The Circuit Bouldering Gym

Really good service, and facilities. Had a great time

Great bouldering gym! I love the bouldering routes here and especially the traversing wall. There’s something here for everyone of every level and the staff is really good about changing up the routes. I had an annual membership here and loved it! There are 3 locations and the long hours are great! But yes, it does smell like feet.

I’m an avid climber who moved here from Colorado. I’m so glad I found this gym near me. I do not climb often enough now I’m busy, I love there late hours which is helpful for my busy life.
The routes are fun! There is something for everyone at all levels. There is a great work out center in the back of the gym and there are couple of slacklines set up.

I really want to give a shout to Luke here. Everybody who works at the Circuit is knowledgeable and friendly, and it is why I come here despite it getting crowded and hot during the summers. I really do want to thank Luke though for taking the time (like, really a lot of time) and really teaching me about bouldering pads and tips for outdoor climbing. I enjoy learning and really understanding more about anything I purchase, or about the addiction that is bouldering. He is super awesome and I really appreciate him sharing his love for bouldering. If I keep coming to the Circuit it is because of people like him.

I’m relatively new to bouldering. (Only been doing it for three months). I really like this place though. There’s plenty of wall space and they’re changing up different routes weekly to continually challenge me. It’s helped me improve greatly in the short amount of time I’ve been doing this. The staff is extremely friendly and they usually have pretty good music playing.

It smells like feet, but your nose will slowly adjust.
I’m not a fervent rock climber/​boulderer, but I would really like to be! This place has many many bouldering rock walls you can choose from! Edged walls to completely straight walls. Do a little bit of everything! Why not! I paid $ 12 as a student and $ 4 to rent shoes. Might as well! There were also areas in the corners where you could use use «gym things» and slack rope walking. Pretty neat!
The staff was great! They’re so nice with finding appropriately fitting shoes and when my friend got injured. They were nice enough to get an ice pack and let her keep it. Of course, some paperwork was involved but it’s part of their policies.
If you like rock climbing, it’d be a great place to check out!

I got into bouldering a little over a year ago and this gym has been my go-​to place to climb. If you’re into bouldering, this has plenty of different types of walls, routes, inclines, overhangs, etc to work on. There’s are 3 slack lines set up and is very family friendly. The staff is very friendly and it really just seems like your neighborhood spot. I know a lot of people have left this gym to climb at Planet Granite but I have found it difficult to make the switch because I want to support the team at Circuit. Yes, it smells like feet all the time. Yes, it can get crowded with kids and the weekly meet-​up group. But with long hours of operation, you can usually figure out a schedule that works for you and you’re probably contributing to the foot odor so it’s difficult to complain. They do open up part of the wall to vent the gym as weather permits. Great place to learn to boulder and to improve on your skills!

You guys would have people lined up around the block if you would just change out those horrible floors to thick squishy awesomeness… or at least give us super thick crash pads. Fix the floors I personally would bring you five newbs easy. I asked the staff about it and they said that they’ve been trying to get the owner to do it for years, «but he’s too cheap.» Reduce the risk of injury and make challenging routes more accessible = more fun, more members, more $$$. Don’t be lame like that!

Do you want to get the best, most ripped abdominal area you’ve ever had in your life? Well some Ab Ripper X might help, but heading to The Circuit will do wonders for you.
I’ve been climbing at The Circuit for upwards of 6 years. They started with a small gym down on Macadam and have since expanded to this location off Sandy in NE as well as a new gym in Tigard. The Circuit folks are pros at bouldering. Bouldering is all free-​climbing (as in no ropes) on shorter walls. The floors are padded and they design routes to be safe for all levels.
They have always done a great job of providing challenging climbing problems and rotating them out regularly. Every week, a few walls in the gym are completely redone and set with new problems. The problems range from Beginner to Level 10. The average person would be able to do up to level 3 problems with a little practice. Levels 4 – 6 are generally more intermediate and anything above 7 is very challenging. All the problems are clearly marked, so don’t worry about doing the wrong one!
I’ve always found climbing to be a ton of fun. I hated just lifting weights at a gym. I got bored. With climbing, you’re entertained, you’re thinking, you’re working out, and I found it to be the most effective form of exercising to tone up those muscles.
This gym also has a separate weight section, so you could substitute The Circuit for your normal gym membership if you’d like (although they don’t have a treadmill). It’s definitely most cost-​effective to get a year-​long membership if it’s something you think you’ll enjoy doing regularly.
If it’s your first time, expect to go home with throbbing forearms. It’s a good thing.

