The Overlook Boulder + Fitness — Local services in Atlanta

7/24/24 UPDATE: So no one bothered to let me know that they banned me from the gym and after my friends used their guest passes they asked me to leave. Update: spoke to Dana? Who claimed to be a manager. She was not willing to have a conversation. She raised he voice at both me and my husband. She claimed that the woman came over to me and started the insults to defend herself from my aggression. If I am at one area and she comes over and starts yelling at me how am I aggressive? Then she tried to claim that they had not parked in two spaces. They won’t last with management like Dana.

Will be canceling our membership after two years due to how I was treated tonight. I was also part of the medical group that helped save a life at a comp in June. I let them know that there was not much parking left and that the people who just checked in parked in two spaces so they may want to call a tow because there were many. I went on with my work out and the woman parked in two spaces came up to me and started cussing me out and screaming. I told her to go away and she wouldn’t. I walked away and let the front desk know that she was following me around the gym yelling at me and that he needed to ask her to leave. He did not. He told me to go to one side and her the other. She did not do as he had asked so I had to leave because of how aggressive she was being. I felt very unsafe. I let the same employee know on the way out and he said “Well you’re leaving so I don’t need to ask her to do anything now.” There is no excuse for this level of unprofessionalism on his part. I had not had an issue with staff prior to this. How can you workout in an unsafe place where the staff don’t support the people who are in the gym at least 7 hours a week for years over a screaming woman who can’t be bothered to use a parking space correctly who so clearly isn’t a part of the normally very positive group that uses the gym. I even had a comp shirt on. It’s just not a way to treat anyone let alone someone who you are familiar with who has never had an issue with anyone at the gym in over two years of 2-3 visits per week.

The gym: route setting is inconsistent as are the grades. Many boulders are simple ladder problems with a difficult reach at some point to create a challenge. There is not a lot of variation in style. The setting feels half hazard with flashable routes and then impossible routes with no in between. They do not set well for those under 5’6” or so so don’t bother bless you are a very dynamic climber. Also, difficult reaches are commonly at the last move of the route which is dangerous. I saw a good number of people get hurt during my stent there including myself from top outs that are very sketchy. They do not help keep routes clean so you will spend a lot of time brushing. There is now a food court open on the weekends so parking can be bad. On a Monday the lot was full at 7pm so how will you get to the gym? I spent so much time circling the lot for spaces and not climbing.

Comps: I’ve done three there. I did not enjoy any of them but kept trying because I thought they would improve. I am a 2-4 climber but many comp problems they set my husband who is a 4-6 and a friend who is a 6-8 can’t send my 2-4s. I have sent many 4-6 problems recently but couldn’t send a 0-2 there on two of the recent sets. If you ignore the grades it helps. It is clear to me that they are more focused on their kids classes and comps than adults. Also, call ahead because sometimes they close the gym to climbing and try to force you to pay because comedy is happening. They are not organized enough to post this on their website.

The kids: as an adult you cannot climb unless you go after 730 pm when kids classes are over. There is minimal supervision so kids run everywhere, don’t respect lines for routes, and often hang out under you while you climb. It’s very uncomfortable and dangerous. I have let staff know multiple times and no changes have occurred. This means you end up getting to bed very late on a work night just because you wanted to...

I’ve been to the overlook twice now (I joined at the end of my first visit after I had a chance to check the place out) and couldn’t have more positive things to say about it.

CJ gave us our orientation tour and was absolutely great. All of the front desk people have been friendly and welcoming as well.

Route setting here is great. I have been climbing for years and years, but coming back from a very long break has me starting on the easier stuff. I really appreciate that they still grant creativity and thoughtfulness to the easier routes they set. The grading system they have is a little broad for my taste, but I know those are very subjective.

I am so glad they have a little weights area, which is what ultimately put me over the edge on deciding to sign up for a membership rather than just coming to climb every once in a while. My one wish list item would be a cable machine for lat pull downs, face pulls, etc., but the area overall is surprisingly well equipped.

The crowd skews fairly young and everyone is very friendly and encouraging, which I tend to expect out of climbing folks. Mask compliance is at 100% here, with everyone wearing one over their nose AND mouth, and there’s plenty of space for everyone to keep their distance. They also keep the big windows and doors open a lot and it seems like the place has great ventilation. But because of that, I do recommend bringing a sweatshirt you can climb in. I got a little chilly without one my first time.

I have been so excited since I heard that this area was getting a bouldering gym and have been anticipating it since before they started construction. The Overlook definitely exceeded all my expectations, and even my hopes that I had...

This gym is a great addition to the west end. First of all, the gym is so cozy and so clean 🧼 ✨! But most of all, it’s a great value for the all the perks you get, especially if you’re new in town and looking to meet great people. They put together meet ups for all sorts of things: pint nights, potlucks, competitions, lbgtqia+ meet ups, youth climbing teams, clothing drives, watch parties for various climbing related things, community puzzles when you need breaks between climbs, etc. The routes are challenging and creative. The holds are also very clean and not caked up with chalk and grease which is always nice. They recently added a large kilter board in the last few months that is open for all to use. The mats are firmer than some of the other gyms I’ve climbed at but feel fine to fall on. If you’re nervous about falling safely, the staff will gladly teach you proper falling technique on your first visit. They also offer classes for beginners and up to improve your climbing technique as well as yoga, core strength, and others. I personally love the weight section of the gym. It’s big and spacious with plenty of standard 20kg bars plus a deadlift bar, hex bar, extra wide bar with no etching, dumbbells, kettlebells, bands, hang boards and benches. They have tons of plates too: both cast iron and bumper. The gym is also conveniently located right on the Beltline in case you want to warm up with a quick jog or grab a drink or bite to eat after your workout. Plenty of parking is available and the gym is easy to get to, although on occasion you may have to make a quick detour to get around whatever’s being filmed in the...