 |
PLASTIC PARADISE - The Front Climbing Club, Salt Lake City, Utah
  EnlargeThe legendary Front Climbing Club in SLC hosts some of most energetic, entertaining and badass competitions our sport has to offer. Here's a few looks from last years Mammut Sendfest, including Chris Sharma on his way to victory in front of a full capacity audience. Photos: Joe Iurato
|
Where is it?
Salt Lake City, Utah
Directions?
If you're on I-15, just look for Walmart at the 1300 S exit of SLC and you'll find us. Our website has a great interactive map complete with GPS coordinates if you get really lost.
What's in the gym?
Nearly 10,000 square feet of the best friggin indoor bouldering in the country! Full weight and cardio equipment, a wood floored studio for our free yoga and Pilates classes, a professional and licensed massage therapist for only $25/hr, full locker rooms, ping-pong, pool, and foosball tables, café, a full surround sound theatre with a 12' x 12' screen, retail shop with second and discontinued climbing clothes and some special combo packages from our favorite neighbors, Revolution.
Who designed the structures?
The old owners; Clark Shelk, Mike Uchitel, and Jay Powers. The original, yet not the best idea was to take the old Wasatch Front, previously The Body Shop, and make a large lead climbing gym. Clark Shelk, always thinking like a boulderer, convinced the rest to build a badass bouldering gym. Then, go add top-ropes in for the kiddies, include fitness club amenities like yoga and Pilates classes, weight and cardio equipment, lockers rooms, and entertainment to make it more of a community center where you can hang-out as well as get a pump.
Topping out?
Nope. You can go do dips in the weight room. Topping out here is grabbing the top rail - Always a good feeling.
When does it get crowded?
5-8 p.m.- Monday through Thursday
Any comps?
Citizen comp's every 2 months or so between October and May. We also hold some of the most prominent Big Gun comps during OR Shows in August and Jan. We haven't finalized this summer's OR show plans, but with it being the 25th anniversary of OR, we'll be putting something big together with fat cash purses.
How old do I have to be?
Under 12 needs an adult with them.
 Enlarge |
 Enlarge |
Hours?
Mon,Wed,Thurs,Sat 11a.m.-10p.m.
Tues &Fri 7a.m-10p.m.
Sun 12noon-8p.m.
Contact?
e-mail: info@frontslc.com
Telephone: 801-466-ROCK
Website: www.frontslc.com (Our website is rad.)
Ask the Local
Name? Gavin Merritt
Age? 31
When are the best sessions happening?
6-10p.m. has lots of energy! Earlier are smaller boulder sessions, but just as fun.
What's good about the gym?
Lots of skilled setters put up fresh problems every week. The weight and cardio equipment is great and the yoga and Pilates classes are taught by really incredible instructors. Everyone is super friendly.
What's bad about it?
Music - you either love it or hate it. They got satellite radio and the reggae station is played a bit too much. If you ask them to change it they usually will. However, bring a headset if you want to listen to angry music.
Anyone gonna beat me up?
There's always someone better climbing there, but the elitist attitude is gone now. All the hard cores are pretty helpful and motivating.
Rating from 1 to 10?
For me it's a 9. Killer gym.
