East Coast
General Rules
Dogs Pets are not allowed in the gym.
Age Climbers must be at least 5 years old at our Brooklyn location, and at least 8 years old at our West Harlem and Upper East locations. For gym use outside of youth programs: Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on the climbing padding. One adult is required for every child 7 years of age or up and for every two children between ages 7 and 12. An adult must be present in the gym for climbers between ages 13 and 15.
Lockers/cubbies Anyone may use the lockers and cubbies around the gym. Please don't leave items in them overnight.
Etiquette Learn about or brush up on your climbing etiquette to help keep the gym a fun and pleasant place for all.
Required footwear You must wear climbing shoes. Climbing barefoot or in street-shoes, approach shoes, flip-flops, or only socks is not allowed.
Shoe rentals You can rent shoes for the day if you don't have your own. Climbing shoes are required on the wall—plus they help you stick to the wall better than normal sneakers!
What time do we stop selling single visit passes? Single visit users can be in the gym during public hours. If a single visit user is visiting our Brooklyn location and is accompanied by a member, they can stay as long as the member is there. As a general rule, we stop selling day passes to anyone not accompanied by a member 1 hour before closing.
What if I forget my member key card at home? We will look up your account on the computer to confirm that you have an active membership. If you lost your key card, you'll need to buy a new one for $10.
How to behave on the climbing mat No flipping. No wrestling or roughhousing. No running. No jumping off of structures (top-out boulder, loft, ceiling, etc.)
CODE OF CONDUCT
Be courteous in your interactions.
Be slow to judge one another - start with assuming good intentions.
Be sensitive to the impact of your actions, even if the impact is unintentional.
Respect one another's physical and emotional boundaries. For example, ask permission before giving a spot or providing beta.
Language that harasses, intimidates, demeans, or mocks another person is unacceptable.
Be respectful of one another regardless of age, race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, marital status, ability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or any other status.
Single Visits & Punch Passes
Is a single visit good for a whole day? Yes! Take advantage of all the gym has to offer, including a class if space allows for a walk-in, during your visit. Visit your location's homepage for pricing. Day passes are only valid for the date they are sold on, not for 24 hours after they are sold.
How do punch passes work? What level of access do they grant? Punch passes are just another way to pay for a single visit, and so the same rules apply during each punch pass visit that apply for single visit customers. Punch pass holders aren't members. Punch passes can only be used for the customer who has purchased them. Visit your location's homepage for pricing.
Membership & Rates
Does someone who is not climbing have to pay to be in the gym? Yes, everyone has to pay to be in the gym, unless it is a parent supervising a member-child.
Is there a family deal? Yes. Each family member receives an additional $10 off of their monthly auto-pay membership, up to the 4th family member.
Who can receive the family deal? Only immediate family members receive the discount: parents, husbands and wives, children, siblings, etc. Cousins and other extended family cannot be on the same family discount. Family members must reside in the same household and must sign up at the same VITAL location. The price is discounted off the current membership pricing and cannot be combined with other deals or discounts (unless otherwise noted).
At which location should I become a member? You should become a member at your ‘Home Gym’. Your Home Gym is the gym you climb at most frequently—something we continuously monitor. While your Home Gym membership includes access to the other gyms, if you start climbing more frequently at a gym that is not your Home Gym, your VITAL membership will be changed to reflect your current Home Gym. Classes can only be pre-booked at your Home Gym; at other locations, you must take a class as a walk-in when space allows.
How far in advance does someone need to cancel their membership to avoid getting billed for the upcoming month (or to guarantee that we will refund the following month's charge)? One day before the renewal date of their current membership or earlier. When a membership is canceled, it will terminate immediately.
How do annual memberships work? Annual memberships are valid for one year from date of purchase and can not be cancelled, refunded, frozen, or auto-renewed . They are a one time purchase and are not considered as a part of legacy pricing. This means you can only receive the pricing available at the time of purchase.
Can I freeze my membership? We do not offer the option for members to freeze accounts. This is because we do not have sign up fees and allow you to cancel a membership at any time without penalty.
Kids
- How old do you have to be to climb? To climb or be on the climbing mat, you must be at least 5 years old at our Brooklyn location and at least 8 years old at our West Harlem and Upper East locations. For gym use outside of youth programs, minors under the age of 16 at all VITAL NYC locations must have a legal guardian in the building at all times. One adult is required for every child between ages 5 and 7 and for every two children between ages 7 and 12. An adult must be present in the gym for climbers between ages 13 and 15.
- Do kids under the minimum climbing age have to pay to be in the gym? No. They may not climb and do not have to pay.
- How old do you have to be to be a member? The climber/member must be at least 5 years old at our Brooklyn location, and at least 8 years old at our West Harlem and Upper East Side locations. A parent or legal guardian must sign a Liability Waiver and Member Agreement for those under 18. If a minor wants to climb during Member Hours, they must be accompanied by a parent.
