Soldiers frequent local gym for indoor climbing

By Amber Avalona-Butler
Paraglide

	Photo by Tina Ray/Paraglide

With more than 8,000 square feet of climbing space, RedPoint Gym, located at 5213 Raeford Road, in Fayetteville, is a military hotspot of indoor activity.
Climbers choose from more than 30 stations to test their rock climbing skills, combining physical exercise with mental focus to push to new heights.

RedPoint staff host a number of climbing classes, including pure basics, a class designed to teach the novice climber about proper belay and climbing techniques (call 868-7625 for pricing and times).
If you’re looking for instruction, determine whether group or private instruction works best for you and find a climbing partner who matches your level of commitment. This increases the frequency of your workouts and improves performance.

What to bring: comfortable climbing clothes that offer a wide range of movement, climbing shoes, harness (or rent shoes and equipment) and a water bottle. RedPoint provides the ropes, belay devices and carabiners. They also stock a selection of items at the pro shop.

Soldiers looking for a free-climb (sans ropes) should keep in mind the 12-foot height limit, meaning they will top out early in the climb.

The gym provides an introduction to this style of climb, called bouldering, which builds skill and confidence.

To experience the full thrill of bouldering, though, athletes eventually climb at North Carolina’s state parks or rocky outcrops.

In addition to rock climbing, RedPoint offers CrossFit and mixed martial arts for the serious athlete. Classes include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Budokon, and modern Army combatives.
CrossFit and climbing classes are offered for kids as well.

The hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday to Thurday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A day pass cost $14; a monthly membership cost $60 and is for rock climbing only. A full access, 30-day membership is $124 and includes climbing classes, but rental gear is extra.

Share