FAQ/Rules

Rock Climbing Instruction

The Vertical Challenge is the perfect place to learn how to rock climb! If you are just starting out, sign up for the Intro to Climbing class to learn all the basics. Classes are limited to 1-4 people (larger groups can be scheduled by appointment) and are held hourly on the weekends. Missed a class? Get a soft drink and catch the next one!

To book a spot in class or if you have any questions please call us at 708-534-7005.

Climbing 101- Intro to Climbing

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS CLASS?

Climbing 101 program is designed to get adults and teens on the walls and climbing immediately! No previous climbing experience is necessary. If you’ve never tried climbing and wonder what it’s all about, Climbing 101 is for you. In addition to basic climbing skills you’ll learn the lingo and get comfortable on the wall. Climbing 101 does not cover belaying - you’ll spend your time on the wall, climbing with your instructor.

Our Intro to Climbing program is designed for adults with no previous climbing experience. Our instructors will get you climbing quickly and teach you some basics about knots and technique. After this class, take the Intro to Belaying class to learn how to control the ropes! Intro to Climbing will give you a taste of how exciting climbing can be and will start you on your way to becoming a certified belayer.

Price: $25 per person (sign up for Intro to Climbing & Intro to Belaying on the same day for only $45)

Times: Mondays at 7pm. Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Saturdays and Sundays hourly between 11am and 3pm.
Classes start promptly at the scheduled time. Please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance to get registered and set up with your gear.

Experience needed: None!

Intro to Climbing Includes:

* 1 hr of semi-private instruction (class size is limited to 4)
* Topics include basic climbing skills, equipment use, safety, climbing communication, knots and tying in
* Harness rental

Sign up for Intro to Climbing and Intro to Belaying on the same day and pay only $45! And you’ll get a special VIP pass that entitles you to great deals on gear and memberships!

Climbing 102-Intro to Belaying:

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS CLASS?

Maybe you’ve already taken Climbing 101 and you want to take the next step. Or maybe you just want to learn to belay for your kids. Or, you climbed years ago, but your belaying skills are rusty. If any of these apply, then Climbing 102 is for you! The focus in on belaying. You’ll also do a quick refresher on knots, safety and climbing commands. Afterwards you’ll be fully prepared for top rope belay certification.

Intro to Belaying is limited to 4 participants per class to ensure that you get plenty of individual attention. 1 hour class- harness included.

Price: $25 per person (sign up for Intro to Climbing & Intro to Belaying on the same day for only $45)

Times: Mondays at 8pm. Wednesdays at 8:30pm. Saturdays and Sundays hourly between 11am and 3pm.
Classes start promptly at the scheduled time. Please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance to get registered and set up with your gear.

Experience needed: Intro to Climbing class

Climbing Technique I

For Beginner to Intermediate Climbers

Not sure what to do next? Technique 1 (Climbing 201) is designed for belay certified, beginner to intermediate climbers looking to improve technique and gain confidence on the wall. You’ll get a thorough introduction to climbing technique and rock vocabulary as our professional instructors show you the ropes. We’ll also introduce bouldering and spotting to help get you comfortable everywhere in the gym. This class will give you the tools and techniques to propel your climbing to the next level.

Technique 1 is a semi-private program with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 participants per class. If you would like to take our Technique I class at a different time or privately, we’d be happy to set up private session at your convenience.

Price: $50 for non-members, $40 for members

Times: Technique 1 is a two-hour class. Classes available by appointment or take the monthly clinic

Climbing Technique II

For Intermediate Climbers

Technique II (Climbing 202) is designed for intermediate climbers who want to improve their climbing technique, learn to move more efficiently up the rock and push their climbing limits. Many climbers plateau at 5.8 or 5.9. We’ll help you break through by building on the techniques covered in Technique I. You’ll learn how to improve foot placement, body control, route reading and how to rest while climbing. You’ll also learn different ways to train and improve your strength. Finally, Technique II will help lay the physical and mental foundations for you to move on to our Intro to Indoor Lead Climbing.

Technique II is a semi-private program with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 participants per class.

Price: $50 for non-members, $40 for members

Times: Technique II is a two-hour class. Classes available by appointment

Intro to Lead/Sport Climbing Series:

Intro to Lead or Sport Climbing is a 2 week series that will take you from top-roper to lead climbing extraordinaire. Classes are limited to 6 participants per session. A provisional lead test is given at the end of the session. The final lead test is given when you’re ready.

Intro to Lead/Sport Climbing Includes:

* 2- two-hour sessions to learn and hone your skills
* Basic lead climbing topics—equipment use, safety, communication, clipping safely, belay technique, lead climbing skills and technique
* Free climbing for the remainder of the day after each class

Price: $85 for members, $100 for non-members

Qualifications:You must be able to comfortably and proficiently top rope climb any 5.9 route in the gym to participate. This is a safety issue. Leading will degrade your climbing by at least 1 grade. If you’re not solid on any 5.9 you are not going to be able to safely practice your leading skills.

Times: Intro to Lead Climbing is offered on Tuesday nights from 7-9pm. Call us to join the next available session 708-534-7005.
We will start classes promptly. Please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance to get registered and set up with your gear.

Class Reservations: Required. Reservations must be made in advance to secure your spot in this class.

 

 

 

Reservations: Advance reservations are recommended but walk-ins will be accommodated when space is available for basic level classes. If there is no room in class just hang out and wait for the next one(Intro to climbing only)!
Want to come with your own group? Just put together 3 or 4 friends. You’ll all get a 10% discount and we’ll work the session around your schedule.