Great place for people just getting into the hobby. They have an awesome beginners class that includes some gym time. I am fairly new myself and always feel comfortable here. The evenings can get pretty busy, so its good to be prepared for that. Good terrain, friendly staff, regular route changes, beautiful patrons.

I’ve been to both Portland Rock Gym and Circuit and both have left me disappointed. The problems are not very interesting. The mini tape they use makes seeing any foothold or even the next handhold nearly impossible. I’ve never had to jump off a boulder just to check out where the next foothold was. The holds themselves are incredibly dirty or polished, maybe it had been a while since they were last pressure washed, I don’t know, they need to be cleaned more often. I’m not sure if the no shower situation here is a stab at Tri-​Met riders but I hope you’re wearing deodorant before you get on the bus home.
The staff were friendly and nice to talk to.
If you’re in town and want to boulder I would recommend Circuit over The Portland Rock Gym. And if you’re reading this in the future I would suggest going to Planet Granite.

I must be a gluten for punishment because who gets excited to climb until her arms are too sore to untwist a bottle? Who shares excitement over her ripped calluses? Who attempts routes that are way more advanced then her low level abilities –only to fall down the wall like cheese on a grater. (ouch!)? yea, I am taIking about myself. I am that person, and I love it!
That is what bouldering does to me, it makes me crave progress. I show up wanting to own every route, to flash freshly mounted problems, and unlock those special moves that help me gain success. I am totally addicted to making progress, and bouldering is perfect for that. week after week you start noticing routes are completed, the degree of difficulty that once was hard is now a little easier. The other thing I think most people who boulder can agree with; it’s perfect for the lone climber that doesn’t want to depend on someone else, or drag a friend along to belay you –like you have to with rope climbing.
I found bouldering to be perfect for those personalities like myself who seek personal achievement, you know how it goes with running, you are only as good at the goal you aim for. well, same deal, that is how bouldering/​climbing is for me, I am only as good as the work and time I put into it… it’s a personal achievement thing, and yes, it is my addiction.
[Real Talk:]
Circuit Bouldering Gym: an entire building dedicated to bouldering. Walls and ledges in various degrees and angles, adorned with bright «rock-​like» forms. Color coded tape to help point out which rock is dedicated to each route, a comprehensible rating system from B to well above 8 and padded floors to help those that find themselves falling to the ground.
So If you have ever wanted to learn how to climb, only to realize you are completely dependent on someone else then take up bouldering! No need for a belay partner, just climbing Shoes, and a chalk bag –that’s all you need.
Day passes are only $ 12, shoe rentals $ 4, chalk bag rental $ 2.
The routes are always changing, 2 locations that honor your membership, and a upcoming 3^rd location by Summer 2014
No Ropes, No Harnesses, just your body mechanics and a wall.
[just a warning:]
you may never be able to sport a pretty manicure, or have soft hands. You might even rip up some skin, bang up your knees, have your forearms throb, inhale a bit of chalk dust, and have an adrenaline rush after only getting 4 feet off the ground… results may vary.
[4 Stars:]
Bathrooms are run down and always missing supplies, paper towels run empty, TP not always present. They want your climbing shoes removed prior to entry and the floors look like they missed a good cleaning since Y2K (so carry a pair of socks).
be careful of weekend climbing, this is usually the prime time for kiddos. It is known, the moment you think you’re near the finish line on a route, you’ll be interrupted by some little tot climbing up the same route, this little runt will most likely do a little action on your route, and boogy over to your neighbors route, then back again, heck this little tot might just stay up there while said tot’s parent starts staging a photo shoot… this is an annoying issue that goes on while the kids are just excited to start climbing following a little birthday party action. I don’t think the polite rules of indoor climbing are relayed to the parents since they never seem to realize how rude this is while you’re paused en route to near completion
The «Gym», you mean Rocky’s gym leftover’s (inset myself laughing at myself). one bench, one squat rack, a few free weights and rings. not much of a gym nor much of a way to warm up. if they could insert a tread mill, stationary bike, or a few rowing machines, I would be more inclined to get a membership.
Drinks and snacks available at the counter, two walls dedicated to storing your belongings, 2 slack lines, and a separated traverse wall.
I think I have a valid claim: I am a gluten for punishment: because day after day something new hurts and I continue to keep coming back!

