Bouldering Project - Westgate — Attraction in Austin

What I like as a woman who sometimes climbs: Staff: From day 1, it was easy to become a member because the staff helps explain how everything works and sets up the acct. Someone helped me to buy shoes by letting me try on tons of pairs and giving me advice about fitting. When I walk in, I'm always greeted by name and smile, even on a busy day. Instructors acknowledge me in or out of class. They are knowledgeable and helpful.

Community: Even if I show up to climb alone, it's easy to talk to other climbers about routes and techniques. People will cheer me on and it feels great. So many times I find other women climbing and we end up climbing together which is fun. In the fitness classes, many people are regulars and will form little bonds. Some of my best friends are people I hang out with at ABP throughout the week.

Climbing: for me it's ok. I tend to like some areas more than others. Most days there is tons of space to climb and it doesn't feel too packed. I'm not a fan of the smaller, darker area off to the side. Maybe it's a lighting thing, or that it feels cramped and like I'm in someone's way.

Fitness classes: love and adore the circuit, mobility and movement playground classes. Now that there is new gym equipment I really hope they'll create a new weight lifting class (currently there's only one on Fridays). The yoga classes are absolutely varied by style and instructors - and they are great. I love the studio, especially because I use the space when it's empty.

Gym - full of new equipment.

Bathrooms/showers: I don't like that they are separate. They need a proper locker room, with a sauna and cold plunge like at...

I had a membership here for six months or so. I used the gym frequently. The place was always in order, clean, and far as my limited knowledge of bouldering gyms goes, it is nice, but I have some complaints.

Treadmills are very close to the wall and if you fall or pass out, you will be pinned between the spinning treadmill and the wall.

There are no mirrors in the weight lifting area. They aren't needed for selfies, but for checking your lifting form on the many squat racks that you provide. If desperate, you can use the back door glass at night.

Most importantly...a lot won't care, but the main reason that I canceled my subscription is the clear pandering to the LGBTQ+ community. The entire place looked like a pride float for the Month of June, but then July 4th came and went without a single American flag hanging in the building. The pride flag was still hanging when I canceled my membership in September though. I put this all behind me and quietly canceled my membership, however, I had not opted out of the marketing emails. This June I received an email advertisement for a drag show occurring in the gym. The same gym that has a large section dedicated to CHILDREN. I've been to a few drag shows and not a single one has been child friendly. Its just not possible. Let the gay bars do the drag shows, you are doing something more important, giving kids a constructive hobby and community.

If you want to have a gym, have a gym, stop pandering, if you want to continue that's your...

Went to check out the gym today, & it looked great, but was denied use because of my service dog. 😬 I have a medical condition & he’s a trained medical alert animal, not a “therapy dog” or “support” animal, & I’m completely empathetic to companies being sensitive to the qualifications of animals in their facilities. However, after two uncomfy conversations the most the staff would allow was for him to be inside off the mats, which would mean I couldn’t actually boulder at all if I was by myself (assuming I stayed with him & maintained control of him, which is my legal responsibility) or would have to rotate heavily with a partner & would not have him near enough to me to alert. Per ADA law, it’s technically illegal/discrimination to prohibit a service dog... wasn’t worth pushing the fact & my boyfriend just got us a refund so we could go to Crux, who were lovely. Not sure if this was just a one-off thing where the staff on the floor weren’t properly educated or if it’s a company-wide issue, but for others who utilize service dogs, I wouldn’t go here. 😬 Facility looked nice though! Sad we didn’t get to try it out. // UPDATE: Since people are still viewing this, wanted to update and say that the following week, ABP reached out about the incident and could not have handled it better. They apologized and we talked through what adjustments could be made in the future... I so appreciated it. How people respond after mistakes matters!!! Wanted to make sure I gave them credit...