The Commons Climbing Gym

From the moment I first called The Commons Climbing Gym, the staff was incredibly responsive and friendly. Kellina, in particular, was amazing—so helpful and informative. She got our Girl Scout troop scheduled right away and was patient and cheerful every time I reached out with follow-up questions, whether by phone or email. The gym graciously welcomed our group of 11 Girl Scouts and 10 moms on a Tuesday afternoon, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. As soon as we walked in, the entire staff made us feel at home. They got us all geared up, gave us a thorough tour of the facility, and clearly explained how everything works. What really stood out was the extra effort the staff made to help our group. Two employees even took the time to teach us moms how to belay the girls safely, certified that we knew what we were doing, and then set the girls loose to climb. The girls had an absolute blast, and we were invited to stay as long as we liked. Most of us were novices, but the staff made everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and supported throughout the entire visit. We had called around to several places, and The Commons Climbing Gym gave us the best response by far—and I’m so glad we chose them. The price for our group was incredibly reasonable, much less than I expected. Everyone left excited to return, whether with their families or on their own. I highly recommend The Commons Climbing Gym for individuals, families, and groups. It's a fantastic space with exceptional staff and a welcoming atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!

Visited from out of town and… yikes. First off, the gym requires the use of GriGri belay devices on every rope. Each top rope is pre-tied with a figure-eight knot and permanently clipped into a supplied GriGri. In my opinion, this is a terrible practice. Climbers should be tying their own knots—every time. Pre-tied ropes like this can lead to inattentive belaying and a false sense of security. You're forced to trust both the knot and the device, sight unseen. I personally prefer using my ATC and wasn't allowed to. Not being given a choice is frustrating and, frankly, unnecessary. Mandating GriGri use and locking people out of their own gear preferences is just bad gym policy. I've been climbing since 2008 and never been to a gym that has this setup; an untied hanging rope should be standard and allow climbers to learn how to use the equipment by letting them do it! The route grades seemed a bit sandbagged from what I'm use to. Different style compared to where I mostly climb in Colorado. On another note, the gym leans hard into a particular cultural vibe. If you're bringing kids, just know the space is covered in rainbow flags and heavy-handed LGBTQ+XYZBYR blah blah messaging—very much part of the overall atmosphere. A lot of the staff give off that classic social justice warrior energy: the type who rant about capitalism and billionaires on Twitter via their iPhone, connected to Starlink, while sipping a turmeric ginger latte from Starbucks. Consider this your heads-up.

Best climbing gym in Boise! Extremely welcoming to all abilities of climbers and LGBTQ+ friendly! Down to earth vibe, not a drop of pretentiousness! Rad routes and yoga classes! Such a convenient location, close to downtown. Also, locally owned… what more could you ask for? Love The Commons!

Convenient hours and fair pricing for access to climbing, fitness area, as well as yoga. Yoga classes are challenging and there is a bulletin to post a request for a climbing partner which worked well for me.

I took a morning yoga class with Caitlyn and absolutely loved it. Caitlyn had a wonderful flow prepared and was accommodating of beginners/people who are out of practice. The music was also 🔥🔥 I’ll definitely be back for more yoga and to hopefully give climbing a try!