Central Rock Gym — Local services in Cambridge

I recently visited this gym while I was visiting Boston and noticed a recurring issue with the route setting. The problems set by the route setters seemed to lack an understanding of how climbers of average height approach climbs. As someone who climbs at a V7-V8 level in various gyms for more than 6 years , across Canada and in the states , I felt that the problems heavily favored taller individuals. The reach for holds appeared tailored to taller climbers, and the grading and overall problem design left much to become desired. The technical factors of each climbed felt repetitive without any "flow" . I can sense that the route setter have some ideas in mind and fun dynamic moves that was tried to be implemented, but it needs to be more friendly for the average climbers . As a climber of 6 years I had lots of questioning during each boulders and I felt disappointed. The highest grade I climbed was a V7 on a slab and the rest of the time I was only doing V4 because the holds were unrealistically unreachable..... & the price is ridiculous compared to other places . 2 stars because the had free chalk and the lady at the desk was...

The routes use very different skills, like crimps, foot balancing on a slab, dynamic moves, slopers, etc. This wide range of settings was really nice. The gym is very spacious and there are many routes with levels varying from VB to V10 (I didn't pay much attention to the high level though). The one negative that I felt was that even some V1s were super reachy. I have climbed in a few gyms and never had trouble with V1s or V2s. I felt like even easy grades were set for someone tall. The gym was very busy, but given the space and number of routes, I managed to climb quite a bit.

Also, the entrance is very small and the gym is in the second floor. You need to be buzzed in. (see photo)

I added a picture of the slab wall, which was...

I am a regular at Metrorock in Newburyport and this was an eye-opening experience to what I was missing out on. I am used to an environment that I wouldn't say is unwelcoming, but the atmosphere is very off-putting where I am used to. The opposite is true here.

CRG in Harvard Square embodies the famous "climbing community" I heard so much about when I started a year ago. People of all levels go here and just want to get better at the sport. It isn't filled with shirtless V4 guys just trying to send the hardest thing they can to impress their buddies after work. It feels like a much more serious, yet also chill, environment to be in. I was very impressed.

The routesetting and terrain...