Vertical Rock Climbing & Fitness Center

We took our boys, ages 9 & 4 to try indoor rock climbing for the first time. They loved it! Our instructor Casey was great, very patient and friendly. My older son flew up the wall while my younger son made great progress as well. We will definitely return again and will be looking at a membership for our oldest. We also booked his birthday party which was also a good price!

I’ve tried climbing gyms once or twice before in Texas, but this was my first time rock climbing in Northern Virginia. And to contrary the indoctrination that came with my Texas upbringing, everything is not bigger in Texas. I was shocked by how massive Vertical Rock’s facilities were! We went on a Saturday afternoon, and there were tons of people there, including what appeared to be a very popular child’s birthday party, but there was still plenty of open space to climb, and plenty of staff on hand to assist my group.
The one thing I found annoying was that they didn’t have any waivers available to sign (their website said they would have these), so we had to use the pretty crappy mobile site with our phones, and it took a really long time.
The facilities were pretty bare bones, but fine. The bathrooms were clean. They have lockers out in the open, but no real locker rooms.
I had the impression that all rock climbing places would just take your word for it if you tell them you know how to belay, since that’s how it’s done in Texas. But Vertical Rock was very safety conscious, and that’s probably a good thing if you’re going to start a hobby where you could fall to your death fairly easily. It costs quite a bit more ($ 20 for three climbs) if you don’t know how to belay, but that’s because they have their staff do it for you. Their 3-​hour intro class that teaches you how to climb and belay is very reasonably priced, or you can just take a test if you already know how to do that.
Overall, my friends and I had a great time at Vertical Rock, and all of us who liked climbing plan to go back.

I brought my two boys here for The Friday night Kids open climb. My oldest, 5, had such a wonderful time learning how to climb. The staff member who helped him, Liz, was patient and kind to him (as he was a hyper, excited child!). The staff even geared up my toddler in case he wanted to try (he didn’t, but they were encouraging!).
I was impressed by the facility, which was clean and professional without discouraging us newbies from giving it a try. We will be back!

Came here because we saw a livingsocial deal for a two hour intro class and an hour of climbing. We came in a group of 10 (all first time belaying). The class ended up being 18 people! Apparently, classes are usually much smaller (around 4 – 5 people).
Our instructors Shawn and Danielle were wonderful and gave really clear instructions on exactly what to do. Even with such a large class we were able to learn the knots, lingo, etc with ease. Sean explained each process, walked us through it once and then had us do it by ourselves. They kept us engaged and were patient when we made mistakes. Sean and Danielle were a huge part of making this first time belaying a great experience.
After the class, they paired us up and had us each practice climbing, belaying, and falling once under their supervision. Once we passed we were free to climb and belay for each other the rest of the night. Our group had lots of fun and we all plan on returning another time!
Also, learned that climbing shoes aren’t essential safety climbing equipment so if you don’t want to rent shoes then you can wear your own close-​toed shoes.

I came across this place after searching for an indoor rock climbing center. My parents filled out the E-​Waiver online. This was very helpful since I am 17. The check in process was very quick and efficient. I did not have to wait a long time before I got to free climb. The belayer I had was very helpful and guided me to success. I believe her name was Anna. She was very outgoing and knew what she was doing. She made my first experience climbing a memorable experience. I will definitely be sharing my experiences I had here with my family and friends. I also cannot wait to come back here in the future!

I’m a member here and they haven’t changed the routes in about 2.5 months. Additionally, they removed about 15 routes for a bouldering competition. So if you like bouldering, this is your place. Top roping, not so much.

Took the learn the ropes course and came back a week later to get certified and buy gear. Sean went above and beyond to help us both times, providing excellent customer service and very clear instructions. Will definitely recommend friends to join based on the experience of our last few visits.

Great gym and the staff is extremely helpful.

I competed at the 2015 Boneyard Bouldering competition and had a great time! The staff were super friendly, and who can be mad about free chicken tenders? Boulders were sick and I’d definitely come again for another competition!

