The Gravity Vault - Flemington, NJ — Attraction in Raritan Township

This gym is absolutely phenomenal! I have climbed in gyms all across the country and in Europe and Gravity Vault Flemington is up there with the best of the best. A fantastic surprise for when I moved here from out of the state, for I wasn’t expecting a good gym within driving distance. The setting is actually significantly better than the gyms I was climbing in before (large gyms with multiple locations). So I drive 45 minutes from PA in order to go to this gym multiple times a week although there are gyms that are closer in Philly. The setting and environment are just leaps and bounds better. The rope and lead climbing zone it’s a really big area with lots of routes. If you like auto belays they switch up the auto belays often so you can climb not only different routes but in different areas. Every time I’m in the gym they are usually resetting something in the rope area (and I’m there a lot) which is the highest turnover I’ve seen for rope in the gyms I’ve climbed at regularly. The rope and lead routes I have climbed have been really fun and interesting, and the setters do an amazing job of balancing routes to be in multiple styles of climbing and pay attention to the needs and abilities of climbers. I am quite flexible and have been known to cheat my way through sections of harder problems that have bad setting by crimping a foot chip here. But the setters are fantastic at really forcing a certain sequence and I find it hard to find alternate beta (and am then challenged to try moves I normally would try and work around, which is great for improving my climbing). For the bouldering (which is my main area) I’m never ever bored with routes because they reset large areas each week, and last winter they were setting twice a week. The routes are phenomenal and even really gorgeous to look at (instead of just a nasty spray or clutter you see at some gyms, even if the setting is still good it’s just not as nice to stare at while you’re trying to solve a problem and can be harder to follow your line). There are several big overhang sections, and even a slab section (yay!) and I always can find a fun project in each area that is challenging enough to push me a little further in my climbing. The setters are always changing things up and recently they’ve started setting some beginner coordination routes to which I am SO grateful for. So I think the setters must be listening to the needs of the climbers in their gym, or are seeking to solve problems they see amongst their climbers with their setting. The setters really think about people who are weaker and the challenges of making problems equal for all (I climb with a friend who is well above 6 feet sometimes and we both struggle on the same problems although I am only 5’7", and I've seen shorter people cruise the same problem). They are great at guiding new climbers to learn different styles of climbing in their routes and I’ve seen everything from complicated coordination routes to fun and goofy slab, to crack climbing, and they do a fantastic job with all of them. I am never ever bored! They just recently started a new grading system that uses V grade ranges and I am thrilled! I hate it when gyms use colors because I always forget the range or have to go and check the charts. The new grading system is great and confirmed what I always thought, which is that the grading is similar to what is found in the South and up the East Coast, which is great because I hate it when gyms soften the grading! I want my gyms to reflect what is outdoors, or if not at least be similar to other good gyms out there. So I’m happy to say the grading is on-point! Climbers, gym staff, and setters are all exceptionally friendly and although I have not climbed at this gym for too long I always feel welcome and seem to make a new friend every time I walk in. I’m happy that this gets to be my regular gym! It’s absolutely worth the drive out to climb there and I recommend it to anyone who loves climbing or is...

This gym is freaking awesome! I climb anywhere between V3-V6 and 5.10-5.12 (depending on the style of route) and this gym is great! I've tried other gyms in the area and this is by far the best. There is always something new to climb and the routes are all really cool and different. I've been to some gyms which must just be for super strong climbers, and I'm happy that here I can work (or at least try) the majority of the problems which is really nice! I am a bit weaker in the shoulders (only in the past few months did I do my first real pullup) so whoever is setting is doing a great job of balancing technique and difficulty (although there are definitely lots of tougher problems I can't climb yet, but I'm trying)! They also have a bunch of different types of climbs which is super cool and weren't at the other gyms I've been to. I often climb alone and the environment is great and really friendly. There aren't kids flying around in dangerous places (they have their own areas, or when they are in the main sections are usually being watched by staff or parents which is so much safer than in other gyms I've been to) and the staff is so nice! Any time I have a question about a route they are really nice about it, even going so far to find someone who has climbed the route so they can give me beta/advice when I need it. The other climbers who I see climbing are usually really nice and friendly too. I'm really happy with the routes and gym and it seems other people are too! I always see groups coming in for parties, or get togethers, and everyone seems to be having a great time. Especially for new climbers there are lots of easier problems to try that are fun and not too scary (which is great for the friends who I bring climbing). So the people making the routes are doing a great job of making things fun for everyone! Totally check...

FUN CREATIVE SETTING!!! I have been climbing in the tristate area for over 10 years and have climbed at most of the gyms in it. I climb at many of the gyms in NJ and NY on a monthly basis Method, Goat, GV Montclair, GP81, vital, BPB to name a few. GV Flemington is definitely top three climbing gyms in NJ probably top 5 in the tristate as far as route setting goes. The setting is consistent, thoughtful and creative at all levels and for all sizes of climbers (I’m 5’4”) Whether it’s ropes or boulders you can tell the setters are experienced and they care. There is a lot of attention to detail from movement to aesthetics. There is a nice balance of types of holds, volumes and varying terrain as well as a balance in styles of climbing from powerful to delicate and technical, really something for everyone. The climbs are more often than not, comfortable but still challenging even as you go up in the grades and difficulty. which at most gyms my experience is a harder climb equals smaller holds and bigger moves. Whenever I’m at GV Flemington I always see the setters putting up new climbs. The facility itself offers an ok by todays standards training area. Tension 1 board, large spray wall that could use a reset, a moon board, and some weight equipment (bench/squat rack/KBs/DBs ect). Other than that though nothing spectacular or special. Pretty standard bathrooms and cubby’s to store personal items. The route setting and the staff are what make this gym shine. Thanks to the Owner, staff and setters for creating a cool gym and climbing experience for...