Good gym! I only bouldered here so can't speak to the top rope or lead climbing. You can tell it's a bit older than the downtown location, but nothing is run down or whatever. A decent minority of routes were missing color grades which seemed like they should've had them- not sure if that's just random climbing team routes or what. Not a big deal though, most were grader, and it did make me try stuff I wouldn't have normally. This+ the color grade system did make it a bit harder to just quickly eyeball how hard sections were when walking around, but probably partly since I'm just not used to color grading and maybe have been coddled by my home gym. At least when I went it felt like a lot of the easier routes were actually in the super overhanging cave bit, so it took a bit to find them since I expected those to be harder. Those are all basically nitpicks though. The main thing is that the routes were really creative and fun, requiring really varied approaches. The people/vibe the gym was clearly consciously trying to foster also seemed super supportive/inclusive. I feel like this would be a great place to really learn how to climb well- the classes they offered seemed great also. Already sad that I won't be able to get back here for awhile since I don't live nearby, there are a bunch of problems I'd really love to be able to come back and work on. So overall definitely a strong recommend. read more

Too many unsupervised children running around in a small gym. Staff was helpful and friendly and talked with parents to try to get them under control but still really not a place for serious climbers. read more

Great routes. Great staff. Everyone is friendly. We had a blast visiting and climbing here read more

Boulders Climbing Gym - East - Gyms Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Phewwwwww the smell of stinky feet hit me before I was even through the door. I'm not sure what Boulders does differently from other climbing gyms that makes it so much more assaulting to the olfactory system...they even have a change-in policy which requires climbers to have shoes on at all times in the climbing area, so what's the deal?! Otherwise, Boulders looks like any other well-kept climbing gym. It is a little on the small side, but I like that bouldering is pretty much allowed anywhere in the gym as long as you are cognizant about how high you go. The crowd seems really low-key and laid-back, which makes climbing - for a clumsy novice like me - a little less nerve-wracking. I believe that they also update the routes every 6 weeks (something that I overheard while climbing on a Sunday morning - which is apparently when they do most of their updating), which is awesome for the regulars!! Groupon has a couple of great options if you are new to climbing and just want to get your feet wet. I just recently redeemed the 5-day punch card which I got for $24, and if I am correct, all punches include a pair of shoes and chalk if you need. :) Now to not look like a clumsy baby panda attempting to scale a wall... read more

Was great and affordable about a year ago! They recently opened a second location downtown (which is awesome because Boulders on the east side was the only climbing gym in town) but they also hiked the prices wayyyy up. It's now a little over $80 a month for a membership when it use to be around $50, and a 10 punch pass is a little under $200. These prices feel more like Chicago or Minneapolis. It was great, and I would love to start climbing again. But seriously can't afford it and $20 for a day pass is ridiculous. Bring your prices down or allow for single gym memberships at a reasonable cost! read more

I recently moved to Madison from the Denver metro area (where the cost of living is higher than Madison) where I paid basically the same price for a membership to a climbing gym with access to 4 locations, all replete with workout equipment, ample affordable climbing classes, yoga and spin classes, and challenging yet accurately rated routes. For Boulders, I pay a lot for inconsistent and frankly sandbagged routes, one partial workout space, terrible lead and top-roping, and far fewer amentities. On many membership plans you can't even rent a harness or shoes for free. The gyms in Milwaukee are cheaper and provide more amenities, better route setting, etc., but they are so far away. If there were other climbing gyms to join in Madison I'm sure many people would switch. Boulders has a monopoly on the Madison climbing community and it shows by the cash-gouging and careless management forced on its members. I go because it's the only option, not because I want to support this business model. All that said, I blame the management and owner. The staff are kind, accepting, and helpful. The place fosters an open and accepting community and that is truly special. It's a shame they can't also provide better services that similarly priced gyms extend to their members. read more

