Climbing Gyms Open
Bouldering Project - Gowanus
4.0(414)4.0 out of 5 stars, 414 reviews New York, NY
About Bouldering Project - Gowanus
This venue uniquely offers a large, active indoor space that often functions as an uncontrolled 'playground' perfect for children who enjoy running and jumping freely on mats, especially during weekdays. It also boasts an exceptional yoga program with highly-rated instructors and modern facilities, appealing to parents looking for fitness options for themselves.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Parents looking for a large, active, and unstructured indoor space for children to run, jump, and play freely, especially on a rainy day (Review 1).Individuals seeking high-quality, challenging yoga classes with excellent, engaging instructors (Review 2, 3).Families with children who enjoy an active environment and don't necessarily need structured climbing activities (Review 1).Individuals who need a quick bouldering workout and are not overly concerned with route variety or a serene climbing environment (Review 4).**Younger Children (Elementary Age):** Excellent for children who enjoy active, unstructured play. They can run, jump, and treat the climbing mats as a large indoor playground (Review 1: '50 children running around playing games that included jumping from yoga block to yoga block').
Why families love it
- Excellent and challenging yoga classes, with specific instructors like Andrew, Gioia, Ashley, Britt, Erin, and Angelina receiving high praise (Review 2, 3).
- Yoga studio is bright, clean, and equipment is in great condition (Review 2).
- Front desk staff are consistently described as super nice, lovely, friendly, and helpful (Review 1, 2, 4).
- Facility is modern, clean, and the gym area is 'super fresh' post-update (Review 4).
- The community is welcoming and friendly (Review 2, 4).
- Membership fees are considered a great deal for frequent visitors (Review 2).
Insider tips
- If you are a serious boulderer, call ahead to inquire about scheduled comps or route setting, as these can drastically reduce available climbing space (Review 1).
- Expect a chaotic, 'playground-like' atmosphere if visiting with children during peak times like weekday noon (Review 1).
- Bring minimal personal belongings as storage space is limited and lockers may be inadequate/unsafe (Review 5).
- Do not expect top rope or auto belay climbing options; this gym is exclusively bouldering (Review 4).
- Consider the yoga program as a distinct and highly-rated offering, regardless of interest in climbing (Review 2, 3).
- If planning to climb, be prepared for potentially 'boring' or quickly solvable routes, depending on the current set (Review 4).
Good to know before you go
- Serious adult climbers seeking a focused, quiet bouldering session, especially during times when many children are present or when large sections are closed for setting/comps (e.g., weekday noon) (Review 1).
- Anyone specifically looking for top rope or auto belay climbing options (Review 4).
- If you require ample personal space, secure storage for belongings, or are sensitive to potential hygiene issues in locker rooms/bathrooms (Review 5).
- Visiting when the gym is likely to be crowded, as the layout can become unsafe and hinder climbing (Review 5).
- The gym floor can become an uncontrolled 'playground' for many children (50+ reported), including jumping on yoga blocks, especially at peak times like weekday noon (Review 1).
- Crowds
- Can be very crowded with children (50+ reported) even at noon on a Wednesday, making a significant portion of the gym feel like a 'playground' (Review 1).
- Value
- Membership fees are considered a 'great deal, especially if you go often' (Review 2). Specific pricing for day passes or individual classes is not mentioned, so value for one-off visits is unclear, but regular attendance offers good value.
- Food
- No details mentioned.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations mentioned.
- Safety
- Lack of 'control' over children's play, described as a 'free for all,' raises safety concerns for both climbers and children themselves (Review 1).
What parents say
"Sort of a joke to be honest. Came at noon on a Wednesday. A quarter of the gym was off limits for climbing due to a comp and the other half was taken over by route setting. Then there were about about 50 children running around playing games that included jumping from yoga block to yoga block on the mats. About 1/4 or less of the actual surface area of the gym available for climbing. And there were about 15 kids running around there as well. I would not describe this as a “climbing gym.” But more as a playground. I’m not against children in the gym but there should be a bit of control, not ju"
8 months ago
"I was a little skeptical about the yoga program here since I don’t climb, but the classes are really great. And challenging. The teachers I’ve had so far have been excellent. Shout out to Andrew, Gioia, Ashley, Britt, and Erin. No doubt the rest of the instructors will be as good—I just haven’t worked my way through them all. The studio is bright and clean and the equipment is in great condition. The front desk folks are lovely. Overall, It’s a young-ish crowd but everyone seems to be welcoming and friendly. Plus, the membership fees are a great deal, especially if you go often."
a week ago
"Took Angelina’s Hot Yoga class a few months back and I’m still going through withdrawals. I need to either move to New York or continue on my endless search to find another instructor that comes close to her. She is fun, knowledgeable, empowering, and her playlists always rock. Thank you for that experience I will never forget."
a week ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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