I had a very poor experience at this climbing gym. I recently attended their citizens bouldering competition. When registering for the competition, they advertised that food and beverages would be served. However, no food or beverages were provided. On top of this, there was supposed to be a raffle partway through the competition, and they charged five dollars per raffle ticket. They failed to even have the raffle drawing that night with no explanation provided, other than the owner told them not to do it. My thinking is that they didn’t sell enough raffle tickets so the owner decided to not even do the raffle drawing so as to avoid giving out the prizes. I drove an hour to the competition, I was not going to drive another two hours just to collect my prize.
On top of all this there was one employee working behind the front desk all night who provided incredibly surly and rude customer service. Upon asking when the food would arrive, I was simply told someone else messed up and there wouldn’t be anything provided. Again when I asked this employee about the raffle, he simply shrugged his shoulders and blamed it on the owner. He made no attempt to explain or remedy either situation. They charged all of us $ 20 to 30 to register for the competition, the least they could have done was order a few pizzas when they realized that they had screwed up with the food.
I would hate to cast dispersions on the whole staff however, the organizer of the competition was great and tried to keep everyone excited throughout the comp. Many of the other employees were also very friendly and accommodating. The only terrible employee was the tall guy working behind the counter all night, never got his name.

It was my boys’ and cousin’s first time as well as mine in about 14 years. We had a great time with Shawn, Shaun, Sean, or however you spell his name (Sorry…) It was that, right? …
Thank you for being so patient with us! Will definitely be back and hopefully better prepared next time. Despite the crying and tears, my boys had a great time and can’t wait to go back!!!

Thank goodness for Vertical Rock, a rock climbing gym that has no age limit. I have been searching for a long time for a place that would allow my 2-​year-​old to climb AND have the right equipment for kids. We celebrated my son’s 7^th birthday at Vertical Rock (a miracle in itself since a year earlier he was petrified of rock climbing) and my 2-​year-​old was the first one up the wall. She inspired many of the other kids in our party who were not so sure about climbing to fall in love with it. Even other toddlers to try for the first time that day.
Vertical Rock is enormous, clean, well-​designed, and perfect for families to experience milestones together. I love the range of programs offered from indoor to outdoor rock climbing, yoga, cardio-​boxing, krav maga, jui jitsu, thai kick boxing, etc…
Throwing a party at Vertical Rock made my life easier. My favorite was their party favors (beautifully crafted T-​shirts) that you can offer your guests. The upstairs area is very large and has a private bathroom and refrigerator and microwave too. And the staff were so friendly that they even offered to help us clean up.
Stay tuned for an article I’m writing about this incredible gym @lesliehsuoh !

I visited Vertical Rock because I was in the Manassas area for work. After I left the gym I realized I forgot my gear, roughly $ 150 worth of items (5.10 teams, chalk bucket, brush, carabiners). I called about 30 minutes after I left when I realized I forgot my stuff and since I was too far to drive back I called them to let them know. I told the staff member exactly where I left my gear. The person on the phone was able to find my gear and told me they would hold it in the lost in found… great!
Since I live in the DC area it can be about a hour drive with traffic, so I was able to get a friend that lives in the Manassas area to pick up my gear. So, I called Vertical Rock (week and a half after my visit) to let them know a friend was picking up my stuff. The person on the phone told me they couldn’t find my stuff and recommended I call back when the «normal» staff was in. So I called the next day and they still couldn’t find my gear, so I left my number for them to call me back so they could look for it when it was «less busy». They never called back…
Needless to say, I won’t be coming back.

Second time indoor climbing, but first time trying this place out! I love independent sports, so this was perfect. After reading the reviews, a friend and I arrived as soon as it opened to sign waiver forms and get on the waiting list for an instructor (wait time was ~20 min.). Wait time was understandable given that the few instructors had big groups that came in earlier too. Once we met our instructor, he mentioned that my friend and I looked fit and gave us the options of starting on either the easiest walls or start with an easy-​medium wall then go right into medium-​hard. We chose the second option, and he went on to show us how to adjust the straps and how to climb efficiently. He was so helpful in giving advice and motivating us from below too! At one point I struggled a couple feet from the top of a medium-​hard wall and he kept pushing me to keep going (I slipped off the same part of the cliff twice), but he was super motivating and I ended up finishing the last two difficult walls!
After the open climb, my friend and I paid an additional $ 7 for all-​day bouldering and basically tired ourselves out with that. I wish the bouldering section expanded a bit – the bouldering bridge/​arch looked cool, but by noon time, it got a bit crowded in that area. In conclusion, I’d definitely come back and would recommend this place to any active friend! Just make sure to come early and bring fresh muscles (I was sore for the next two days, this is a great full body workout)!