Boulders is a very nice gym for bouldering, not so much for top-roping. The place is expensive, which is why I usually climb at the Sett in Union South. The bouldering route selection is very nice and their ratings are accurate. I've only been twice so I don't know how often they change their routes. Top-roping is a bit of a mess, routes are short and they get way too busy way too quickly. In general the place is really expensive for what it is and I've only been there through discounts. Every night they have some 10$ tickets for certain categories (e.g., students on Tuesdays). They have a 10 punch card for 110 dollars which could be a good idea (doesn't include rental, which I don't need). I'll go back again every other month. read more

This climbing gym is great. Geared more toward bouldering than lead climbing or top roping. This prices are reasonable and the staff is friendly. They reset their routes regularly which is nice. If you go before 4pm Monday-Friday, it's only $10. Whatta deal! read more

Good climbing gym with lockers, reasonable rates, and friendly instructors. They have many different levels for everyone. We saw little kids and older people trying different walls. We went because they had a BOGO deal in the Bucky book. But after our experience, we'll definitely go back again. read more

We like Boulder's. The staff is relaxed, courtesy (they speak to us when we see them out in the community too), and knowledgable without being snooty. 4 stars The process is simple enough. 4 stars The training that the staff provides isn't overbearing and quite pleasant even when there's other folks in the class. 4 stars The kiddie class is smart & time length appropiate. 5 stars The a/c is minimal and it's been a hot summer. 2 stars The locker area and layout is simple/easy/and purposeful. 4 stars The course options/difficulty/design/aesthetics/flow tape to designate a path option in level of difficulty - all of these things are smart. 5 stars The side equipment to work on your abs & pull ups. 4 stars The bell at the top of the 1st run = 5 stars. Not just kids need motivation but it's nice to hear the bell ring to show you've accomplised something. The kid DID NOT like the fact that you have to clip in when climbing the single knotted rope, but I understand it's a liability issue - yet in gymnastics its there so we need the practice. No rating for the kid~ Get a kid Yelp =) Great location in regards to the gym is nearby. So we leave one & practice at the other. 5 stars The low adirondack chairs could go but that's about it. The music is hit or miss. The staff knows good music but the crowd dictates what stays & plays. The cut old school R&B saying it was too slow then flipped to NORAH JONES. WTH~ Did I miss something? The lot gets full after traditional work hours but other than that if you bike in you'll get the BIKE BENEFITS hook up. Oh yeah~ Went with a Group On and staying loyal. But the staff isn't all, "Eww..Groupon. How did you get this? Or "sheessh I hate these." Nope~ Easy breezy. Yoga classes included in membership. Nice message board for sharing everything. It's like an old school gym from what I remember going with my sister. You know before everyone got a tv on each individual piece of equipment (which I love) but this place is social in a nice way. Nothing over the top but each person shares a common interest and conversation is just sparked. OR at least everytime we came through. P.S. When it rains or when the rain is coming and the doors are open - it's like the best smell and feeling because they have an aluminum roof and a screen so it reminds me of Southern Living...sitting on the porch or in the swing smelling fresh rain on the horizon staring out feeling the cool breeze. It's amazing what triggers the memory (e.g. Snorah Jones will do it to you too, lol. Maybe it was my singing along that got the music pulled.) read more

I am a decent climber but don't really have a good place to go when the weather turns sour. I didn't know about this place until about a year ago when some friends turned me on to it. The atmosphere is really laid back. There are quite a few employees that are there to help and they are always friendly. The other climbers often times will also help you out with techniques or if you are having difficulty with a certain route. Opinions are always welcome. Although Tuesday nights are often times busy, Sundays and Thursdays aren't bad at all. I was there very recently and had no trouble at all getting at the routes (both bouldering and belay) that i wanted to do. There is definitely a diverse set of climbs there. There are 5.6-5.10d and bouldering routes up to v5 (I think I saw a v6 at one point). The routes are changing quite often too, so its good to try new ones. The only problem with this is that if you are trying to master a route, it might be gone the next time that you are there. C'est la vie. The only gripe I have with this place is price. It is kind of costly if you aren't a student and can't make it very often. I bought a month pass, but i found a deal for it. That is the only way that I found it to be worth it because I just don't climb enough to have it average below the per time cost. Overall, 4 stars for being a good experience and a great atmosphere. read more

