Vertically Inclined Rock Gym

I’m no climbing pro, but I think I may very well have started off on the right foot.
I’ve only ever been on a climbing wall a couple of times before, and those experiences were not only few, but quite far between as well… So I went into my first time at this establishment, with no real goals or expectations, just an openness to give it a try. My kids had been to VIRG for birthday parties, fully enjoyed themselves and had come back unharmed, so I knew I was in for a treat.
My previous experiences with climbing were not as involved, the other places gave me no information, just literally harnessed me up and directed me to the wall… so right off the bat, this place was a much fuller experience — they actually expected me to learn a thing or two and do all the work: a welcome change! The instructors gave us a lot of info, and I was a little concerned at first that I’d forget some of it at a critical point, but they were engaging enough, reviewed everything, and were always on hand, so nothing ever felt unsafe. Actually, over a week later, I remember all the vocabulary and actions even better than I did that night (I must have been climbing in my sleep!).
I did not go very high that evening, I did not aspire to, I mostly just wanted to figure it out and soak it in… but I did eagerly accept the ‘visit us again’ card and the brochure for the comprehensive semester program ‘ASPIRE’ — which looks like an excellent value. Though I’m a little slow to learn things at first (a downright derpy newb), once I get going I develop skills quite well and kick butt, so I’m not discouraged by my initial experience, and I’m very seriously considering taking this up as a new hobby. I’d probably call ahead if I plan to drop-​in though, so that I’m not there during an event, and have a little more space to move around. I love that you can bring your own equipment or rent theirs — I might like to get my own at a later time, if I stick with it, but, while I’m just learning the ropes, it’s convenient to rent.
I was quite impressed by the facility itself and the staff, so I’ll be back for sure!

5 stars are not enough. From booking the appointment to the last minute of our session the experience exceeded our expectations. Staff were helpful and informative… not in a ”my boss is watching’ sort of way but in a «I genuinely want you the customer to have a great time» way.
We had a party of 5 climbers. Ben, the instructor, was the best. He was great with the kids. He took time to engage everyone and always used their names. He had everyone climbing and challenging themselves in a no time, all the while keeping their focus on having fun and being safe.
Look forward to the next climb!!!

Such a great workout and so much fun! The staff and patrons are all really friendly and welcoming and it’s a really wonderful space with so many climbing routes to explore!
The space is not super large so you won’t ever get lost. Even if you get turned around a bit someone is always there to help. If you just drop in, you do have to get belay certified to use the top ropes. If you didn’t you would just stick to bouldering. There are so many different routes ranging from easy to pretty much spider man impossible that you will never get bored. There’s so many ways to challenge yourself and you’re getting in a great workout while having lots of fun! If you’re feeling ambitious, there’s a cave area to climb in as well!
I would definitely come back in the future. They provide rentals for everything you would need but if you wanted to come back more regularly, I would I invest in some climbing shoes as rentals are okay but probably not the best if you really wanted to get into the sport.
It’s affordable and so much fun! Plus they have student prices too! Try it out!

Hosted my son’s 7^th birthday at Vertically Inclined today– lots of fun for our group. 5 kids, harnesses, shoes, and instructor for 2hours for $ 100 plus tax. They also were fine with us using the picnic table for snacks and presents afterwards. I found the staff friendly and helpful. They even sell socks if you forget them.
I would love to go back– Be fun to go with just adults on an evening (they are open until 11pm.)
They also offer classes for kids/​adults, rates seem ok to me. We are definitely beginners, but seems there is lots to do for all levels.
Only con is seating area is small, wouldn’t accommodate a larger group or party. Bathrooms could use a cleaning too. Would recommend.

So I achieved my goal: I climbed above the skulls on the wall, eventually. This does not mean I am a very good climber, as this was my first time climbing, but my experience at Vertically Inclined was really great! Although I could have been overwhelmed with all the new information (which is all important for safety), all the staff checks put me at ease. Vertically Inclined is a great environment to take up climbing as a hobby and while I’m clearly a beginner, I was happy to try it out!
This place is rather busy/​popular but I knew that going in. It would be better if there was more parking but it is relatively easy to get to on transit. I like how you can go there and climb in so many different ways and I like the fact that they have so many knowledgeable staff members to help you out. The fact that your trip here includes equipment rental in the form of a harness and shoes really helps make me feel more confident. The addition of chalk for my overly sweaty hands is super helpful as well.
Maybe climbing isn’t currently the sport for me, but I feel like I’d be able to do it with more practice, more fitness and/​or an increase in jungle gym or hiking experience. And the fact that I was open to the idea that I wouldn’t necessarily be awesome at first really helped. I would totally recommend a visit here!

