Movement Golden — Attraction in Golden

It's a nice gym, perhaps even too "nice", too often you see the staff too politely allowing for...practices that would not have been allowed 20-years ago [a 'lead belay' tag DOES not mean you can stop learning and it SHOULD mean you know how to tie a basic figure-8 knot)...but alas, I digress.

Pros: it has ropes and walls that stay dry in the inclement weather it has nice enough equipment the staff is wonderfully nice great trainers (Nick was a rad addition, that guy has too many awesome climbs under his belt and is great with the kids) LOTS OF WEALTHY PRETTY PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

Cons: Don't really have too many 'Gita' style teachers, it's mostly been hand-stand style yoga, I'd love some yin, some jhana teaching and of course more strengthening Pricey for less fortunate folk looking to participate in a really expensive sport Very Very Soft Grades (I know, they have to make the 'climbers' think that they're bada$$es, but that can cause dangerous situations in the real world when those same "5.13" climbers think they can climb a real 5.13 outdoors and end up getting into trouble and potentially others) by thinking they can actually climb at a level they're not proficient at. Allowing TRers and "Takes" to take part in the grading of a climb...if you can run a climb clean (without taking), let those who can determine the grade because they know due to the first hand nature of leading the climb clean LOTS OF WEALTHY PRETTY PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

Also, $27 for a day pass is RIDICULOUS!!! When I saw that on the board I was blown away - I get that 'membership' drives financial security at the banks for growth, but this price does not allow for the less fortunate to enjoy this incredible sport...I think the new age of 'climbers' forgets that rock-climbing was driven by dirtbags and poor folk trying to find their place in this world [myself included in that rank] and not by wealthy gals/guys/theys with 100K followers on Instagram wearing tiny empowerment shorts.

Also, WHY CAN'T THEY BLEACH THE BLACK MOLD COVERING THE WATER FOUNTAINS THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING - THAT $27 DAY FEE SHOULD AFFORD THEM BLEACH...

For the golden area, this gym is a great resource. The walls are unique in that they are finished with a sticky surface you can smear on. There are yoga classes at no charge to members, as well as a very nice workout area with treadmills and free weights. Additionally, and most importantly, the gym is brand new.

On the flip side it is unfortunately not locally managed which causes unnecessary difficulties when closing a membership or opening one that is not standard such as a family civil union plan. There is nobody at the gym that can make judgement calls in such matters without asking permission from the east coast... but you will have to do this yourself as they probably won't offer to do it for you.

The bouldering quality is generally good.. but the walls are very high and the pads are quite firm which could easily lead to strains or sprains. To add to the hazard, many setters finish problems with a "spicy" top out. Be careful and aware. I usually won't bother finishing boulder problems at my limit in this gym as I've seen the ambulance have to rescue other hapless climbers who have managed to dislocate body parts.

The routes are generally good but lack the consistency you might find at other gyms. You may find one route to be spectacular (very well thought out) and another to be terrible (awkward reachy moves). The grading is very shifty from one setter to the next which leads me to believe there is no forthright grade vetting from the other setters. The gym is designed such that routes intersect in the overhangs which equals long waits on busy nights for harder routes. I'm not sure what the story is with the upper level but is doesn't get much use aside from occasional birthday parties.

Parking is ample and location is convenient.

Overall, if you are living permanently in Golden, or the surrounding areas and want to join a gym, this is realistically your only current option and it's pretty good. Understand that my three stars is relative to all Colorado gyms I've visited and that in some other states I've lived this would be...

First, I completely respect the fact Earth Treks is a private business, and I would have canceled my membership with the implementation of masks had that been my sticking point. My issue is not with masks, my issue is that I was harassed by Earth Treks staff Saturday evening.

My first interaction with Earth Treks staff was with Sierra. She aggressively approached during my set and refused to leave my side. It was evident she approached about my mask slipping below my nose. I offended her because I interrupted her lecturing me - I couldn’t hear her considering that my headphones were in as I was in the middle of a set. Upon completing my set, I corrected the placement of my mask, as I informed her I would. Her response was to glare at me from outside the door of the weight room, waiting for another opportunity to lecture me when my mask fell again. She left her “post” when I noticed her and informed her that her actions were making me uncomfortable. Sierra was harassing me.

I’m not sure if it’s policy to do rounds but slightly after, Nick approached me. After the episode with Sierra, I admittedly was a bit short with Nick. John came up last and by this time, I had enough. I was just attempting to finish my workout and leave but Sierra approached again with John to say something. Again, my headphones were in so I couldn't hear but I told them I was going to cancel my gym membership upon finishing that last set.

The only time my mask was off my face for the nearly 1.5 hours I was in the gym is when I removed my mask to walk out of the weight room upon finishing my 4th conversation with Earth Treks staff in the less than 10 minutes since Sierra first approached.

I come to the gym in order to relax and get time to myself. Being harassed is not relaxing. Saturday night felt like a miniature Stanford Prison Experiment. If you want to be treated with dignity, stay away...