Boulders is a great place to climb whether you're beginner or expert, serious or casual. There are a variety of routes, and they change them up often, so there's always a new challenge. There are plenty of top rope, lead, and bouldering options for all skill levels. The atmosphere is always fun and upbeat, with good tunes playing and friendly, helpful staff. The shop can hook you up with gear, I got a great deal on some shoes during one of their sales. Whether you're already a climber, looking to get into the sport, or just want a fun way to get some exercise, Boulders is great! read more

First time here last weekend. I found the price for the daily pass and rental of harness with a first-time orientation very reasonable at around $14-18 (check their website for latest prices). Even though the place got crowded (with a lot of kids) there were Plenty of walls always available to try at all levels, and the adults there were laid back. Place was chill and I didn't feel intimidated to try everything. They have a high level "bouldering" section away from all the kiddos; which is nice. The only thing I noticed when I first walked in, was the barefoot smell Lol reminded me of playgrounds growing up; and it gets pretty hot in there during the summer. They do have fans in there but- it doesn't help much. I was expecting those two things though, so whatever. I had a lot of fun and I highly recommend going with a friend to help you with the ropes and harness if it's your first time. read more

This place has a variety of bouldering, top roping, and lead routes for an average price. I'd recommend it for newcomers and experienced people alike. A day pass with shoe rental is just under $20. I opted for the monthly pass at $45 and have tried to go twice a week for the past 6 months. They refresh the routes often enough that it keeps the climbs interesting. The staff is friendly and can assist when requested. This gym also has yoga classes quite often. I've gone to a dozen or so with the different instructors. I found that yoga is a great warm-up for climbing and it's a good body stress reliever after spending a long day sitting in an office. I do recommend they get another chalk dust eater (i.e. air filter) because it's gets dusty/stuffy in there. All in all, this is a good spot to go! read more

A bit of a shame no one has reviewed this place in 2 years, since so much seems to have changed in that period of time! First off they have 2 locations now, one on the square which is bouldering only. Personally I prefer climbing on a rope, but the new bouldering place is really swanky and modern, and even though I'm not a very good climber there was plenty to keep me busy and interested. Plus they have showers- It was really nice to rinse off after working hard. I was told by staff that the original location has been remodeled (you can tell from the old pictures of the place vs what it looked like when I was there, too). Maybe it used to stink but I personally didn't notice a smell when I was there, except maybe.. chalk? I don't know what chalk smells like. Anyway people were really friendly, both staff and people just there in the gym, and they even had a cute group of toddlers climbing together in a class. So when they say for all ages dang they really mean it! I was overall really impressed, but I only give 4 stars because I've been to Adventure Rock in MKE and the walls there were waayy taller. Wish the walls here were taller too. read more

At the time of this review I'll have been going to Boulders about twice a week for 5 months or so. For the most part, I like it a lot. I started by taking the climbing 101 class (a great deal by the way) which was really fun. My instructor was knowledgable and encouraging, and I'd definitely recommend the class as a great way to learn climbing basics and meet people near your skill level. Other positive observations: - The staff is helpful and courteous, and has always responded quickly when I've pointed out something like a loose hold. - The people that frequent the gym are friendly, at least all the ones I've interacted with. - The routes are wide ranging in difficulty from simple to very difficult, so almost anyone can get involved. - Both the bouldering and rope routes are interesting and challenging, more so than I've seen at other gyms. - The routes change often enough that even going twice a week I don't have to wait long for something new to try. That said, here's why I'm not going with a full 5 stars. Not always, but sometimes the chalk in the air is quite thick. They have an air filter for the chalk, but it always looks overwhelmed. So I wonder if the air quality wouldn't benefit from either changing the air filters more often or getting a companion filter on the other side of the building. When I was trying to buy my first pair of climbing shoes I decided to give Boulders the business. I wear size a size 13 and wasn't surprised when they didn't have any in stock. I was initially told that my shoes would probably arrive in a couple weeks, but after waiting three weeks and checking in with the staff, I learned that they hadn't even been ordered yet. I got them elsewhere and it was fine, but I feel like certain aspects of the business might be a little disorganized for something like that to happen. Or maybe it was a fluke. Either way if you like climbing or want to start liking it you should give Boulders a go. read more

