Looking straight up a rock face several meters high and conquering it with your own chalky hands can make other life situations seem a bit more manageable. If anything can make a person feel empowered and fit, it's climbing a wall like Spider-Man.
Rock climbing offers a unique way to sculpt hidden muscles, but it also tests your strength, pushing your limits to the max. Whether it's inside a climbing gym or outside in the open air, challenge yourself at one of the climbing gyms around Atlanta.
1019 Collier Road NW, Suite A, Atlanta. 404-351-3009. www.atlantarocks.com
Climbers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to visit Atlanta Rocks! While several camp sessions for youngsters take place during the summer, Wednesdays a.k.a. College Student Days are for the big kids. Home-schooled? No worries. There's a program for you, too. And for those new to climbing, the facility encourages first-timers to make an appointment to discuss your options. Rates begin at $5, and you can even sign up for a membership.
Wall Crawler Wall Club
1522 DeKalb Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-371-8997. www.wallcrawlerclimbing.com
Wall Crawler offers kids programs, indoor and outdoor sessions and memberships. Touting itself as "one of the best training grounds...for newbies and veterans alike," the gym has more than 8,800 square feet of indoor rock-climbing surface. Take the Intro to Indoor Climbing class to learn the basics or shake the dust off old skills with the Intro to Lead Climbing and Intermediate Technique. It's even perfect for birthday parties or work events.
Stone Summit Climbing and Fitness Center
2801 George Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw. 770-545-6227.
3701 Presidential Parkway, Atlanta. 678-720-9882. www.ssclimbing.com
With no minimum or maximum age requirement, enthusiasts of all abilities can climb at this center. All memberships, punch passes and day passes include climbing and yoga classes, a full line of cardio and strength equipment, full-service locker rooms and towel service. Visit Stone Summit for a day session or host your next celebration there.
3694 Kennesaw South Industrial Drive, Kennesaw. 770-794-1575. www.escaladegym.com
Escalade offers a variety of activities for climbers including one-week summer camps for ages 6-12, college and family nights and a slew of memberships. There's even one designated just for active military, police, fire and rescue, EMT personnel and teachers. Check out the new Climbtopia attraction, available for everyone age 5 and up, to mimic your childhood playground days. This one-of-a-kind family adventure features themed climbing challenges, such as the Astro Ball, the Lightning Crack and the Orbital. And no experience is necessary.