- Who can sign a waiver for a minor? Everyone must have a valid waiver to be in the gym. Only a parent can sign a waiver on behalf of a minor. No aunts, uncles, brothers, friends, etc.
- Who should accompany and supervise minors? Public Hours: Anyone 16+ can climb by themselves. Anyone younger must have a legal guardian present except for those participating in youth programs. There must be one adult accompanying each child between ages 5 and 7, one adult accompanying two children between ages 7 and 12, and one adult in the building for children between the ages of 13 and 15. Member Hours: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- Are legal guardians allowed to wait in the lobby or upstairs? Legal guardians must accompany kids under 13 at all times, outside of youth programs. They must be on the mat with them, directly supervising them. Guardians of children between ages 13 and 15 must be present in the gym.
- Who is a legal guardian? A legal guardian is legally equal to a parent. They are legally appointed to care for a child, i.e. adoptive parents, etc. Brothers, extended family, etc. are NOT legal guardians. Legal guardians may do anything parents may do (sign waivers, etc.).
- SPOT YOUR CHILD It is extremely important that you are proactively spotting your climber while they are climbing and walking around on the mats. You will be an extra set of eyes making sure that they have a clear landing zone and, equally importantly, that they are not walking or climbing underneath any other climbers. For climbers under the age of 13 we require a 1:2 adult to child ratio on the mat. For climbers of the ages 5-6, we require a ratio of 1:1.
- If parent is climbing too Of course we want both parents and children to get to climb, however we do require that the parent always be the spotter when the child is climbing. That means that we need you to take turns getting on the wall. Whenever your parent is climbing the child needs to wait and watch them from a few feet away (not underneath the route in their fall zone) until they are done before they can climb again.
Groups
General Policies
- Groups cannot reserve tables or spaces in the gym.
- Groups cannot decorate spaces in the gym.
- Groups looking for instruction (Scout Troops, families or groups of friends wanting to take a clinic together, etc.) should book a Private Class at our Brooklyn location.
- Groups cannot bring in an outside instructor to the gym.
- VITAL does not offer a special rate for groups.
- Brooklyn: Due to the popularity of the facility, VITAL Brooklyn can accomodate groups of up to 16 people. Please email brooklyncrew@vitalclimbinggym.com for more information.
- West Harlem & Upper East Side: No reservation is required for groups with fewer than 10 people. If you are a group of 10 or more, please give us a heads up by emailing manhattancrew@vitalclimbinggym.com.
Kids Groups
- Kids groups must always follow our adult-to-child ratios outlined above in the 'KIDS' section.
- Private classes can be booked in Brooklyn for children following the below requirements:
- Participants must be at least 5 years old for climbing and aerial, and 14 years old for fitness, cycle, and yoga
- Parents must be spectators only during aerial and climbing private groups.
- The gym’s policy for child-to-parent ratio during private classes applies to groups of children between the ages of 5 and 7.
Accessibility
BROOKLYN
Facility
- Our facility is accessible, as are most of the fitness offerings, and includes an entrance ramp and elevator to access both the first and second floors
- The second floor includes access to the rooftop cafe, communal seating, and sauna
- The fitness & training area and yoga studios are accessible to wheelchairs
- The lockers are designated accessible lockers
- All restrooms and showers are all-gender and individual-occupancy, and over half are fully accessible
- Gluten free and vegan concessions are available
Rock Climbing
- Our ground-floor climbing is accessible and uses elevated foam padding with a ballistic nylon shell.
- Bouldering includes ground falls as part of the sport.
- Our rooftop climbing uses rubber mulch as the floor padding surrounding the walls.
Public transportation directions to VITAL Brooklyn from:
- Southbound B62 Bus at Union Ave: .2 miles heading west through McCarren Park
- Queens-bound B62 Bus at N 11 St: .2 miles heading north
- L Train at Bedford Ave (wheelchair accessible): .4 miles heading north-northwest
- G Train at Nassau Ave (not wheelchair accessible): .3 miles heading south-southwest
For specific questions regarding adaptive climbing and bouldering, feel free to contact ParaCliffHangers at paracliffhangers@gmail.com.
West Harlem & Upper East Side
Facility
- Our facilities are accessible, as are most of the climbing offerings. Our West Harlem location includes an elevator from the entrance to the main climbing level. Our Upper East Side location is entirely on the ground floor level.
- The West Harlem mezzanine contains more bouldering and is accessible by stairs only
- The fitness & training area and upcoming yoga studio are accessible to wheelchairs at both locations
- All restrooms in the West Harlem & Upper East Side gyms are all-gender and individual-occupancy
- Accessible restrooms at the West Harlem location are located in the lobby of the Jerome L Greene Science Center, which can be accessed directly from the West Harlem location
- The West Harlem basement contains bathrooms and lockers and is accessible by stairs only. Cubbies are available on the main floor.