Very relaxed atmosphere. Its a great place to go when you are first learning how to climb but gets frustrating when you want to advance and get more involved. The courses are shorter and there are few lead routes. In the summer it gets pretty hot and can also get pretty crowded if you go anytime between 5 pm and 8 pm. However, the best option in the area to climb, The Sett at Union South has only one wall and there is always a long wait to climb. read more

The staff was friendly, patient and helpful. My husband and I were first time climbers and the staff member showed us the proper way to use all the equipment and answered any questions we had. The music and general feel of the gym were nice and laid back. I wasn't worried about being embarrassed as a first time climber because everyone just did his or her own thing. The cost is very reasonable. I wish there was a climb free on your birthday perk etc. I would recommend the gym to anyone looking to climb. read more

Great place to climb indoors. Good place to get kids started. Nice air conditioning. Don't take my word for but check it out for yourself! It's a little funny to read reviews complaining about a climbing gym being dirty. First off I've never found this place to be overly dirty for gym. Second, it's a gym where people go to work out and sweat. Third, it's a climbing gym, any dirt actually adds to the unique ambiance. Last time I climbed at Devils Lake I noticed some dirt there too. read more

Saw that there wasn't a new posting/review for boulders in awhile and so here it goes. It's fine climbing gym. I would actually give it 3.5/5. The new downtown location is nice. I think there's been some improvements in terms of staffing trying to be more friendly. I did get a negative vibe initially (1.5 years ago?) but don't see those people anymore or just haven't encountered them recently. They used to have student discount rates but not anymore, making it expensive for students. (Sigh...) The gyms for the most part are well kept and clean. I would say that route levels are kind of wild card in than a V4/5 doesn't feel the same between their two locations. Idk I have mixed feelings about the gym routes but it's fine. They used to have a lot more services like yoga, lead climbing classes but these services are no longer offered or I haven't seen ads for these services anymore. It's a bit annoying especially when increase prices usually means more stuff being offered. I mean if your charging 60-70 dollars from 40 a month there should be more not just in terms of sq ft but service provided in terms of yoga/lead climbing/outdoor climbing offering without having to pay significantly more. It would be great if they had a subsidized offerings for lead climbing classes and yoga classes again on top of having two gyms. But again, It's not planet granite or adventure rock which are much larger chains but aren't in Madison unfortunately. I heard there's gonna be a third location that is mainly top roping which is great but I wish they would have one large location that had a large sq footage of everything. Also, probably means they're going to be another round of membership price increases with the advent of a 3rd gym. I just feel fine climbing here for 2-3 years but do long for those "big gym" amenities. Also the Downtown location parking is challenging at times too and there may not be free parking. I've encountered this issue mostly in the winter tho, summer it's a pleasant bike ride. Overall it's fine not great and at least Madison has 2 climbing gyms. read more

i'm not awesome at being athletic, but i recently got into climbing through some friends of mine. i've been to boulder's only a few times, but i found it nice, clean and friendly. there are a good number of climbing walls, equipment to rent and instructors to help. tuesday night is college night so it's only 8$ for belay-certified climbers and boulder-ers. also, another option for cheap climbing is to go an hour and a half before close (also 8$). in addition, there are classes, party opportunities and a climbing team. *note* the last time i went on college night it was fairly crowded and hard to find a wall (although part of that is because i'm picky about what paths to climb). i don't think this is always the case but it was a little daunting for a beginner-climber. read more

