Please join me in congratulating Ivan Greene and Christine Natal for their first place climbs at the Bouldering Cup. With over 30 climbers competing, these two stole the show and took home the grand prizes.

Men's 1st Place - Ivan Greene

Men's 2nd Place - Jeffrey Tan

Men's 3rd Place - Jenya Kchrichtchatyi

Women's 1st Place - Christine Natal

Women's 2nd Place - Elizabeth Glines

Photos from the competition are posted on the Rock Wall's Facebook page. Stay tuned for more information on the Climbers Cup, to be held in March.

Please join us in congratulating Sports Center member Brian Kim on his 2nd place performance at the Unified Bouldering Championships Pro Tour in Lincoln, NH!  The finals took place at the Nor’easter presented by Eastern Mountain Sports.

ClimbingNarc.com says, “Brian Kim…might just be the strongest climber you’ve never really heard much about.” Congrats Brian!

If you want to learn to boulder like Brian, don’t miss the Sports Center’s brand new bouldering cave! Open to members and non-members. Call the Rock Wall at 212.336.6083 for more information.

If you’ve been over-indulging lately and snuggling on the couch with a book instead of hitting the gym, here are a few great date ideas to get your heart pumping this winter. Single or in a relationship, your date will appreciate the activity.

• With the Winter Olympics practically upon us, it’s the perfect time to take up ice skating. Bring your gloves, lace up your skates and hit the ice for a date at Sky Rink. Ice skating is a fun, affordable date where you’ll certainly bond over trying not to fall. And, other than your shoes, you don’t have to change your clothes!
• Can’t decide whether you want quality time with that special someone or to hit the gym? Combine the two…. Thai Fly Yoga is a 4-week specialty yoga program that combines partner yoga, Thai massage and Vinyasa yoga. Gentle touching, stretching and relaxation are perfect elements for a great date. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings in February. Click here to register.
• Scale the wall on a rock climbing date. Abby Nelson, Co-Director of the Rock Wall says, “Teamwork and trust push couples to new limits rarely experienced over a dinner date. If you already know how to climb, it’s very impressive and usually very sexy!”
• Adult gymnastics is a great first date for the athletically inclined. You stretch out and then test your skills at everything from somersaults to front flips. You’ll have an hour and a half of laughs mixed with a fun workout. The class will provide for lots of things to talk about over drinks afterwards. If you can tumble with your date and laugh about it later, you know the relationship is headed in the right direction. Leotards are optional and not recommended on a first date!
• Golf seems to be the hot topic of discussion these days. Dazzle your date with your knowledge of “current events” and head down to the driving range, where you’ll learn a lot about your date very quickly. If you’re trying to impress your date, be sure to keep your etiquette and body language in check. If the heated range isn’t keeping you warm enough, head inside to the Full Swing Simulators and play a round of Pebble Beach, order wings and beer from the Chelsea Brewing Company and enjoy a warm date indoors.
• You may not work up a sweat, but you’ll certainly work up a conversation while bowling at 300 New York. You will feel at ease with one another in such a casual environment, but should a friendly competition develop, bring on the trash talk! 300 New York offers Happy Bowl Hours Monday through Friday from 5pm to 7pm. Enjoy $3 domestic drafts and $3 well drinks.

If you’re interested in climbing, but don’t want to deal with the responsibility of equipment or ropes, then iCLIMB is the class for you. Whether you’re new to rock climbing or can’t remember how to belay, do not worry. After iCLIMB, you’ll be able to navigate the wall like a pro.

Open to members and non-members, your small 3-4 person group will climb for an hour with one of our expert instructors. After your climbs, you will receive a complimentary Day Pass to the Sports Center where you can relax in the whirlpool, reduce stress with a yoga class, enjoy a sushi lunch and more.

Classes are held Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm – 1:00pm. Call 212.336.6083 to register today.

Still not up to the challenge of scaling a 10,000-square-foot wall? Click here to read 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Rock Climbing by Rock Wall Co-Director, Abby Nelson.

Attention rock climbers: The 8th Annual Climbers' Cup is a true test of climbing skill! Mark your calendars for this April 4th event. Register and learn more here.