News

Nov 08, 2024

Beer, ping-pong and bouldering at Circuit Gym in Eugene

It's been over a year since the team at The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Eugene started working on the city's newest climbing gym. Located in a former Firestone building on the corner of 11th and Pearl,

It's been over a year since the team at The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Eugene started working on the city's newest climbing gym. Located in a former Firestone building on the corner of 11th and Pearl, the gym is finally starting to take shape.

Colorful climbing holds are being placed into the walls. The front desk is being set up with computer programming. Drilling and hammering are constant in the air as finishing touches are being made.

"I know the owner of all the Circuit Gyms has taken a lot of pride in making the gym as perfect as you can make it," Eugene Circuit Manager Todd McCormick said. "He didn't want to cut any corners."

The intentionality behind the construction of Circuit is clear: benches and barstools are made out of reclaimed metal from the building and a handmade ping-pong table greets climbers when they walk into the door. Huge windows back the bar and welcome desk area, allowing natural light to filter into the gym.

The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Eugene will be the third rock climbing gym in the city. Besides bouldering (rock climbing that is done without a rope on walls 10 to 20 feet tall), Circuit will offer a fitness area with weights and cardio machines, community events and a bar that serves beer.

"I love climbing, so I think to give people in the city of Eugene options, or other choices of where they can climb, is great for the climbing community," McCormick said.

McCormick has been climbing for over 20 years now and has seen the sport spike in popularity since his first days on the wall. He moved to Eugene from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where there was only one climbing gym originally. Now there are three gyms in the city.

"Gyms are becoming popular in small and mid-size cities as well, which is a testament to the popularity of the sport," McCormick said. Eugene has two other rock climbing gyms: Elevation Bouldering Gym and Crux Rock Climbing Gym.

Something that makes Circuit stand out from these gyms is that they have a bar for climbers to socialize at after doing their workout. The bar will offer beer, hard cider, and hard kombucha. McCormick is excited about this aspect of the Circuit because he thinks it makes the gym into more than just an exercise space.

"When you're climbing, the conversation might be about doing a boulder problem, and when you're done climbing you can go to the bar and have some real conversation," he said.

The Circuit will be a great space for those who have never been bouldering and want to try the sport out. They are offering a free first-visit deal to customers who have never been to a Circuit Gym before. The gym will also be doing a 30 for 30 deal, in which curious climbers can trial a month at the gym for $30.

"Climbing can really be for anyone, and Circuit believes that at its core," McCormick said. "Going into a gym and seeing people of all different sizes and builds climbing helps you see that you can try climbing no matter who you are or what your background is."

The Circuit is planning on soft-opening in the middle of November. Right now, the team is finishing up the bathrooms and creating the first set of climbing routes on the wall. About a month after they open, they are hoping to hold a grand opening party with coffee, local food trucks, a fun climbing competition and maybe even a movie screening.

For updates on opening day and other Circuit Bouldering Gym news, tune into the Circuit's Instagram or website.

Samantha Pierotti is the food, drinks, and "things to do" reporter at the Register-Guard. With tips on restaurants or local happenings, you can reach her via email at [email protected].