- Gluten free and vegan concessions are available
Rock Climbing
- Our ground-floor climbing is accessible and uses elevated foam padding with a ballistic nylon shell.
- Bouldering includes ground falls as part of the sport.
Public transportation directions to VITAL West Harlem from:
- Southbound M4 bus at W 131 St: .08 miles heading downtown
- Northbound M4 bus at W 129 St: .03 miles heading uptown
- Westbound Bx15 bus at W 125 St: .1 miles heading west and uptown
- A, C, B, and D Train at 125th St (wheelchair accessible): .5 miles heading uptown and west
- 1 Train at 125th St (not wheelchair accessible): .07 miles heading uptown
Public transportation directions to VITAL Upper East from:
- Southbound M101, M102, or M103 bus at E 98 St: .04 miles heading downtown
- Northbound BxM1, M101, M102, or M103 bus at E 97 St: .01 miles heading uptown and west
- N (not wheelchair accessible) or Q (wheelchair accessible) Train at 96 St: .3 miles heading uptown and west
- 6 Train at 96th St (not wheelchair accessible): .06 miles heading uptown
RISK
- It is extremely important that no one runs anywhere in the gym (on the mats as well as the hard floor). We know how fast you are and we want climbers to be able to see you!
- It is important not to stand or climb underneath someone that is already climbing on the walls. Keep your eyes open above you!
- If you choose to follow a route, make sure that it will not cross anyone else’s path.
- When you get to the top of a top out boulder, we ask that you do not have a dance party up there, you might bump someone off. We need everyone to head down the ladder of gray holds right away.
- Gray top-out holds are the only holds in the gym that we ask you not to climb up because everybody is going to be coming down them.
Sauna
- The max capacity is 6 occupants.
- If more than 6 people are found in the sauna, everyone will be removed and the sauna will be temporarily closed.
- If the sauna is full, please limit your sauna time to 15 minutes to make space for others.
- Bathing suits must be worn in the sauna. A towel does not count. Underwear is not appropriate.
- Do not use essential oils on the heating component. This is a fire hazard.
- No electronic devices in the sauna.
West Coast
General Rules
- Dogs are allowed at our Carlsbad, Murrieta, and Bellingham locations if they are well-behaved, quiet, and on a leash. Dogs are not allowed upstairs, on the climbing mat, or on any furniture. Dogs are not allowed at our Oceanside location.
- Age Climbers must be at least 5 years old. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on the climbing padding. One adult is required for every two children.
- Lockers/Cubbies Anyone may use the lockers and cubbies around the gym. Please don't leave items in them overnight.
- Etiquette Learn about or brush up on your climbing etiquette to help keep the gym a fun and pleasant place for all.
- Barefoot Climbing You must wear climbing shoes. Climbing barefoot, with flip-flops, or in only-socks is not allowed.
- Shoe Rentals You can rent shoes for the day if you don't have your own. California locations require using climbing shoes. Bellingham requires any closed toe shoe.
- Outside Business Operations Neither members nor guests will solicit or conduct independent business operations at VITAL. Unauthorized activities include, but are not limited to, selling goods, promoting off-site classes, offering personal training services, or conducting classes that are not sanctioned in writing by the gym’s General Manager.
- What time do we stop selling Day Passes? We stop selling Day Passes an hour before closing. If you are the guest of a member, guest rules (outlined in our Membership Agreement) will apply.
- Wristbands All non-members (anyone who does not have an ID card on the board) must wear a wristband. Everyone in the gym needs to either be wearing a wristband or have an ID card on the board.
- What if I forget my ID card at home? We will look up your account in the computer to confirm that you have an active membership. Then, put a driver's license or student ID on the board. If you don't have anything to put up, draw an outline of a card on the board in chalk and write next to it: "forgot card". If you lost your card, you'll need to buy a new one for $5.
- How to Behave on the Climbing Mat No flipping. No wrestling or roughhousing. No running. No jumping off of structures (top-out boulder, loft, ceiling, etc.).
CODE OF CONDUCT
Be courteous in your interactions.
Be slow to judge one another - start with assuming good intentions.
Be sensitive to the impact of your actions, even if the impact is unintentional.
Respect one another's physical and emotional boundaries. For example, ask permission before giving a spot or providing beta.
Language that harasses, intimidates, demeans, or mocks another person is unacceptable.
Be respectful of one another regardless of age, race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, marital status, ability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or any other status.
Member Hour Rules
- What are member hours? Member hours are unstaffed hours when the climbing gym is exclusively available to VITAL members and guests.
- What is the procedure for member hours?
- Members will recieve a door code via email and/or text once a month to access the gym during member hours. Do not share this code with anyone or hold open the door for anyone.