Clean, new hold placements monthly, no pressure to join, awesome classes like boxing with an amazing instructor by the name of Alex. I’ve been going here for over a year starting out in a climbing class. Now I go daily and boulder, but there are always friendly climbers who offer to belay you if you wanna climb and don’t have a partner. The best part about this place is the staff. Nicest young people around. Competent, easy going and safety conscious. Being the selfish person I am I hope you keep your noisy, rambunctious children out of here and this stays a quiet, hidden jem, but I owe it to the staff to give them a pat on the back… Because of this gym I was able to get in the best shape of my life. In my opinion this IS the finest workout facility around and if you use it daily you can get ripped!

This place doesn’t quiet feel like a true climbing gym to me yet. Maybe it’s because it’s new? Or maybe it’s just the «Northern Virginia» vibe? Routes here can be spottily graded and quiet awkward feeling. An assessment that seems to be shared by many other members I’ve talked to. Some Employees are unfriendly, scatterbrained and downright rude. It has made for annoying and frustrating interactions especially when I have limited time to climb to begin with. I’ve experienced this in everything from trying to sign in to getting help in the gear shop. (Which has traditionally expensive climbing gym prices despite the 10% members discount.) I’d be happy to support my local climbing gym through the gear shop if the staff ever seemed knowledgable and willing to help, but frankly most of them don’t.
The VR day pass option is $ 20 some dollars and there is no discount given for young children or partial day passes given. This makes climbing with my niece or friends and their children frustrating and nearly financially impossible when you tack on the cost of gear (another $ 15).
Beware of prime climbing times like after 4pm weekdays when the parking lot is overflowing and for some reason they schedule huge children’s groups to come in a climb. The screaming and antics is just what everyone needs after a long workday. Not.
They changed the layout after I purchased membership so now the «included gym area» they boasted of is reduced to a small square of a couple tired cardio machines and a weight bench they moved out to the middle of the general climbing area. It was in a separate albeit small enclosed room off the entrance before. It doesn’t appeal to me as a women to do cardio in the middle of the climbing gym full of strangers. It feels very exposed and awkward in addition to negating the spacious locker/​lounge area that existed in the space before.
There is only one yoga class per month. It is always packed and is pretty basic. When I was looking into sign up for membership the idea of included gym and yoga classes (plural) was a determining factor for me in making the investment and canceling my Golds membership. Later finding out that wasn’t really the case genuinely pisses me off due to membership being expensive and the contract nearly impossible to get out of unless you move or injure yourself.
Prices for classes even with the member discount are expensive as are the day trips. I wish there were more levels or options for membership and genera climbing. There doesn’t seem to be much incentive for membership here anymore other then proximity to my home and a couple really nice climbers I’ve met here.

Nothing but good things to say about this gym after my first visit. Friendly and helpful staff and the smooth and technical climbs made it a great overall experience for my wife and I. Lots of little kids but the staff was on top of their game, keeping them in check so other climbers could enjoy the walls.

Me and my sister went here last Saturday. This was our first time ever rock climbing. When you first come in you have to fill out a waiver. I heard you can do it online before you come. Do that or you’ll have to wait in line. We did the Open Climb which is recommended for beginners. It’s $ 20 for 3 climbs and a harness is included. We didn’t rent shoes because we were told that for these 3 climbs it really didn’t matter and we hand on running shoes any ways. We had to wait maybe like 25 mins before it was our turn to climb. I didn’t think that was to bad of a wait time. We killed time by watching other people climb. There were quite a few climbers of all ages in there. Your grouped with who you come with, so it was just me and my sister in a group. Since it was my first time I was placed on a small easier climb for the 1^st attempt and then they gradually got harder and higher with each climb. its $ 5 extra if you wish to do extra climbs. Our instructor was pretty nice she. She coached us as we climbed up, telling us which rocks to grab when we got stuck. She also encouraged us to keep going which was nice. It gets warm in here so I’d wear either a tank top or a short sleeve shirt. Yes even in the winter time.
My overall experience here was pretty good and I plan on coming back.

