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1. TheArete
   Member

   Many of us here are familiar with a gym becoming "our baby" or "OUR gym" as routesetters and coaches, instructors, etc... In fact most of us spend a lot of time helping to create or contribute to rules, routes, training regimens, and the general atmosphere of the gym. For some of us, we've been at a gym so long that when someone thinks of that gym, they think of "that" person. We eventually become part of the persona of a gym.

   So my question is to those of us who've left a gym and moved on to another job, another postion, another area... how does it feel when you go back to that gym. I've recently left the gym I was at for 5 years (though it seems longer) and have been there since it had a total user base of about 30 to where its over hundreds now of both students, faculty, base members, community, alumni. Quite a bit of love, portion of tools and holds, a nice amount of blood... and yes even a few tears were invested in that wall.

   My first reaction was... uhh... that's not how I would of done (fill in blank) and slowly turned into.... awwww that was cool as shit. What's your guys experience.

   Posted 8 months ago #

2. acorneau
   Member

   Uh... what's your question again?

   Posted 8 months ago #

3. TheArete
   Member

   Well this turned out to be more of a reflection than a question... I guess before my tangential thoughts, I was wondering what your experience has been of coming back to a gym you used to work at...whether you've ever come back at all or whether you toil away at the same gym you've always been at?

   Posted 8 months ago #

4. acorneau
   Member

   I'm still working at the same old gym I have been for the last 6-7 years or so. Well, we had to move locations about 5 years ago because of a freeway expansion, but it's basically the same place.

   Management has changed a bit over the years, floor staff changes nearly every 6 months it seems (those damned college kids!) and the gym membership has it's slow but inevitable evolutions.

   I've personally gone from part-time floor staff, to head instructor teaching nearly all the main classes, to just a route setter with the occasional private lesson. We don't have any plans to move away any time soon so I guess I'll be working here for a a while.

   Posted 8 months ago #

5. Brannon
   Member

   I had worked at a gym for several years (it was the gym I learned to set at) and had to leave when I moved out of state for college. After 18 months I came back to stick my head in, say hi, and maybe toss a route on the wall with the blessing of the new head setter. When I walked in I saw no one I recognized...owner was out, no setters working, just a few new people behind the desk and walking around the gym. I was treated like shit. They didn't care who I said I was. I even went so far as to try and prove that I used to be a route setter by describing some features of the setting room that I designed (sorting bins and racks for the holds). In the end, I wrote a note to the owner and slid it under his office door. I have always hoped that those numbnuts got a stern talking to regarding loyalty.

   That was a terrible experience.

   Posted 8 months ago #

6. offroute
   Member

   ive been in that scenario at least 3 different times now. the first time was the gym i learned in, the second time was a gym that I built and the third time was a gm that I set at regularly. Various levels of Brannon's sentiments have been felt on all occasions. At one of the gyms where I was the hot shot and came back only to be upstaged by someone who is now a top ranked climber.

   I think the reality and the sentiment is that we all vest a lot of blood sweat and sometimes tears into what we do, and we hope that we have established some sort of legacy that will exist beyond our physical presence. The harsh reality is that it doesnt. There will be tales, and campfire stories of "those that were," which will only fade into oblivion.

   Unfortunately I think it is an inherent flaw in the climber beast that we all are. Transient by nature, grasping onto that next best climb, send, or hope of what could be. And gyms just create the next shadow generation of ourselves...looking for the next best thing and sometimes forgetting where the inspiration came from.

   ....yes its been a long week and ive had waaaay tooo many beers. I hope ive inspired some.

   Posted 8 months ago #

7. miluo
   Member

   Do you know dragonnest gold? dragon nest gold is a good game. If you are a game fun, I suggest you can dragon nest gold. Do you want to spend a little money to buy this.

   Posted 5 months ago #

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