Berta Block — Local services in Berlin

Are you a seasoned climber looking to either maintain your fitness or continue your training cycle while on vacation/holiday? Read on.

Just come. I know it might be a bit further than you had hoped to travel for your session, but I promise you, if there was a Michelin guide for climbing gyms, this would receive 3 stars. A 3 star rating by definition means that it deserves to be a destination on its own. If you weren’t planning on spending more than 2 hours for your session, then guess what, you’re changing your plans. Ok, enough waxing poetic, here are the specifics.

Massive climbable wall space. Varied angles with top notch setting and hold selection. The setting has a great mix of classic style and more modern comp movements so don’t worry about missing out of anything. There is one absolute stand out feature though. A ramp. Not just any ramp. The biggest ramp I have personally encountered since ramps of this scale are an absolute liability in the US for gyms accessible by beginners and novices. Hard to capture in photos so please refer to the attached video.

There is also a separate system board room. A Kilter Board, 12x10(!!) fixed at 50 degrees and a 2019 Moonboard at the standard 40 degrees. I honestly could have spent my sessions in this room alone, but the rest is the gym is so varied that I was able basically spend two days just doing a “two try” session for both days. Just FYI, the board room does see sun in the late morning into early afternoon during the summer season so plan accordingly.

There is another room with passable training accoutrements like weights, hangboards, and bars so you’re good on that.

Most importantly. There is air movement all throughout the gym since every room has large garage door entry and exits. Fans are also available interspersed throughout the gym if needed.

Ok, I think this is enough info to convince anyone. However, if you’re still holding out, then perhaps you didn’t want those gains...

This is my choice in Berlin. I visited more boulder gyms here but this one was the best. Thank to controversial decision no kids climbing in the gym, there was despite Absolut prime time inaf space to climb what you want, not what is free now! For climbing it's absolutely the best. I didn't saw so big boulder room in the world and In last 2 years I visited over 30 in 20 countries. I confirm boulder setting is really high quality. Also easy boulder are very variable, from old school hard moves to very funny and tricky boulders in each level. I first time saw devided other zone to WARMUP - YOGA ZONE & Training zone. It is one of the best thing to be in good mood from start to the end of the session. Just toilets and change room was terrible, as it is normal in Berlin😔 Max *.:

Variety of holds ** Routesettings * Space * Safety * Fall zóne* Rest zone * Staff ** Beginners * Advanced * Training zone ** Warm up zone * Pub or restaurant zone * Toilets and change rooms * Public transit access...

I've been there four years ago and it was good. This time (2023) the cafe was still good but the boulder experience was really bad.

The colour coded grade system was confusing, (dark green and dark blue are so close together when the laminated labels are reflecting ambient lights.. then there's a dark purple and a black same issue) but that's not even starting to talk about inclusion of people with color vision deficiencies.

The locker rooms are way too small for a climbing gym that size and there's not enough toilets either.

Oh and you can't shower there, the showers are closed (supposedly since 2020 during COVID).

The worst part was how dirty and slippery the holds were. A picture's worth a thousand words so I'll attach some...

All in all I will think twice about visiting next time I'm in Berlin. There's plenty of alternatives that deserve a look.

But to be honest not all is bad, their Quiche is awesome and the Vegan Chocolate Cake...