So much cheaper than the climbing gyms I'm used to in CA! But also a lot smaller, a looot smaller! The top rope walls are about half as high and you have to go thru a belaying lesson before they even let you use their ropes (which is weird because almost every rope I saw had a grigri). One of my friends was new to climbing and we said we would show her how to belay and they said it wasn't allowed to even teach her in their facility unless we're actual climbing instructors. I'm sure it's just one of their safety policies but I have never been to a gym like that. Sooo we were limited to only bouldering, not a big deal, but it would have been nice to know that beforehand. But anywho, the routes were pretty fun and the crowd was friendly. I went back a few times during my stay in Wisconsin and even met a few new friends. Would def go back on my next trip to Madison! read more

This gym was terrible. The rentals had tears. No hold had friction everything was scummy and polished. The setting is confusing with different color holds and tape. They set same color tape near each other so it's extremely confusing. Also, all the sets were made for specifically 6 foot tall people or something. Never coming back. read more

Love it. I learned about this through Groupon and fell in love. It's a great place to go after work to let loose and use some muscles.

While affordable, it is incredibly DIRTY. I mean, gross. The floor, the holds are in dire need of attention, all the equipment. ***Visible mold*** on the wall in the workout room. I gave them two stars because the staff was super friendly and the route setting was above average. read more

It's all right but it's pretty pointless to join as a single person because they will not train you to self belay, so you are paying just to boulder unless you can find somebody to belay you. read more

The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. They made sure that I was taught the rope basics,made sure I was safe, and then gave me a wonderful range of challenging climb faces to explore. I would only suggest that you expand when you can, as it gets to be along wait to find a spot to climb. Keep up the wonderful teaching and exploration atmosphere! read more

Having lived in many different parts of the country, I have to say, this is probably one of my least favorite climbing gyms. A few things: 1. It's short. And I know, everybody tells me that it's about the bouldering. But the bouldering cave is still probably the worst/smallest bouldering cave I've seen. 2. It's really dirty. It's gross to walk barefoot anywhere, and let's be honest, at a climbing gym, there are times you need to walk barefoot. The holds could use a cleaning too. 3. It's small. There really aren't that many routes/problems. Furthermore, because of the design of the bouldering cave, anybody on a problem blocks people on all the problems remotely near them. This is somewhat unavoidable in any gym, but this is by far the worst design I have seen for this. 4. All the bouldering is overhanging with very few exceptions. This is fine, but there is a lot of techniques, and cool problems that could be worked on/created not upside down. Plus, when I was recouping a shoulder injury, that basically meant no bouldering at boulders for me. 5. $$$$ Dear god. $14 for a day at a dark, dingy, small gym. Ugh. That price is comparable to the best gyms I have climbed at. And being a student gets you a discount. Barely. 6. So freaking busy. Unless you go in the middle of the day, it's way too packed. Makes me grumpy for having spent $14 to stand around waiting to get on the wall. 7. The staff is very "meh." And further, while there, my friend sprained his thumb really bad. They do not have any ice packs or ice in the building. It's not as if we were looking for medical care. Just ice. What climbing gym doesn't have ice? So why not one star? Because it is climbable. Basically, because boulders is the only option in Madison, I have essentially stopped climbing since I moved here. Climbing is now something that only happens when I can get away to Devil's Lake or Governor Dodge for the day. Bummer. read more

Three years ago, I thought Boulders was a fantastic climbing gym. The routes were varied and changed on a regular basis. Secondly, the staff was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and went out of their way to make Boulders a gym that stood out from the rest. But now, three years later, the climbs are primarily bouldering focused which is fine but they lack creativity and are rarely changed. The main issue with the gym currently, is the staff. The staff is uninviting, lacks climbing insight and will not make much of an effort for the customer. Not to mention, the music is uninteresting and lacks motivation for the climber. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt because there is potential. Let's hope changes are made to the atmosphere of the facility to make it more personal. read more