Took my son there for the first time a couple of weeks ago and we brought the 3 instructed belay climbs. And we waited about 10 minutes for an instructor and she was great with kids very patient with lots of instructions. My son loved it and wants to go back.

I agree with the last post. This place ruins climbing. They force you to sign for a year of auto payments if you want a membership (which is overpriced unless you have a large family). It’s geared toward newbies and kids with their promos while singles and couples are left out to dry. Very nice while they’re selling you stuff then rude when you figure out you’re being screwed. I wish I had another option in the area. I guess I have to quit climbing until a better place opens or the warm weather comes

We had my daughter’s 6^th birthday here with 17 of her friends. We were so impressed. All of the kids got to climb a number of times, the staff helping us were so supportive and patient with them. They did not rush the kids at all, explained everything quietly and calmly before they climbed for the first time. The party room was spacious but did not have a refrigerator (but it wasn’t necessary). I was very impressed with the whole climbing experience.

Spent a couple hours yesterday learning how to belay and climb and it was a great experience. The guys do a great job of instructing and making it fun while stressing the safety aspects. The facility is great, and there is a diversity in the climbs available.
Looking forward to getting certified to belay and getting back in there for some fun.

I really like this type of a gym. I have never been able to find a gym that has kept my interest for this long. I really enjoy video games and I can attribute each climb to completing a level in a video game. The difficulty ramps up when you need it to, and you can do an easier route when you’re having trouble or an off day. The staff at Vertical Rock is incredibly friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend Vertical Rock to anyone interested in a fun workout. The price is not out of this world either, I would pay the same or more for a typical gym membership.
Just a note about myself: I have only been climbing since March of 2013. At this point, I am able to complete 5.8+ routes. If you are a more experienced climber, I know there are a lot of harder routes, but I can not honestly speak passed my own level.

Excellent facility. I’m not sure why it took me so long to get over here but I’m glad I did — FINALLY! So spacious and NOT crowded. I’ve heard from others that frequent this place that even on their «crowded» days it’s still nothing compared to the ridiculousness found at other climbing gyms (coughSRcough). I like this location better for us too. Not too out of the way but enough so to keep the crowds away (at least for now and on weeknights, hooray). I had fallen off the climbing wagon for a few reasons but hitting up VR has sparked my love again. Very spacious and wow the staff is actually friendly and courteous? And from the other reviews it also sounds like they are very knowledgable and helpful. I had such a pleasant experience that I can’t wait to go back and polish up on my bouldering and top roping skills. They have a wonderful shop front display with tons of gear and VR merchandise too. Whoever designed the spread did a great job. I’m going to go back a few more times and maybe even check out how their yoga is before deciding on if we’re going to splurge on a family membership there. Once the weather gets nice out we’re typically strictly outdoor climbing. So we will see.
Thank you VR for being so much more customer oriented! Your staff is wonderful!

I am such a fan of this place. I hope (selfishly) that the gym doesn’t bring in hordes of people because I really like that I can get in a climb at my level (I’m a beginner – I climb up to 5.8) without more than like, a 30-​second wait.
Best part of this gym? THE STAFF! They are SO friendly and knowledgeable. I was totally out of my element on my first visit, coming to the gym by myself as a complete newbie to indoor climbing, and the guy at the front desk was very reassuring and helpful.
I took the Learn the Ropes class, which is supposed to be 1 hour 30 minutes, but with practice climbs at the end, ended up being closer to 2 hours (not complaining at all!). I was really impressed with our instructor – he was very thorough and engaging (even during the «boring» parts) and very hands-​on, watching us practice and giving us personalized advice. After class, he even stayed on for 15 or so minutes with us to thoroughly answer (with examples) my question on what kinds of techniques are required for tougher climbs. Suuuper satisfied.
I like how the place is clean, open, and has climbing magazines to peruse. Their harnesses aren’t the best (compared to the cushy ones I see regulars wearing) but they get the job done. I can’t wait until this place gets even better (I think they’re still working on a little addition to the front?). Their cardio gym is a little small and claustrophobic, and I haven’t taken their yoga but I’d like to (they don’t offer it that often). Really, if they had a snack bar/​internet café I would literally be here ALL. DAY.