EP Climbing

Is This HIIT Climbing Gym Starting a Trend? – CBJ Podcast with Michael Hauss

Is this HIIT climbing gym starting a trend? - CBJ Podcast with Michael Hauss
Graphic by Climbing Business Journal; all photos are courtesy of Michael Hauss

On this episode of the Climbing Business Journal Podcast, host John Burgman checks out a new gym, ROQ, that is currently expected to open this fall in Seattle. The gym is quite unique in concept within the climbing gym industry, although somewhat par for the course in the fitness gym industry. Guest Michael Hauss is the founder and CEO of ROQ. The boutique climbing gym will feature high-intensity, hour-long workouts in a class setting, led by an instructor or trainer. In their conversation, Hauss and Burgman talk all about how the concept for the unique climbing gym came about, and how Hauss plans to run it in the vein of boutique fitness gyms with classes, instructors, and very high-intensity group training.

General Topics Covered

  • Business Concept for ROQ
  • Class Structure and Programming
  • Target Market and User Experience
  • Hauss’ Background
  • Facility Design and Operations
  • Market Positioning
  • Industry Impact
  • Technology and Equipment Choices
Elevate Climbing Walls

Show Notes

Thank you Approach and Essential Climbing for your support!
And thank you Devin Dabney for your music!

Michael Hauss bouldering in the sun outside

Black and white photo of Michael bouldering

John Burgman

John Burgman is the author of High Drama, a book that chronicles the history of American competition climbing. He is a Fulbright journalism grant recipient and a former magazine editor. He holds a master’s degree from New York University and bachelor’s degree from Miami University. In addition to writing, he coaches a youth bouldering team. Follow him on Twitter @John_Burgman and Instagram @jbclimbs. Read our interview Meet John Burgman, U.S. Comp Climbing's Top Journalist.