The various membership options at a climbing wall can be confusing. Most climbing walls have different membership options and choosing the wrong one could cost you a lot of money or have too little flexibility for your needs. Here’s a brief guide to help you choose the right membership for you.
Work Out Your Break-Even Visits
Most climbing walls charge around £10 to £14 per drop-in session. For the cost of the membership to be of value to you, you would need to climb more frequently than 3-4 times per month. However, at the same time, if you only climb less frequently than this then paying as you go would be more cost effective.
Rolling Monthly vs Annual Contracts
You would pay a little more for a rolling monthly membership compared to an annual contract, however you can cancel any time with a month’s notice. As an annual contract will lock you into a lower rate for the climb this would be ideal for someone who is confident that they will be climbing regularly throughout the year. Also worth noting is that there may be an early-exit fee for an annual contract, so make sure you check this before committing to a 12 month contract.
How Off-Peak Memberships Work
Off-peak memberships are significantly cheaper than the average membership and can be a great option for a freelancer or shift worker, as they are available during the off-peak hours of weekday daytimes (before 4 or 5 pm). However, if you are able to climb in the evenings and at the weekends, then the restrictions on an off-peak membership will far outweigh the savings.
Extras That Affect the Value
Some memberships come with discounted or even free coaching sessions, as well as lower prices for gear hire, and even a monthly guest pass for your friends and family. If you are a beginner climber then a membership which includes introductory coaching credits can work out to be cheaper than normal climb prices, so always check out what each membership includes.
Cancellation and Freeze Terms
It’s also worth checking out the club’s policy on freezing and cancelling memberships, especially if you sign up for an annual membership. Many climbing walls allow you to put your membership on hold for a month while you’re injured or away, making annual membership a far less risky option than it first seems.
For Climbing Wall Bristol, see https://www.270climbing.com/climbing/bristol/.
Also consider searching for Climbing Wall Bristol comparison to ensure you get the best membership before paying for it. These five key points need to be considered when comparing venues:
