledgeable staff and our welcoming environment. To accomplish this, we hire employees who are not only passionate about climbing, but who sincerely care about the member experience. We provide them with the training and motivation they need to give great customer service, while also offering our members the instruction and support they are looking for in order to ensure a safe and friendly climbing experience.
COMMUNITY: While climbing is the foundation of The Overlook, community is the heart as people are the key to everything we do. From our staff to our gym members, we strive to create and maintain an all-inclusive environment where members of The Overlook community are empowered to use their individual strengths to achieve collective goals. We treat each other and our customers as though we are serving our family or friends, and we respect and embrace one another’s unique talents and differences. We never discriminate against anyone based on race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, fitness level, socioeconomic status, or disability. Our hope is to be an inviting, people-driven gym, where folks come together not only to climb, but to enjoy the social energy that goes with it. We want everyone to feel welcome at The Overlook and to join us in building a unique and diverse community through climbing.
CONNECTION: Through our passion for climbing and our focus on community, we endeavor to connect people through our excellence in: route setting, instructional programs, creative group programs, community outreach, and safety management. We want The Overlook to be a place where people connect to self as well as to others, and where Atlanta’s beautifully diverse cultures come together as one.
Get more ideas on what to do on the Kayak Atlanta Travel Guide !