Do you really use your woody?

One item that also makes home walls compelling is the Return on Investment.

For me living in Denver a monthly gym membership is ~$60, therefore a year would cost $720.

It takes about 35 miles round-trip to the gym and back. If I was dedicated and visited 2x weekly for a year (100 visits) the mileage would be at least 3,500 miles. At 25MPG and $3.50/gallon that is ~$500 of gas cost.

Total cost for Gym Membership in a year is $1,220 (assuming no-one is sharing the ride/gas cost with you). The cost per visit is ~$12 (really not that bad) if I was to climb 100 days a year. At 50 days of climbing per year (1x/week) the cost per visit is over $19.

A climbing wall should cost ~$750 (depending on size, # of holds, etc). At that price you break-even between 40-60 visits or about 7-9 months. Assuming you were the sole user on the wall. Really quite affordable when comparing purely on a cost basis.

Numerous factors apply such as membership costs, how close you are to your gym, and how often you climb. Gyms also provide a lot more then just climbing as others have mentioned.

This is really just a way to help justify a home woody if you are trying to make the costs make sense!!!

I see your point, but I think your numbers are way off. The last gym membership I had was $320/year (not including tax), and it was on my commute, so I wasn't driving any more than 1 mile out of my way per visit.

And I spend over $200/year just on holds. Five "mini-jugs" from e-grips costs $79, not counting tax and shipping.

But as you said, YMMV.

Monomaniac wrote:I see your point, but I think your numbers are way off. The last gym membership I had was $320/year (not including tax), and it was on my commute, so I wasn't driving any more than 1 mile out of my way per visit. And I spend over $200/year just on holds. Five "mini-jugs" from e-grips costs $79, not counting tax and shipping. But as you said, YMMV.

Damn 25 bucks a month for a pass? Where are you climbing at? Sign me up!

Eric Dorsey wrote: Damn 25 bucks a month for a pass? Where are you climbing at? Sign me up!

See the "Does Albuquerque Need a New Climbing Gym" thread.

There is a lot of great advice here.

This is what I have gathered. I like Andy's breakdown. I live 45 minutes from the nearest decent climbing gym. Gas is a consideration, 16 bucks for one session. 75 bucks a month for a membership. The gym gets super crowded after work. Would much rather go outside if I am going to drive anywhere. Install lots of T nuts for flexibility, make it overhanging. Sounds like most of you have made good use of your walls. Most importantly, I must stay out of the fridge and off the couch. I am not a boulderer but I am quite obsessed with climbing and have been known to boulder on my bricks in front of the house, sweet edges. Maybe if I throw a TV in the garage too that will help.

Ya'all talked me into it, I am going to order a bunch of holds and start building, which should part of the fun.

Thanks everyone!!!!

This is mine. I use it all the time(3-4 days per week). It is perfect for me. I have three little kids, so I can't spend hours at the gym. It gives me a place to train that is obviously very accessible. I only climb about an hour, three or four times a week, and I have never climbed stronger than I do now.

My vote is go for it. My wall has cost about $1000, not counting holds.

very cool...looks like a real pro' climbing gym set up.

Nice!!!!

I never get to use my woody anymore.

If anyone cares, here is what I ended up building and what I have learned.

Build as many angles as possible.
Make sure your area is heated. I have some space heaters and insulated my garage ceiling and garage door, but when it gets below 20 degrees outside it is still hard to get the area warm.
Drill at least 100 holes with T nuts in each 4x8 sheet of plywood (3/4 inch)
Don't build an adjustable crack machine, just do fixed width. Use at least a 2x8 not a 2x6, when you do your jams you your fingers are at the edge of the 2x6 and you may be tempted to cheat.
A bouldering pad is essential.
Don't lose function of the garage, doors, parking the car etc.
Buy lots and lots of holds.
Invite your friends over to help motivate you and to help develop routes.
I was able to build shelves behind the wall for storage.

Sweet dude! I remember reading this post when it first came up. I love it when people follow up with what they did.

Now, hopefully, we'll see how that other guys trip to J-Tree with his girlfriend goes.

Ya, dude, I'm excited for you. I'm glad you reposted. It looks like I might be in a position to build one soon too.

I dont use my woody near enough........but I try once a day, if at all possible.....

My woodie is in hibernation for the winter,,it's ice season now!

When the weather is crappy or the bugs are on patrol I'm in the basement. Was lucky when I went back to Pa. found out a friend was getting rid of his,snatched it.

mountainproject.com/v/10685…

mountainproject.com/v/10685…

I love my woody.... especially on nights like this

It does help to have a few friends around to help with the motivation...

it depends on where you are and if anyone is using it with you

Kevin Presley wrote: If anyone cares, here is what I ended up building and what I have learned. Build as many angles as possible. Make sure your area is heated. I have some space heaters and insulated my garage ceiling and garage door, but when it gets below 20 degrees outside it is still hard to get the area warm. Drill at least 100 holes with T nuts in each 4x8 sheet of plywood (3/4 inch) Don't build an adjustable crack machine, just do fixed width. Use at least a 2x8 not a 2x6, when you do your jams you your fingers are at the edge of the 2x6 and you may be tempted to cheat. A bouldering pad is essential. Don't lose function of the garage, doors, parking the car etc. Buy lots and lots of holds. Invite your friends over to help motivate you and to help develop routes. I was able to build shelves behind the wall for storage.

Looks solid. You should add in a roof connecting the two walls. Having a few extra moves on a roof really help with the routes and will feel like you completed a climb.

As far as holds go I would not buy a ton at the beginning as you can easily end-up buying too many of the same difficulty and end up later down the road with a lot of holds that are too similar and potentially too easy. You need a good starting point, but diversity and building your collection over time seems to be the most effective thing to do and it looks like you have a good start.

Also you should post your photos in this thread as that is the ongoing showcase thread: mountainproject.com/v/gener…

M Sprague wrote:you can get some information here to start: moonclimbing.com/systems-tr… Different people have slightly different takes on it. Check Udo Neumann's ideas too: nadventure.com/Training/sys… If you dig around here, I bet you can find where it has been discussed more and you will find more links.

Just finished building my woody, and was reading up on posts to figure out the appropriate holds. My board is 4 ft wide by 16 ft tall, at a 45 degree angle. I was thinking it's a better system board than bouldering wall.

what holds would you guys suggest?