Asana Bouldering Flooring

A 24-Hour-Access, Training-Focused Gym in Reno

A climber ascends the bouldering walls at The Block Climbing and Fitness
In May of last year, Matt Othmer and Sean Haverstock opened The Block, a training-style climbing gym with a mix of bouldering walls, adjustable boards and other training-focused amenities. (All photos courtesy of The Block)

The Block Climbing and Fitness
Reno, Nevada

Specs: Matt Othmer and Sean Haverstock opened The Block—a 24-hour-access training gym in Reno, Nevada—in May 2024. The gym is focused on “quality over quantity,” Othmer said, based on “the same necessity-driven, light-and-fast ethos used on many of the world’s most impressive climbs.” According to Othmer, the ownership team believes the value provided within the facility is based on what they have eliminated—corporate events, youth teams and regular staffing—as well as what they have chosen to include—1,300 square feet of climbing wall surface split between the bouldering walls and a Kilter Board, Tension Board 2, Moon Board and adjustable spray wall, with walls reaching 15 feet. The 8,000-square-foot gym also features 750 square feet of coworking space, fitness equipment and a stretching and rehab area.

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“I first walked into a climbing gym almost 30 years ago, when I was 11, and it is not an exaggeration to say that every decision I have made since that day has in some way revolved around the sport,” Othmer said. In his twenties, Othmer was “doing the international dirtbag thing,” he said, living in Yosemite and working on the Search and Rescue team. When he moved to Reno in 2015, Othmer noted he wished there were more training-focused climbing options in the area. In 2019, Othmer and Haverstock began discussing the concept for a climbing gym at their local crag, met a couple of times to “crunch numbers,” but “for various reasons—including COVID, uncertainty and busy lives—the project got shelved,” Othmer explained. However, the idea continued to gnaw on the pair, and they found themselves discussing it regularly. Then, in 2022, Othmer and Haverstock decided to go for it. “That started what became about a two-year process to actually get the doors open,” Othmer added.

A look at the bouldering walls, training boards and fitness area inside the facility
In 2019, Othmer noticed a small CrossFit gym in a “barebones” warehouse space, which ended up being “the spark” for The Block’s design, he said. “Climbing training boards were really taking off, and at that moment it occurred to me that an everything-you-need, nothing-you-don’t style [of] climbing gym could go into a similar warehouse space.”
Some other observations influenced their decision to plan a gym in 2022, as well: an increase in climbing’s popularity and a belief that there was room for more differentiation in the industry, “for a sport as nuanced and complex as climbing,” shared Othmer. “We believe The Block is part of a new generation of gyms that have a tighter focus.” Both Othmer and Haverstock live in the Reno/Tahoe area and wanted to build The Block with that tighter focus in mind. “Luckily, Reno is a rapidly growing city and is being recognized as a good place to live for outdoor enthusiasts,” said Othmer. The team found an existing building with a ceiling height and location that fit their vision, as well as a willing landlord, and got to work.

At The Block, the owners chose not to include youth programming among the gym’s offerings, with other gyms nearby already providing that service. “I want to be clear that we are very supportive of kids of all ages going climbing both inside and outside,” Othmer stated. “With that said, we believe that there is value in spaces that are geared more toward adults.” He described how there can be a trade-off with each business decision, and they felt like The Block could better serve the community this way. “The Block appeals to the climbers on the other end of that trade-off,” Othmer explained, “who want a more focused climbing gym experience.”

Another look at the gym's bouldering walls and training boards
“We have a lot of gratitude for this sport and the people who are involved in it,” said Othmer. “The Block is our attempt to add value to the ever-growing climbing community locally and beyond.”

Walls: OnSite
Flooring: OnSite
CRM Software: Capitan
Website: theblockclimbing.com
Instagram: @TheBlockReno

In Their Words: “For bootstrappers: Buckle up and get ready for what you’re jumping into.  Among the biggest lessons that we have been learning (and to be fair, were told) is that gone are the days when marketing and sales could be an afterthought. Be prepared to spend a lot of time and money on this. The other thing I’ll say is don’t get “buyer-itis”—really dig into numbers…If you can’t afford to fail, think hard about what you are willing to risk.” – Matt Othmer, The Block Co-Owner

Naomi Stevens

Naomi is a personal trainer and a routesetter who has also worked at climbing gyms as a youth team coach. After starting college at Colorado State University in 2017, she wanted to make new friends and found climbing, fell in love, and now climbing dictates most of what she does. Naomi earned a bachelor’s degree in Ecosystem Science & Sustainability, and when not climbing she enjoys baking, gardening and crafting.