- When you enter, scan your member ID card and place it on the board. If the scanner flashes red there is a problem with your account, please send us an email.
- Follow all the same general gym rules while at VITAL.
- When you leave, take your card. No need to scan out.
- How do I bring a guest during member hours?
- Have your guest sign a climbing orientation and visitor agreement.
- Ensure they wear a wrist band.
- All guests must pay for a day pass, even if they are not climbing.
- You may bring up to 4 guests during member hours.
- You must be present with the guest at all times.
- What if there is an injury during member hours? You are responsible for yourself. You may use the telephone near the check in area for emergencies. No smoking, drugs, or alchohol allowed in the gym ever. No one may be at the gym intoxicated ever.
- Is there an age requirement for member hours? Guests and members under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian at all times.
Punch Cards
- How do punch cards work? What level of access do they grant? Punch cards are just another way to pay for a day pass, and so the same rules apply to them that apply for day pass customers. Punch card holders aren't members.
- Is a Day Pass good for a whole day? Yes. With the purchase of a day pass, you may leave and come back the same day without having to pay twice. (Likewise with shoe rentals, you only need to pay for them once per day. If you leave and come back, you do not need to pay again.)
Membership & Rates
- Does someone who is not climbing have to pay to be in the gym? Public Hours - People can hangout and wait for friends without paying. Member Hours - Everyone has to pay to be in the gym, unless it is a parent supervising a member-child.
- Is there a family deal? Yes. Each family member receives an additional $5 off of their monthly auto-pay membership, up to the 4th family member.
- Who can receive the family deal? Only immediate family members receive the discount: parents, spouses, children, siblings, etc. Cousins and other extended family cannot be on the same family discount. Family members must reside in the same household and must sign up at the same VITAL location. The price is discounted off the current auto-pay membership pricing and cannot be combined with other deals or discounts (unless otherwise noted).
- Group Usage Please contact the manager for more information regarding group discounts.
- How far in advance does someone need to cancel their membership to avoid getting billed for the upcoming month (or to guarantee that we will refund the following month's charge)? Five days prior to the expiration date of their current membership.
Kids
- How old do you have to be to climb? You must be at least 5 years old to climb, or even be on the climbing mat. Minors under the age of 16 must have a parent in the building at all times. The parents must be on the mats directly supervising any climbers under 13.
- Do kids under 5 have to pay to be in the gym? No. They may not climb and do not have to pay.
- How old do you have to be to be a member? The climber/member must be at least 5 years old. A parent must sign a Liability Waiver and Member Agreement for those under 18. If a minor wants to climb during Member Hours, they must be accompanied by a parent.
- Who can sign a waiver for a minor? Everyone must have a valid waiver to be in the gym. Only a parent can sign a waiver on behalf of a minor. No aunts, uncles, brothers, friends, etc.
- Who should accompany and supervise minors? Public Hours: Anyone 16 and older can climb by themselves. Anyone under 16 must have a parent present. Member Hours: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
- Are parents allowed to wait upstairs? Parents must accompany kids under 13 at all times. They must be on the mat with them, directly supervising them.
- Who is a legal guardian? A legal guardian is legally equal to a parent. They are legally appointed to care for a child, i.e. adoptive parents, etc. Brothers, extended family, etc. are NOT legal guardians. Legal guardians may do anything parents may do (sign waivers, etc.).
- How old do you have to be to attend classes? Age requirements are different for each program: Climbfit 16+ Aerial 13+ or 10-17 for youth classes Yoga California: 14+ | Bellingham: 13+
- SPOT YOUR CHILD It is extremely important that you are proactively spotting your climber while they are climbing and walking around on the mats. You will be an extra set of eyes making sure that they have a clear landing zone and, equally importantly, that they are not walking or climbing underneath any climbers. For climbers under the age of 13 we require a 1:2 adult to child ratio on the mat. For climbers of the ages 5-6, we suggest a ratio of 1:1.
- If parent is climbing too Of course we want both parents and children to get to climb, however we do require that the parent always be the spotter when the child is climbing. That means that we need you to take turns getting on the wall. Whenever your parent is climbing the child needs to wait and watch them from a few feet away (not underneath the route in their fall zone) until they are done before they can climb again.
Risk
- It is extremely important that no one runs anywhere in the gym (on the mats as well as the hard floor). We know how fast you are and we want climbers to be able to see you!
- It is important not to stand or climb underneath someone that is already climbing on the walls. Keep your eyes open above you!
- If you choose to follow a route, make sure that it will not cross anyone else’s path.
- When you get to the top of a top out boulder, we ask that you do not have a dance party up there, you might bump someone off. We need everyone to head down the ladder of grey holds right away.
- Grey top-out holds are the only holds in the gym that we ask you not to climb up because everybody is going to be coming down them.