Bolders is a fine place to go climbing with interesting routes, but has a few drawbacks. First, which other reviewers have mentioned, is the air quality. It is pretty chalky/stinky, and the place would benefit from better cleaning and a better air purification system. Second (and this may just have been the time I visited, as others have commented on the great staff), the gentleman who gave us our tour/first-timer class was awesome, but the other two people working that night seemed to spend the entire night at the front desk looking at their phones, even leaving customers waiting as they were sitting there. It was very unprofessional. Finally, while they have a system to clip in to the walls for beginning climbers, they do not have an auto-belay system. If you're a family visiting with children (as we were), this means that the adults will spend most of their time belaying for the kids, and will not get much time to climb themselves. Personally, I'd rather make the drive to one of the other climbing gyms outside of our area that have auto-belays, allowing the parents to climb once they see that the children are safely clipped in. read more

Excellent bouldering gym. The membership is a fantastic deal (especially if you're a student). Routes and boulder problems are set by experienced setters who keep things interesting and like to put style into their work. Problems change on a regular basis to keep things interesting but not too quickly. Top ropes are set up along with draws for sport climbing. read more

I went here recently with my daughter. A little small compared to the ones around Milwaukee, but overall no too bad. My daughter is at that age where little things bug her and she could not get over the stink of the equipment. Not sure if these are easy to wash or you can just Frebreeze them but something needs to be done. Overall it would be a 4 if not for the stank. read more

I love Boulders. For full discousure I am friends with both the current and the former managers, and am a member. Good problem and route setting, friendly atmosphere, and decent tunes (unless jeremy is in charge of the music Ha!). There seems to be some disagreement on here about whether the staff are friendly or not, but I have never had any issue with that. Don't take my word for it though. Go climb there for yourself, and report back on here. Chris Eggert read more

First time here with my daughter last night. This place exceeded my expectations, staff is extremely helpful! Place has such a vibe, felt very welcome from the start! Here again today, I think we found a new home, highly recommend coming here if you're thinking of gettting into climbing. read more

My daughter who is also a marathon runner was at Boulders Gym on 6/14. She is now in UW Hospital with a "crushed" spine and cannot move from a fall while bouldering. read more

My child is a natural climber. I have zero experience with the sport of climbing, but we dropped in to try it out, and now we are hooked! The environment is supportive, friendly, positive, and welcoming. The instructors always make us feel like we can take on new challenges, and freely share their knowledge. My child is non-competitive by nature, but now enjoys climbing competitively, because the atmosphere at the gym is always so positive - she competes against herself, and always manages to feel good about just trying her best. I feel confident about the safety of the facility and classes - all the staff we have dealt with have always seemed competent and focused. We have visited larger / fancier climbing gyms, but still love Boulders - they have everything we need, and are still expanding. The pricing of membership and what you get seem very much worth it - I have never felt pressured to buy any equipment, or that my level of skill or commitment are are under scrutiny. We always get a great workout, have fun, and feel good about the time, money and effort we spend at Boulders. read more

My 8 year old son has done day camps and a summer week long camp at Boulders and he loves it. This summer he came home telling about the new things he learned each day (the figure 8 loop, self belaying, traversing the wall) and he really liked the 'counselors'. We've also gone as a family and always enjoyed the experience. read more

Boulder's is a good place. Fun bouldering but not great for sport climbing or top roping. Good music, friendly staff.

Boulders is probably the best climbing gym I've been to, and I travel quite a bit for work. Been to probably 30 climbing gyms over the past 3-4 years, some more or less regularly. This gym currently is cleaner and brighter than it has been in a long time. Used to smell like stinky feet, no doubt about it. No more. New floor, paint, and routes/problems regularly changed and interesting and varied. Not sure what Shelly S is talking about, as the staff have always been friendly and helpful to me, at least in the last couple months when i have been going more regularly. Keep up the good work. read more

Relaxed atmosphere. Helpful staff. I took several kids, ages 7-16, and they all loved it. We have been back several times. The staff helped keep the kids climbing safely. Rates are reasonable, since you get to use all their gear and shoes... but I wish they had a cheaper deal for a single family. It is a great activity to do as a whole family, but pricey if you have a large one. read more