
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.
“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.
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.”

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