Pros and cons as observed by a super-​beginner:
Pros:
mega-​hotties
routs change on the regular
friendly staff
slacklines!
seems every kind of ability can find a challenge in here
also seems like a good deal
Cons:
smells like a foot in here

Started coming here a little over a month ago and I can’t get enough! The staff is friendly and the climbing walls appear to be updated regularly with new routes. They also have slacklines, great for when your arms turn to jello.
There’s a meetup group that attends every Tuesday night which includes climbers from a variety of experience levels and everyone is super nice. A great way to meet new people and reduce anxiety for new climbers (I was pretty intimidated my first time).
The only thing, and this might be due to the weather, is that the gym seems to be lacking in the ventilation department. When you first come in it smells musty and sometimes the air is visibly cloudy from all the chalk dust. Also the bathroom is a bit janky, but whatever it’s a gym.
Super fun!

This review is for their kids’ birthday party program.
We just had our son’s 8^th birthday here and it was a huge success.
We were greeted at the door by 2 helpers who helped us get all our party favors and decorations and food into the room. (You get 15 minutes to set up so you kind of need to bring everything ready to go.)
Kids arrived and then the helpers/​instructors gave a short safety talk and then showed the kids what to do in the kids area. The 8 year olds loved it. My 4 year old was a little more hesitant but on another visit she did great. There are no ropes, and I feel this teaches self-​confidence and self-​understanding (if you can’t make it all the way up, it’s OK to just jump down.) Parents and instructors stick around to help kids jump down if they change their minds halfway up. But for the most part, every kid at the party could make it all the way up the kids’ wall, and then they got to slide down a huge slide. Some kids even did the adults wall. There was even a fun game where the kids try to tag each other while bouldering.
One thing I truly appreciated was that we could bring our own food. A lot of the birthday party places for kids either have really crappy food or it’s extremely expensive. I’m always surprised that trampoline gyms and other «athletic» places sell tons of junk food and candy.
The standard package is $ 195 and is limited to 12 kids and 2 hours. I understand if I had planned ahead a little earlier (reserved a few more months ahead), I might have been able to have more time and a few more guests by paying a little more. So plan ahead and don’t wait until the last minute!
Parking is a tiny bit tricky so make sure to send out the parking maps with your invites. Also because Portland Rock Gym is so close by, a couple of parents went there first before finding the right place. Not really their fault though but FYI for planning.
All in all, very fun, and we will be back.

Great bouldering gym and a fun way to spend a few hours exercising with friends.
Please note: I am NOT a rock climbing expert… at all. I have been to a rock climbing gym several years ago, but I remember almost nothing beyond, «On belay! Belay on!»
Having said that, I do love fun new activities with friends and this place fits the bill. This is a massive gym with dozens (hundreds maybe?) of routes on walls that go straight up or slope. There is something here for all levels and I am told that they are good about regularly changing the routes to keep things fresh.
The night I came, the place was packed, but everyone was really good about waiting patiently and there was no pretention detected from those climbers who were clearly more expert.
**Helpful hint: a friend has something called The Chinook Book which has coupons to get free entry for up to 4 people (does not include shoe rental at $ 4 per person) which I highly recommend if you want to try it out before you commit. The thing is, once you try them out you’ll be hooked… and that’s a good thing!

