The #FabFam has been trying to prioritize our health and fitness again, and it is easy to be inspired when one of your friends is a physical beast, a real-life American Ninja Warrior. Andrew Swinghamer (we just call him Swinghamer, because, best name ever), who is competing in the American Ninja Warrior Las Vegas Finals (watch it on NBC this coming Monday, August 27, 2018), is a proud Austinite, Texas Longhorns super-fan, and dedicated to his fitness. To be a Ninja Warrior, with the super-human control of your body that is required to complete the courses, you have to be. Therefore, when Crux Climbing Center in Austin invited my family out to try the facility, I couldn’t think of anyone better than Swinghamer to teach us the ways during our first climbing experience.
Crux offers many different fitness options in their 22,000 square foot facility. In addition to the standard rope climbing and bouldering options there is a strength training area, a space for fitness and yoga classes, and a kids’ area (more on that below). If you don’t happen to come with your own Ninja Warrior, they also have climbing classes for all levels.
One of the things that drew me to Crux was how family-oriented it is. There is a kids’ area with an indoor playscape (that of course must be climbed) and mini climbing walls (rope and non-rope options) at different heights. For kids ages 5-11 there’s a weekly climbing club, and climbing teams for kids 11 and up. On top of this, Crux offers a monthly Parents Night Out, a four-hour guided play session where you can leave your kids and go do whatever you want to do!
Need a unique birthday party idea? Crux even offers party packages and group options.
After the kids’ had a fair amount of fun in the kids’ area, we were ready to try our hands (and feet) at some of the bigger walls. Now let me tell you: this is a WORKOUT! While at the time it just felt fun and exciting, we were sore for days after, using muscles we don’t usually work in traditional exercise.
Swinghamer graciously helped us climbing newbies for a while, but I could tell the Ninja Warrior in him was dying to hit the boulders (his favorite part of the climbing center). We took a break to watch him do his thing. It was almost unbelievable to see him leap upwards, while hanging underneath a boulder, to cleanly catch himself. He has so much control over his body and trust in his abilities and hands to catch himself. But I guess he couldn’t be a Finals-qualifying American Ninja Warrior if he wasn’t used to taking (and landing) these physical leaps of faith. What an inspiration!
I encourage you to check out Crux Climbing Center if you’re looking for a unique workout option, or just something different to do in Austin. I know we will be back! And don’t forget to tune into the American Ninja Warrior Finals this coming Monday to cheer on Austin’s own Andrew Swinghamer!
Training like a American Ninja Warrior is great for health, and the right fuel is important, too. Check out Sandra Vickers site in order to get yourself in the best shape by consuming healthy greens juice.
Tanvi Rastogi says
Woah. I have always wanted to try that … looks like so much fun. You looked so bad-ass there 😀
❥ tanvii.com
JuliVAGlobal says
I have always wanted to try something like this, it seems fun and surely can improve my workout routine.
Monidipa Dutta says
Whoa! That's lovely, I have always wanted to do that but now I won't be able to do it ever. But I liked it.
Cia Black says
We have a gym like this in our neighborhood and I can not express how much much fun it is for the whole family. This is something everyone should try and be willing to laugh and have a blast.
Prabashi Hirunika says
Wow, i wish they had something like this in montreal. My boys would have loved it.
Feira - Wildflower + Pearl says
I loved that you were able to experience the climbing center as a family. It looks like you and your family had loads of fun. Cheers.
Feira
W+P
Evelyn Hernandez says
That is awesome, I wish my gym offered rock climbing, its a great work out!
OCDM says
This looks like an awesome, cool and adventurous place for rock climbing. I'm sure your family had a lot of fun.
Clare L says
This looks like an awesome experience. It seems so much fun to rock climb and have new adventures like this i'd love to try it out