Minnesota Climbing Cooperative — Local services in Minneapolis

When I listened to Go! My Favorite Sports Team! Explain that rock climbing is the easiest sport to get into, and the community is the nicest and most welcoming, MCC is the shining star of that claim. I haven’t been climbing since I was a teeny little guy, and I’ve been looking for something to better my general health. I just got the day pass to check it out, and wound up NEEDING to see which routes I can climb to the top (not many) and chatting with the regulars. Everyone is so nice that I somehow ended up doing grueling abs exercises with a group, and having a ton of fun.

I’m always polite but guarded around strangers, but these folks felt like old friends. The vibes alone have made...

I wandered into the Coop about 5 years ago. At the time, I could barely cross the street on my own so it was a miracle that I found the semi-hidden entrance to the place. I have been a big fan ever since. It’s true, the coop doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the bigger, more expensive gyms. Locker rooms? Sorry. Vending machine? Nope. Empty yoga room that nobody uses? Please. A class on How to Cook Spam at the Crag 101? Uh I wish.

What the coop has to offer is a cozy, supportive environment to climb. Off-hours are very quiet if you want to sneaky get strong. Or you can come in during open hours when the place has great vibe with a friendly,...

Definitely a personal favorite. I work at one of the other climbing gyms in the cities and appreciate being able to climb in a quieter, more personal space while I'm not at work. It feels like home every time I walk in, and I've gotten significantly stronger climbing here. This is a close-knit community and a good space to make new friends or just do your own thing, depending on how you feel. The setting is solid, and I love that...