Most bouldering walls will have different membership options available, and getting the wrong one can end up in you paying too much or being locked into a membership that doesn’t suit how often you climb.
Pay As You Go Versus Monthly
A single session at a bouldering wall usually costs between £10-£14 per visit. But if you climb twice a week or more then joining a bouldering wall for a monthly membership is usually best value. The membership will cost between £30-£45 per month but the more you climb the more you will save. If you only climb from time to time then paying per visit is usually best value.
Off-Peak Memberships
Off-peak passes. These are best described as limited access memberships. They can cost less than half the price of a standard membership and generally are for use during weekday day time weekdays. Of course if you work in the evening or have children then these may not be for you. However for those with flexible schedules then off-peak passes can be one of the cheapest ways to boulder on a regular basis.
What Is Usually Included
The standard membership will usually only include entry to climb and will not include things like shoe hire and chalk. Many gyms will include things like locker hire and chalk bags though, so make sure you check before comparing the prices of the different membership types.
Family and Junior Options
Junior memberships generally apply up to the age of 18 years and can be significantly cheaper than a normal membership. A number of walls also offer family memberships. The exact entry allowance for accompanying adults can vary between walls. For example some walls may allow 1 or 2 accompanying adults.
Commitment and Cancellation Terms
A rolling monthly contract will usually allow you to cancel at short notice, whereas an annual contract will be cheaper but a real pain to cancel early. As with any gym membership contracts, it is worth reading your rights before committing to a bouldering membership. For a comparison of several local bouldering venues, search for Bouldering Near Me to see options in your local area, along with their specific terms.
Compare before you buy membership types to save a lot of money over the year.
