In an industry defined largely by personal connection and community, a climbing gym’s front desk is more than just a check-in station: it’s a climber’s first experience of the brand, the vibe, and the people behind it. But training the staff who run that desk can be one of the biggest operational burdens climbing gyms face, especially during high turnover periods or when switching software platforms.
That’s exactly the pain point Approach set out to solve with Approach Learning, a built-in, on-demand training portal designed specifically for climbing gym teams.
Training That Meets Gyms Where They Are
Approach Learning is a self-guided digital resource offering quick, intuitive modules that are designed to cover essential workflows staff need to know, such as signing waivers, editing customer profiles, selling merchandise, processing check-ins, and more. Whether it’s a brand-new hire learning the ropes or a seasoned employee brushing up on best practices, the portal is built to support teams at every level of experience.
“From my own experience in the gym and now working with our customers every day, I know that onboarding new team members often means pulling a manager or experienced employee off the floor to get them trained up,” says Andy Henderson, Customer Success Manager at Approach. “I’m proud that we’ve been able to build something that helps lessen the burden of onboarding and is also scalable and empowering for our customers’ staff. Approach Learning is really a reflection of the investment we’ve made in our own Customer Success team. We’ve grown the team to nine superstars who bring great in-gym knowledge and a deep sense of care for our customers.”
Easing the Transition to New Software
Approach Learning also addresses a common challenge faced by gyms transitioning to a new gym management system: the fear of disrupting operations. Changing platforms can be daunting. Staff need to re-learn key workflows, and that often means slowing down service or increasing errors, which are two things no gym wants during peak hours.
With Approach Learning, that transition becomes far less intimidating. Gym owners and managers can assign training modules directly to staff, so their team can get up to speed before the software even goes live.
This proactive training system helps gyms hit the ground running, which is especially critical in an industry where every member experience matters.
More Than Software: A Partner in Growth
At Approach, tools like Approach Learning are part of a bigger mission: to be more than just a software provider. We’re committed to being a true partner to climbing gyms and helping them operate more efficiently, grow with confidence, and build thriving climbing communities.
“We believe in enabling gym owners to realize their vision,” says Henderson. “That means making sure their software isn’t a barrier, but a bridge to better service, better retention, and better business.”
From its clean, intuitive user interface to its commitment to the broader climbing ecosystem, Approach is investing in the long-term success of the industry. By reducing operational burdens and increasing team confidence, Approach Learning is one more way we are helping gyms create the spaces and experiences they’ve always dreamed of.
This story was paid for by the sponsor and does not necessarily represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.
