Flux Training Center
Vista, California
Specs: On May 12th, Flux Training Center opened in Vista, California, a city in northern San Diego County. According to Joseph Unitt, the Founder and CEO of Flux, the gym was founded from a passion the Unitt family holds for “climbing and the process of training specifically for rock climbing.” Before launching Flux, Joseph noted he had been climbing at some other gyms in the region where he felt there was a larger recreational focus and not quite the training setup he desired. “The idea for Flux was to try and have everything you need under one roof and create an environment for training and working out. We certainly also have bouldering walls to have fun on, but, again, everything was designed to help climbers who were motivated to train and get stronger and achieve the goals they had set for themselves and their climbing season.”
One training-centered aspect of the facility is the “ABC” scale for grading climbs, a circuit-style system that groups climbs into just three ranges. Each letter represents a 4-5 grade range, and within each range are also different symbols denoting specific qualities of the climb (competition-style boulders, for example, have a gold star). “The idea is to create a mindset of not chasing grades—just enjoying the movement of the climbs and learning the skills and technique required to complete the climb,” Joseph said. He also has observed climbers sometimes not attempting certain boulders that fall out of their perceived grade range and hopes Flux’s grading and setting will help mitigate that outcome. “We really want people to go back to the enjoyment of just climbing for the fun of it and enjoying the process of getting better at climbing.”
In addition to 3,300 square feet of climbing surface—including the bouldering walls, Kilter Board, Tension Board 2 and spray wall—Flux features campus boards, a 14-foot hangboard rig and a mobility station. On the first floor is also a full-weight station and squat rack, and the second floor has additional mobility and hangboard amenities as well as a lounge. The 7,200-square-foot facility previously consisted of four separate suites that the gym owners decided to open up, opting for one open space with a mezzanine.
According to Joseph, the gym’s location was a fitting spot for the Unitt’s vision because of the many strong climbers in the area and the building’s proximity to the highway, ample parking and 24-foot-high ceilings. Vista is also home to the Unitts: Joseph, Lori, Spencer, Jesse and Ethan. The family now operates Flux as a team; Joseph is the CEO, Lori works in marketing, Spencer is the web developer and IT coordinator, Jesse is the head routesetter, and Ethan is the gym’s personal trainer. “Opening the gym with the family just came about because we each have something to add to the business. We have been climbing as a family since the kids were very young, so they have always been involved with climbing throughout their lives,” Joseph said. “My only advice [in operating a gym as a family] would be to be prepared to compromise; you can’t use every idea that everyone has, and we need to be able to step back and let others’ ideas be heard and try to see what the best outcome would be.”
Walls: EP Climbing
Flooring: Strati
CRM Software: MindBody
Website: fluxtrainingcenter.com
Instagram: @FluxTrainingCenter
In Their Words: “My advice to anyone looking to open a gym in 2024/2025 is do your homework, understand what the market is like in your area and if the area will work for what you are wanting to do. Be very patient with the process; there are going to be a lot of hiccups that you don’t budget for or even know to budget for. Also, obstacles will get in your way, and be prepared to push through them. It is mentally exhausting as well as physically, but it is achievable if you really want it.” – Joseph Unitt, Flux Training Center CEO/Founder.
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.