Cancellations: Unfortunately repeated no-shows have forced us to enforce a 48 hour cancellation policy. When you reserve your spot we take a 50% deposit. Cancellations less than 48 hours and no-shows will be charged the full price of the course. This charge is not creditable against another class.

Clothing & gear: We provide everything - harness, Free chalk bag and hardware. Clothing should allow freedom of movement. Very baggy clothes and short shorts may make the harness uncomfortable. Yoga clothing works great. Gym shoes are a must!

 

Private Lessons and Coaching:

Private climbing lessons are the most efficient way to maximize your climbing potential in the minimum time. Our programs offer individual, personalized instructional programs tailored exactly to you. Private lessons are perfect for beginning climbers looking to learn and develop new climbing skills. More experienced climbers will advance their climbing to the next level in the shortest possible time.

Private climbing lessons range from a single session to a full coaching program of four to twelve sessions. We’ll work on technique, movement, self-confidence, balance, footwork, training, and much more. We use a proven process for our private sessions and coaching programs.

Here’s how our process works for Private lessons:

* First we’ll work with you to identify your personal climbing goals. Maybe you want to progress from 5.9’s to 5.11’s. Maybe you just want to unlearn some inefficient habits that you’ve picked up. Or, maybe your goal is serious competitive climbing and you need a comprehensive coaching and training program. We’ll work with you to establish a goal that’s ambitious yet still achievable.


* Second, we’ll do a personal, in depth evaluation of your climbing. Together we’ll identify your strengths and areas for development. We’ll then review your goals and modify them if necessary.


* Third, we’ll develop and implement a personalized lesson or training plan to help you achieve your climbing potential.

Get ready to climb hard! Call for pricing on Private sessions

Times & Availability: Private sessions may be scheduled at any time based on instructor availability. Sessions last one hour except by special arrangement. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your lesson to sign-in.


ANY VIOLATION OF THE SAFETY RULES WILL RESULT IN THE OFFENDING GUEST BEING REMOVED FROM CLIMBING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN!
 
Location and Hours
The Vertical Challenge Rock Gym at the Xtreme Plex in Monee, IL 

Now Open!

6360 W. Emerald Parkway Suite 110  Monee, IL 60449

Just West of I-57 at the exit. Go West to Ridgeland, turn Left to Emerald and the second bldg. South end. 

Hours:

Wed-Thurs- Fri: 4 PM- 10 PM

Sat: 11 AM- 10 PM

Sun: 11 AM- 6 PM


Contact us at 708.534.7005
 
 

Rock Climbing Safety Rules

Indoor rock climbing and bouldering involves certain inherent risks. It is the participant’s responsibility to understand these risks and make the decision to participate. At The Plex all climbers and boulderers must acknowledge these risks and take personal responsibility for their own safety by signing our Acknowledgment of Risk agreement(waiver).
 

 
 

 

Do You have a Belayer??

Belaying.” is the process of managing the safety rope. Every climber at VC requires a belayer. Unlike some recreation centers and climbing gyms, The VC does NOT provide automatic belay devices for unattended climbing. Nor do we routinely provide belayers or “attendants” to manage the safety ropes. It’s important to understand exactly what this means. If you can’t belay and you haven’t arranged for a belayer in advance, you probably won’t be able to climb. We strongly urge first time visitors to call ahead to discuss what arrangements would be best for you or your group.

Climbing sessions with our belayers are generally 1 hour long. Our belayers are specially trained to work with first-time climbers and make sure everyone is having a great time. To ensure the best climbing experience we limit the number of belayers on the floor at any time. Everyone will get plenty of climbing while at the same time getting the rest breaks they need to climb their best.

Belayers are available on weekends by appointment or on a first-come first-served basis. Weekends fill up very fast. Avoid disappointment! It’s advisable to book several days in advance. Weekday belayer availability is limited. Please call to discuss the specifics of your visit so we can arrange staffing.

NUTS & BOLTS
Pricing below includes gym entry fee, belayer fee, and harness rental. Climbing shoe rental and belayer tip are not included.

* 1 hour of unlimited climbing for 1 climber with a VC belayer: $25
* Each additional climber: $10(pass and harness)
* One Additional 30 minutes of climbing: $5

Availability & Times:
Staff belayers are available during regular Open Hours
Belayers are on a first-come first-served basis. To avoid disappointment we strongly discourage walk-ins for 1 hour belay slots. It’s best to arrive a few minutes early to get signed in and get geared up. Arriving late may cut your session short.

Reservations:
Reserve your time slot by calling several days ahead. Otherwise it’s first-come first-serve (and on weekends it’s long odds).

Group size & ages:
To ensure a quality climbing experience for you and our members, belay groups are limited to a total of 4 people per belayer. This can be up to 4 climbers, 1 climber and 3 observers or any other combination. We cannot “double up” belayers for larger groups. If your party is over 4 climbers please call to arrange a group visit. The minimum age for a belay group is 5.

Clothing & gear:
Kids should wear sneakers. We’ll provide everything else! Clothing should allow freedom of movement. Very baggy clothes and short shorts can make the harness uncomfortable. What works for yoga works well for climbing.

Waiver:
Everyone needs a waiver to climb. For climbers under 18 it must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. If you are bringing other kids please make sure that their parent has completed the waiver. You can download one here.

 

 
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