So Throw your hands in the AIRER and wave ‘em like you just don’t Care-​er!!!
My lovely Elite friend invited me to try this place out. I’m game to try new physical things. So, I thought, why not?
I’m a freak. So, the very first thing I notice upon entry is the aroma of lots of sweaty humans who probably lean toward the hippy (non showering) type. Of course that’s what you get when over 100 people have their hands in the air climbing. LOL. Climbing is a serious workout. I’m just making a first observation.
The place is pretty large and tricked out with wall to wall man made cliffs with many colored plaster stones that act as markers for your climbing trail. Climbing appears SUPER easy. IT IS NOT!!! Most of your time is spent on the ground planning your route up the wall. ‘Cause once you get on the wall you’re holding on for dear life using all your muscle to cleave to the wall and push your self up it. The fellow climbers are quite social and supportive. Not too shabby to look at. I’m sure many a hook up has been made while planning a route. LOL.
There are no harnesses preventing a fall. I’m pretty accident prone. So, ultimately this is not a long term thing I can commit to. They offer instruction for climbing and strongly recommend you have a spotter and LEARN how to fall. Mentally it’s just not the thing I can commit too.
Money wise it’s pretty reasonable. The unlimited monthly rate is totally doable.
I can’t commit without a harness.

LOVE the all bouldering gym. No ropes, no wasted time, no wasted space.
They have tons of bouldering problems to work on and some of them are pretty highball for a gym which is nice. You don’t often get the fear factor in gyms because everything is so low and in control. I like having to make one last move on something that is high enough to not want to fall from and then topping out and feeling pumped (in a good way).
I was traveling from San Diego when I was up there and basically living out of my rental car for the day and the people at the front desk were super nice and let me nuke some food in the employee break room. Total weird request but they didn’t flinch and went out of their way to help a customer out.
I totally agree that the routes are a bit on the easy side. Not sure why Paul A. thinks he sounds «like a douche,» because it is true. Easily a full grade easier than I am used to, if not 2 grades. If I’m lucky, I can work on a V4 for days here in S.D. and get a real easy one. Up at The Circuit I was flashing V3s and getting most V4s no problem. I was stoked on it though because I felt like I was crushing. I asked some dudes that climb Oregon and they said the ratings were pretty similar to other places so maybe it is just a little different in other parts of the country. No biggie.

I feel like there is no way I can write this review without sounding defensive, so I’ll just get it out of the way:
*I’m not a boulderer, I’m not really into bouldering. I like climbing with ropes. I also suck at bouldering (I’m not very much better at climbing with ropes). There are things I suck at that I still find fun, but bouldering is not one of them*
Not that there is anything *wrong* with being into bouldering, there really isn’t. It’s just not for me.
That being said, going in here, knowing I wasn’t into bouldering all that much, I still had a decent time! The routes (oops, *problems*, roped-​climber is sneaking through) here are significantly easier than the ones at Portland Rock Gym. Like, way easier. Like, there are V0’s at PRG that rival V3’s at The Circuit. The layouts are awesome, there is a very cool system of ramps and top-out’s. It reminds me of being a kid again and building pillow/​mattress/​blanket forts, except you can CLIMB THEM.
I was glad it was like that though, cuz that meant I could actually top out here and feel like i was making some progress. *high five bro*
if you *are* into bouldering, drop everything you’re doing and go here!
I’ll stick to Portland Rock Gym.
Now that they have auto-belay’s, my last remaining excuse for sucking at rock climbing: «I don’t have a partner, I guess I’ll go eat worms», is GONE. I can climb with a rope, all-​by-​myself, awesome.

Yeah yo! There is a shitload of bouldering going on here. It’s massive! There’s a decent little free weights and machines area, but all in all it’s very straight-​forward, Spartan, and industrial, which suits my mood, because when you pull plastic you don’t want to be all frontin’ like some Pearl District poser. There’s a big kids area too, where you can pull the alphabet soup, yo! D is for ‘dyno’!
Boulderers are kind of like rock climbers, only hipper and too-​cool-​for-​school an’ shit. They can’t tie knots, but they climb really well. And I hate ‘em all because they climb a lot better than me. But I don’t let that stop me. I go there and pull my fat ass up the V-​0 until I cry, yo! And no, I ain’t talkin’ no Courvoisier! And the boulderer’s see me and they say, «You got this bro!», even when I don’t. And it’s so supportive that for a moment I feel guilty for hating them just because they climb better than me. Maybe if I get better we can be friends…