Joe Rockhead's Indoor Rock Climbing — Attraction in Toronto

This was my first experience with any kind of rock climbing. I had signed up for the lesson which incredibly ended for me in the first 5 minutes.

During an introduction to bouldering where I seemingly scaled a somewhat higher wall, the instructor asked me jump off as he had demonstrated earlier. So I jumped off the wall trustingly and twisted my knee as a result of a bad landing. At the time I thought I had a simple albeit slightly painful sprain. Only later did I find out that I had a pretty serious injury, the possibility of surgery and months of physiotherapy.

In retrospect, I believe the "instructor" didn't really think about my safety. My friends who were with me at the time later commented on how high up the wall I seemed to be. He could have done a number of things differently. He could have not suggested that I jump. He could have tried to cushion my landing by grabbing me or something. He could have asked me to take a path down the wall to a lower point before asking me to jump off. So this makes me question the quality of instruction at the gym.

The second point of contention is customer service. To their credit, they did provide me with an ice-pack and refunded the monies of me and my friend without whose physical support I couldn't even walk. However, considering that there was some drama at the gym and clearly I was injured, there was no follow-up call or anything to say that they gave a care.

Of course, I signed the waiver and pretty much signed my life away. Not impressed and probably scarred for life where rock climbing is concerned.

Disclaimer: Though it is my intention to do so eventually, at the time of this review I haven't contacted the gym and informed them of the fallout of that incident. I've been too busy adjusting to a life with...

I had visited Joe Rockhead's a few times when I was climbing more intensely, in 2011 and 2012, and I remember finding the routes really powerful and, in all honesty, totally boring. You know, the kind of routes that pump your forearms in a few climbs and leave you feeling like you've been climbing impossible ladders? I also thought that members were pretentious. Needless to say: I wasn't a fan.

So when my friend suggested we go so that he could use his outstanding day passes, I was not thrilled. I still decided to go, since he offered to use his own passes to let me in--since I have an annual membership at Basecamp.

My. Mind. Was. Blown. BLOWN!

The routes were totally different, over the full range I climbed (5.8-5.11-). They were puzzles, quite challenging, but in a way that is at once intellectual AND physical. The hold sets were fun and different, and I really enjoyed a very different kind of workout. Feeling my body this morning, and looking forward to our next time.

The employee at the front told me about the recent change in ownership, and how the routes are now A) changing more often, and B) set away from the more traditional, powerful routes they used to set.

You go, guys! I am very happy to know that there is such a cool gym in town. Thrilled, in fact.

The 4 stars comes from my dislike of the polished wall surface. I know it is old, but I am hoping for a panel-by-panel resurfacing of the gym. Maybe if more people go to JR's, the owners will start reinvesting...

Having learned to climb at another gym in Toronto I was excited to try a new gym. Joe Rockhead's is around the corner from where I live so it would be super handy to go there. Honestly, I was really disappointed with the customer service and greeting. The girl who works the front desk is not friendly and slightly patronizing. It would put me off ever returning there again. It feels like a bit of a judging environment which I really haven't experienced elsewhere and is disappointing.

Having said that, The routes are very good and challenging. I felt like the routes really push you and came away having had a good work out. That's a huge benefit for me. The climbs are high too which is nice.

I wouldn't recommend this gym to first time climbers. If I had of went here to learn, I wouldn't have climbed again. The atmosphere is a little bit elitist. First impressions do last sadly. Good place to go for a good climbing challenge, don't...