Climb On

Wow! All I can say is Wow! What a great place to climb. I was a bit apprehensive at first but after a lesson and some confidence building routes I find myself chomping at the bit for my next visit. I met the owner and his wife on my last visit and let me tell you, holy garbanzo beans were they a nice couple. «Glenny“is always smirking and just a hoot to be around. Without many options in the area this place is a must visit and a god send. Invite your friends and Climb ON!

I have been to a dozen or so climbing gyms and this is definitely in the top 3.
They gym itself in on the smaller side of all the places I have been, but they utilize their space excellently. They have multiple routs (which they change frequently) for every skill level.
The staff is always friendly and willing to help you improve your technique. Unlike some places that are very snobby, the people at Climb On welcome novices and treat you like a human being instead of a newbie.
The prices are comparable to the other rock climbing gyms I have ever been to.
The only thing I do not like is their parking lot; it is small and is always full even if the gym is empty. It is not uncommon to have to park a bit away and walk.

For the most part, the employees don’t really know what they’re talking about. The last time I came in, the person working the front desk didn’t even tell me that I needed a «belaying orientation» before I could climb until AFTER I paid. I’ve climbed a billion times in the past. Plus, they weren’t even offering an orientation for that day, but the person at the desk rudely assured me that my friend and I could still climb using the belay free device. We didn’t know that they only offer that on ONE wall. And the place gets really busy, so I only got to climb once. We both got frustrated and left.
Additionally, they charge you for EVERYTHING. Shoes are falling apart and belaying devices are not included in the price for climbing. They charge for each little thing. AND they charge a ridiculous amount for a belaying orientation.
So dissatisfied with their service. They couldn’t even tell me what I needed before they took my money. I wanted to scream and ask for it back, but I was beyond done with being at this place and dealing with people who didn’t want to help. NEVER coming back!

Awesome climbing gym! My husband and son are both members and go to Climb On several times a week. The other climbers are very friendly, and there is a true sense of camaraderie. They host birthday parties or other events there on occasion, so if you’re looking for something fun to do, this is a great option! Staff is informative, generous, and friendly. Routes are always open to being changed, and fellow climbers are always there to give you a hand!

Feeling a little stir-​crazy these days? Has the weather been keeping you inside and away from your normal outdoor activities? Why not give «Climb on» a try?
I’ve gone here many times in the past and have always found the facility more than challenging for me. I’ve gone climbing in the Tetons, Rockies and even up in Wisconsin… but the routes and holds in this place measure up nicely (as much as a man-​made structure can). Originally, you’d need to go with a climbing partner (someone to belay you), but I believe now they have a couple of self belay apparatusses/​apparati (?) so that you can climb to the ceiling alone. Even if they’re being used, however, you can still get a great workout either bouldering downstairs, or up in the loft with the overhead holds. Unfortunately, you won’t find me up there… those days are long gone! (lol)
The staff here couldn’t be more friendly and helpful, especially if this is your first time climbing, so don’t be intimidated. My only advice is to avoid going while school is out… you’ll find it most crowded then and may even have to wait a bit to run some of the routes. But I assure you, after having visited for the first time, it won’t be your last! It’s a rush!
Climbing…“Climb On!”

One of the most unique and amazing businesses to be established in the south suburbs, Climb On provides serious climbing opportunities and training at a reasonable price to climbers who might otherwise have to drive forever to find a climbing wall. I used to climb here with my stepdaughter regularly when she was serious about the sport. I’ve always heard that the training that they provide here is top notch, and they are impassioned about their art.
Climb On is a block away from the Homewood metra station, meaning easy public transit access up and down the Metra Electric line. It’s also cool that it is across the street from a Starbucks and Bamboo Blue, so you can make a day of it, jump back on the train and be back home.

I went to Climb On in a group of four people (1 expert climber and 3 newbies). While I now see that the website clearly encourages you to call ahead if you require a lesson, we did not know this and waltzed in off the street. While I never advocate showing up unannounced and expecting to be catered to at *any* establishment, they took great care of us.
There was only one girl working the desk, and she took the time to teach the three newbies a beginner lesson, showing us all we needed so we were fully comfortable climbing, belaying for each other, and using the auto-​belay for the rest of the day. Great instruction and good eye – she noticed when we started drifting toward unsafe techniques and made sure we kept sharp. As a result, we all walked away with spinal columns fully intact.
For students, intro lesson (only necessary your first time) + harness rental + shoe rental + climbing all damn day = $ 26. Walking distance from Metra or driveable (if you have one of those things).

My boyfriend and I are really active and not much into the bar scene thing in Chicago. We like to spend our weekends doing something that is challenging and gets us out of the house. WE FOUND IT.
I thought about indoor climbing as a new and different activity we could do together, and I read the first review about this place on Unilocal.So I went to their website, was interested, called, and scheduled an orientation session for $ 30. The guy on the phone was super nice and answered all of my questions. It’s refreshing to have people treat you like they actually WANT you to come and use their business, and have the time to talk to you.
We live in the city, and the drive was pretty fast getting there– about 30 minutes. When we arrived, it was this store-​front looking place with a small parking lot, a desk when you walk in that you pay/​rent your gear from with a computer. There are little cubbies for you to put your belongings in while you climb– no locks, also refreshing. The batchrooms are just bathrooms– no frills– just a place to go and sweat and climb. The whole place is climbing walls with rubber chips as the ground. There are different difficulty levels, some of which are just completely ridiculous. I totally want to take them on once I get good enough. They are awesome.
You feel an immediate sense of community, like you are a part of something that most people aren’t up for/​interested in. It’s pretty great.
You can tell it’s a family place, with cutely nerdy yet totally ripped high school age guys as the «rock-​climbing gym rats» and a couple little kids. There weren’t tons of kids running around or anything though at all. Everything is controlled and safety is first– people are all doing their thing, challenging themselves and socializing in between climbs– giving tips, ect. I think the young guys were picking the music– it was like Korn, and agressive rock in the same vein– you know– think «extreme sports music» but flashback to like late 90’s. It was funny, and I hate to admit it, it was kind of fun to climb to.
The woman we took our lesson from was really really nice as well. She taught us the basics– knot tying, commands, a few techniques, safety measures, ect. We used the climbing shoes, harness, and a few other mechanisms that were included in the lesson fee. She watched us for about 45 minutes after our lesson to make sure we «got it» and were safe, and then after that, we were on our own!
We can come in anytime and climb now that we’ve had our lesson!
The teamwork aspect of climbing was especially fun for us. We would shout things like, «move your right foot up a little higher!» or «come on, you’re so close!» up at each other. It was really cool, and we felt like better friends after wards.
Not only did we love this place, but we can’t stop talking about rock climbing now, and we are going again this weekend. My upper body was sore for 3 days after, totally a great and FUN strength training workout. So many great things to say.
CLIMB ON!

Now this isn’t the absolute best climbing place but it is definitely a pretty decent one that has a great feel to it. There’s one track that I swear is impossible, though whenever I’m there, someone always manages to get further along it than I can (grrrr to them!). The people who work here are really nice and friendly. The drawback is that there can sometimes be a few kids around, which can become rather annoying. However, the walls are solid and provide good fun, as well as a good workout. And if you’re alone, they do have a self-​belay rope. So if you’re looking for a fun time outside the city of Chicago for about $ 20 (cheaper if you don’t need to rent gear), do make a trek down this way for the day. You won’t be disappointed but you may become a little sore!