Classes / Sign-ups - The Stronghold Climbing Gym

classes & clinics

We offer a wide range of intro classes, clinics, and workshops on a regular basis. Begin your climbing journey–or take your existing skills to the next level–with the expert instructors at the Stronghold.

The Basics → Lead Climbing →
Climbing Outdoors /
Grade Progression & Fitness

Keep an eye out for our monthly newsletter (subscribe below) to be among the first to hear about new clinics and events. You can also check out our Events pages at Lincoln Heights / Echo Park to see all the community events going on at The Stronghold!

THE BASICS

Start with Intro to Climbing at Lincoln Heights, or Intro to Bouldering at Echo Park. After that, try Intro to Belaying at Lincoln Heights to learn how to use the ropes like a pro!

INTRO TO CLIMBING

The perfect introduction to the world of climbing for first-timers! In this 90-minute class, you’ll get to try our autobelays, rope climbs, and boulders, all with expert guidance and professional belaying from your instructor. (If you’re ready to learn how to belay, take our Intro to Belaying instead!)

You must be 12 or older to take this class.

Free for members / $40 for non-members.

INTRO TO BELAYING

A great next step after “Intro to Climbing!” This 90-minute class will prepare you for our top rope certification test. Learn the figure-eight climbing knot, partner safety checks, proper belay technique, and more.

You must be 14 or older to take this class.

Free for members / $45 for non-members.

INTRO TO BOULDERING

Prefer to try rock climbing for the first time at our Echo Park location? Take this 60-minute class to learn the fundamentals of bouldering, including movement technique, how to fall as safely as possible, spotting basics, climber etiquette, grading systems, and more!

You must be 12 or older to take this class.

Free for members / $40 for non-members.

LEAD CLIMBING

Progression: Intro to Lead → Lead II → Take the Fall: Fear Management

INTRO TO LEAD CLIMBING

The Stronghold’s Introduction to Lead Climbing class will help you make the heady transition to the sharp end! Lead climbing involves a good deal more risk-management than top-roping, and belaying the leader requires more skill. As such, you must be top-rope certified before taking this class, and you should feel very confident with both top-rope climbing and belaying.

We strongly recommend having at least three months of consistent top roping climbing/belaying experience before learning how to lead.

$45 for members / $90 for non-members.

LEAD CLIMBING II

Want to improve your lead climbing and belaying? Our Lead II class can help you strengthen your foundations and expand your skills. Topics include clipping alternatives, Gri Gri best practices, falling and catching practice, advanced belayer positioning, belaying without looking, taking slack quickly, mental game, and more.

This is not a refresher course; please take Intro to Lead again if you need a refresher of the basics.

$30 (members only)

SKILLS FOR CLIMBING OUTDOORS

All classes & clinics under this category will be taught indoors at one of our facilities to help you safely transition from gym to crag!

Progression: Fast Track (12-Week Series) or One Concept at a Time: Anchors I & II → Rappelling → Cleaning → Multipitch I & II → Multipitch Tips & Tricks → Crack Climbing I & II → Trad I & II → Self-Rescue

INTRO TO CRACK CLIMBING I & II

Our two-part Intro to Crack Climbing series is your ticket to a smooth transition into the world of crack climbing. Taught by Dave, these sessions will equip you with the foundational skills you’ll need to start climbing the cracks here at The Stronghold and–better yet–outdoors!

$45 (members only)

ANCHORS I & II

Ready to start climbing outdoors? Get hands-on practice with an experienced instructor first! In this two-hour class, your instructor will teach you the fundamentals and best practices of building anchors. Led by Bill.

Prerequisites: You must be top rope-certified at The Stronghold.

$50 (members only)

CLEANING & RAPPELLING

This class will give you all the tools you need to safely and efficiently remove your gear from an anchor and, subsequently, rappel. It will cover cleaning, basic rappelling, third-hand backups, firefighter backups, rope tossing techniques, closing the system, and more. Led by Bill.

Prerequisites: You must be top lead-certified at The Stronghold.

$50 (members only)

SELF-RESCUE (6-WEEK SERIES)

A lot can go wrong in the mountains–maybe you drop your belay device, your partner gets injured, or your rope is damaged during rock fall. What do you do? This 6-week self-rescue series teaches the skills climbers need to get themselves out of emergency situations as safely as possible.

Prerequisites: top rope and lead certifications; experience with building anchors. Multipitch experience strongly recommended.

$175 (members only)

FAST TRACK (12-WEEK SERIES)

Ready to brave the outdoors? This Fast Track 12-week clinic series will teach you the fundamentals of outdoor sport climbing, multi-pitch, trad, and self-rescue. Led by Bill.

Pre-requisite: You must be both top rope and lead-certified at The Stronghold

$325 (members only)

GRADE PROGRESSION

Done with the Basics? Take one of these: Blue Tag Skills, Yellow Tag Skills, Climb Short Clinic, Weightlifting for Climbers, Intro to Hangboarding, Training & Conditioning Series, Yoga/Fitness Classes

YELLOW TAG CLINIC

Learn intermediate climbing techniques with this 3-part series, taught by Coach Ren. Each session will cover two skill development areas with practice both on the ground and on the wall.

Recommended for climbers who can send most V2s on the first try and are currently projecting yellow tags.

$75 (members only)

CLIMB SHORT CLINIC

The skills and strategies in This clinic are designed with the challenges short climbers face in mind, but useful for anyone who may want to think outside the box, expand their climbing tool kit, or empathize with their short climbing partner. Climbers of all heights welcome! Led by Ren.

$35 (members only)

MISC. CLASSES / WORKSHOPS

THAI MASSAGE CLASS

Thai yoga massage can be considered a mindful combination of yoga and massage. It is practiced on fully clothed people on padded mats, using the body weight of the giver rather than muscular strength. The workshop will include guided and demonstrated sequences, as well as safety, communication, and how to help your receiver feel at ease. All are welcome; no experience needed. Offered 1st Friday of every month!

First-come, first-served. This is a partner practice; bring a friend.

Free for members / Day pass for non-members.

SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP

Learn how to defend against the most common types of assault in this 1-hour workshop. All ages welcome!

Jasmine, founder of @fighttribela, has more than 9 years of experience in Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Attendees will leave the workshop feeling safer, stronger, and empowered. Offered 1st Sunday of every month!

Free for members (members only)