Bloc Indoor Climbing Wall

“I e been climbing here on and off, several times a week, since it opened in 2015. Overall bristol has a massive range of options for climbing, which given it’s got one of the only inner city gorges, says something. Pros… Bloc is unique because it has great natural light. Lots of free-standing areas to walk around. Generally, I climb more at Bloc than any other centre, where I spend more time on the ground trying to unlock routes in my mind. So also more fun and therefore best value for me right now. In short, to climb more and progress faster, I go to Bloc. It’s independent with lots of free parking and outside the congestion charging zone. Plenty of hand sanitizer on the front desk is always a win. Coffee is awesome. So pleased to see a full set of kettlebells in the new gym. Cons. The bathrooms smell badly of poor hygiene. The setting is sometimes (often) left with a crux at the final move. The moves are a mix of comp style and indoor style routes than harder static moves. Grading is wider and softer to other centres (perhaps why I climb more here). For atmosphere, I’d prefer to know which sessions are louder energising music and which are the more chilled folk or sundown vibes. Consistency here would be good. Lighting above some routes is too bright and dazzles, needs diffusers. Too hot in the summer (but shouldn’t we all on real rock instead?!) Ideas. Host a local DJ for weekend evening sessions. Sell liquid chalk and refills. It feels commercial and corporate; therefore lacking ‘Bristol vibez’ that are imho inseparable from climber culture.”

“No more joining fees, great! We love this place! I take our kids (8 and 10) pretty often plus some evening climbing each week with friends. The kids both did Clip and Climb in the past but we all boulder now. The routes have a great range, easy to get started and plenty of challenge for later on. Everyone is really welcoming and helpful, staff and customers alike. One request I would have would be an up/down vote place for the music. It is usually great and sometimes… absolutely dire. I’m sure everyone feels the same way and if we could all vote, maybe it would be changed? 😅”

“Really brilliant gym on the outskirts of the city, roomy, plenty of low and high percentage holds and moves. Routesetting isn’t morpho, and the grading thresholds are in my opinion, generous until you start pulling on the whites at v6/7a and up. Plenty of room to chill, sit and stay out of people’s way when on mats, plus higher comp style routes and angles which is a big bonus. Staff were friendly, up for a quick chat with good options for drinks and food (tenzing, liquid death and even ice lollies!) It’s in a fat warehouse, loads of space for ventilation, at the consequence of no air con, which made the wall quite warm, but I doubt aircon would do anything in a warehouse this big. Missing one star based off of the sparing warm up equipment, I like the fact the warm up spot is even a thing, which many gyms slack on, but even a pinch block and some static bands and stuff would be great, maybe I missed them but I did bring my own gear. Honestly a great gym.”