This was a terrific experience, and great for the entire family. You can also do this on your own or with a group of friends. Challenging, adrenaline pumping, good clean fun! Conscientious staff, excellent instruction. Everyone is safety oriented and really willing to share tips and tricks. The more you climb the more you learn, with infinite possibilities to «reach» new levels of expertise and lots of ways to push yourself further and yes, higher! Plenty of spaces to explore including caves, unimaginable angles and a variety of ways to tackle the walls themselves. Climbing equipment suitable for the beginner as well as advanced methodologies for experienced climbers. Everybody will find some fun, great challenges. If you’re a beginner or an experienced climber you will enjoy «climbing these walls».

I’ve never been to rock jungle or anywhere else like this so I have nothing to compare it to. However everytime I’ve been here I’ve had a great time and the staff has been great. It can be a little expensive if you have to rent your gear and your just popping in for an hour or two.

The staff are very friendly, and encouraging. The gym has lots of great routes and plenty of challenges for climbers of all ability. Pricing plans are reasonable and flexible. I highly recommend.

Being afraid of heights for my entire life, I was hesitant to even attend Unilocal’s Fit Club at Vertically Inclined Rock Gym. The staff and Jennie helped me to conquer one of my deepest fears.
I never thought it would be possible that I would ever try rock climbing, let alone make it to the top twice! I wanted to give up, but the expert and friendly staff encouraged me all while helping me feel safe and comfortable.
Thank you Vertically Inclined and I will be back!

I had a great time at Vertically Inclined!
I have climbed before back when I was in Jr. High… But it’s been a decade since then and I had little-​to-​no memory of how to do anything.
Luckily, staff gave us a super helpful introduction before we went up to ease us into it, and create a comfortable environment for asking lots of questions.
Staff helped my group of beginners pick a wall that wasn’t going to be too intimidating. The equipment was a bit tricky at first but there was always someone there to help me out when I felt lost… And I quickly got a feel for it. What a feeling of accomplishment when you can reach the pipe at the top! We were helped out by a few different staff members during our visit, and they were all very encouraging and quick to offer their tips.
I think I might want to get back into climbing– I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it! Huge thanks to Vertically Inclined and Edmonton’s Unilocal C.M. Jennie M. for organizing the Unilocal Fit Club Event. I’m sure I’ll be back soon!!!

Belay On! Climb! Climb On!
I cannot believe how much fun I had last night at Veritcally Inclined Rock Gym. I came with my hubby and two friends as part of Unilocal’s Fit Club in May!
Now, first… let me admit, I think I’ll enjoy it more and do even better when I lose half a backstreet boy (aka — post baby weight) but that didn’t stop me from having a blast.
Staffer, Robin, was helping out my group and he was GREAT! He encouraged us when we thought we couldn’t go further and had a handy dandy laser pointer he’d shine up on the rocks to tell us which one he thought would be our next step up or grip for our hands.
My hubby made it to the top twice in our 20 minute lesson and I was more than happy to get half way up the wall :-)
I really enjoyed repelling down the wall like spider girl after climbing and the swinging/​sitting mid air when taking a break was suprisingly fun!
Be sure to ask for chalk if you’re a newbie or nervous because it really helps you keep grip on those rocks!
The facility was amazing with TONS of walls to climb. If you’re more of a free climber or boulderer you’re a little more limited here but they have tons of rope courses and a few walls you can climb without being harnassed.
Bright, cheerful, and really supportive! I couldn’t have asked for a better first time experience!
I am definitely planning on returning and upping my personal best!
They offer adult and kid friendly courses (10 week adult one is hightly recommended and kiddos even have summer camp options starting at 5 years and up).
Vertically provides everything you need — just come in your workout gear and they will do the rest.
They also offer all day passes where you can come climb, leave — go grab lunch, run an errand, and then come back and climb!
My fellow Edmontonians, if you haven’t checked out Vertically Inclined Rocky Gym, you are missing out!

I found it very hard even on the easiest rock as I am not physically fit but I honestly gave it my hardest attempt. I may come back and try it in a few months but the staff were supportive and motivational during such a challenge! Thanks for the experience. :)

Adore the energy and the challenging climbing sections. Something for everyone as the staff are friendly and informative. I had climbed here a year ago with my son whom is 8, they are great at guiding kids. But often us adults need to feel the confidence within ourselves to JUST DO IT… any climbing skill level they can accommodate. :)

Ive been here once before but for city chase. Went Unilocal fit club event and not only recieved excellent instruction from the staff, but they let us out to roam the walls at our own pace. It was a blast.
The instructors were fantastic, facility was well set up. The walls had a varying degree of difficulty to challange new climber to the experienced ones.
Definatly going to be a repeat customer

Got to try out Vertically Inclined tonight and was NOT disappointed! The staff were awesome and always nearby when we had questions and they go over everything with you very thoroughly.
I knew it was going to be tough, what I didn’t expect was it to be so much fun as well! I can’t wait to go back!
Big thanks to the staff tonight! You all did an amazing job!!!

