Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1061366
In addition to training for outdoor climbing and bouldering, some GadRock members climb for cardio and strength exercise. "We have several people that come in the mornings, and they climb every auto belay and do it as fast as they can," Machen said. "at's their workout that day. en we have people that spend hours in here training, so they can go climb outside." GadRock also emphasizes cross-training. To further this mission, GadRock hired Mike Moore as director of climbing and fitness. He brings more than 10 years of climbing experience to the gym and has climbed throughout the South. "Climbing," Moore said, "is about being just as strong on the ground as you are on the wall." From Memorial Day to Labor Day (and other times when the weather is nice), the gym offers four different paddleboard classes on Neely Henry. ere is one for beginning paddlers, an ecotour that focuses on birding and collecting trash from the water, a fitness tour, and a yoga tour. GadRock began offering paddling tours this summer before the rock climbing wall opened. "Paddling is great cross training for climbing. I think they complement each other well," Machen said. "Also, the water is in an integral part of our community here and our gym is focused on community. What's better than introducing a new sport like climbing to one we are all used to?" GadRock is located at the Lakeview Professional Center at 1403 Rainbow Drive in Gadsden and is open seven days a week. General contractors for the building were Chase Building Group, while CDP Design LLC served as architects. Both are local to Gadsden. Rockwerx Inc. of Massachusetts designed the walls. "We used as many local people as possible," Machen said. e gym offers monthly membership and day passes. For more information, visit Climbgadrock.com or Facebook (GadRock) and Instagram (@GadRock). 23 www.apcshorelines.com