Wow.
I live and eat bench presses and squats, but I was really afraid that I’d have a hard time Rock Climbing because it uses much more back and forearm .
Vertically Inclined was the exact opposite of intimidating or scary. It has well informed had friendly staff, and after a quick 15 minute intro we were climbing.
My work mate and me had a great time, and it was hard to get the silly grins off of our faces. At one point I was stuck up on the wall and missed a grip and literally fell off the wall.
Luckily my work mate belayed me and my harness was working. I just dangled silly looking about 20 feet in the air.
Good solid work out for you fellow gym rats, and a really good way to work those supporting muscles that you might not work out otherwise.
I found my forearms were underdeveloped, but didn’t have as much trouble with the back /​lats part as I thought.
And FUN! Did I mention fun? I left with a smile on my face and would definitely go back.

Vertically Inclined is awesome! I’d never been rock climbing before but it’s something I always wanted to try. I got started at Vertically Inclined.
They aren’t expensive and they give you all the equipment and instruction you need to learn. It’s great!
Fair warning though — after your first time climbing, you will be sore! It takes some getting used to because rock climbing uses a lot of muscle that people don’t use a lot. It’s pretty intense.
My first time was tricky. It took me awhile to get the hang of it and to get a feel for it all (literally), but in the end I fell in love with it.
Bouldering is a great way to get started. It’s intimidating at first but it’s so much fun in the end. And I always feel such a great sense of accomplishment afterwards. It’s fantastic!
Try it!

If you have always though what rock climbing might be like this is a great place to start. The place is great and they provide you with everything you need to climb and they also teach you the basics.
It’s not very expensive and it’s a great time. You can quickly run out of things to do in this city and vertically inclined is something new and fun to check out. It’s a crazy work out and your body will be sore the next day but it is worth it. They also have so many different walls to climb that offer new tasks to conquer. They have something for everyone.
I think everyone should give it a go.

Last night I was introduced to Vertically Inclined by a friend that was also new to the sport of wall climbing. The experience was amazing! We decided to ‘boulder’ which does not require a harness or ropes… just climbing about 10 – 15 feet (approx) up… so you can jump down onto the soft floor or mats when you get tired.
My forearms and fingers were soooo very sore today after 2 hours of climbing! Initally is was difficult to get up and figure out how to place your feet or how to distribute your weight etc… but once you get the hang of it is addicting to keeping going!
Just as Jennifer P mentioned about the caves… they are super duper difficult to climb without proper technique and upper body strength but they were fun to attempt, haha! The suggestion she gave of a date place… that would so much fun! Or even a birthday party for kids (though the parents have to sign waivers for kids under 18).
I will definitely go back once my forearms are not as sore. Just go to the website for groups you can sign up for to learn more techniques, but for the most part you can just drop in (I suggest to go earlish 6:00pm on week days as it is open until 11:00pm and many people go around 7:30 — 8:00pm) and the staff are extremely helpful and nice! The website gives the exact prices.

My boyfriend introduced me to the world of indoor climbing at Vertically Inclined. It was a great place to learn. For about $ 27, they rent you all the equipment you need — shoes, harness, chalk and a lesson to get you going. The staff are climbers themselves and extremely supportive. I was scared the first few times I climbed with a rope and harness and «belayed,» which means to support a climbing partner by monitoring the rope that keeps them from literally crashing to the floor. When you leave, they tend to give out a $ 20 card to come back again. If you have your own shoes you save $ 5 each time and if you’re just coming to «bolder,» or climb the rocks only up to a certain height that doesn’t require a rope and harness, it’s just $ 10. They also offer more intensive courses to help you discover the world of climbing and «push through personal barriers.» Compared with the climbing wall at U of A, this is far superior. They have caves you can climb upside down through and a whole ceiling of roof climbing so you can pretend you’re Spider-​Man. Also they have various equipment like chin-​up bars and ropes to help you condition. There are couches and refreshments, music and snacks, so you can hang out, take your time, and rest in between climbs. I think this is a really cool place to go on a non-​traditional date. You’re doing something together, climbing requires total immersion and so it would really put you on the same page as your prospective mate and see what they’re made of; not to mention you get to check them out from down below, when they can’t see you. On a final note, I’m pretty sure it’s a fluke, but my boyfriend got his good running shoes stolen here the last time we went, so best to get a locker, cause when you’re climbing you can’t watch to see if someone’s high-​tailing it outta there with your stuff.