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james_va
May 24, 2010, 11:18 PM
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Hi, Folks -- I've climbed outdoors for a while (17 years) and recently joined a gym. I am going to take some technique classes and am wondering about ballpark tipping etiquette. Is it generally done as a % of class cost, $-per hour spent, or something else? And any starting points? Obviously, I can just do what feels right, but I'm wondering if there's an established protocol in the gym world. Please advise.
Thanks :)
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gosharks
May 25, 2010, 12:05 AM
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Beer would prob be enough.
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matterunomama
May 25, 2010, 12:23 AM
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gosharks wrote: Beer would prob be enough.
It would be enough if you brought a case.
At my home gym they usually get $15-20 tip for an hour long class with individual attention. They are functioning as a coach/sports pro-give them the respect they deserve.
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kletter1mann
May 25, 2010, 1:00 AM
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matterunomama wrote: gosharks wrote: Beer would prob be enough. It would be enough if you brought a case. At my home gym they usually get $15-20 tip for an hour long class with individual attention. They are functioning as a coach/sports pro-give them the respect they deserve.
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acorneau
May 25, 2010, 1:14 AM
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rockforlife
May 25, 2010, 1:38 AM
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james_va wrote: Hi, Folks -- I've climbed outdoors for a while (17 years) and recently joined a gym. I am going to take some technique classes and am wondering about ballpark tipping etiquette. Is it generally done as a % of class cost, $-per hour spent, or something else? And any starting points? Obviously, I can just do what feels right, but I'm wondering if there's an established protocol in the gym world. Please advise. Thanks :)
...really?
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james_va
May 26, 2010, 1:49 AM
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Guys, thanks -- I'll be sure to slide them something.
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desertwanderer81
May 26, 2010, 6:11 PM
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I vote that beer would probably be a nice surprise.
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deltav
May 28, 2010, 1:36 AM
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I rarely get tipped, nor do most of my staff. When we do it is only $5 or so. Now guiding is another story all together.
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clews
May 28, 2010, 3:50 PM
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james_va wrote: Hi, Folks -- I've climbed outdoors for a while (17 years) and recently joined a gym. I am going to take some technique classes and am wondering about ballpark tipping etiquette. Is it generally done as a % of class cost, $-per hour spent, or something else? And any starting points? Obviously, I can just do what feels right, but I'm wondering if there's an established protocol in the gym world. Please advise. Thanks :)
you realize that you're probably going to be taught technique from some kid who has been climbing for 2 years and maybe gets outdoors a couple days a year?
at 17 years of climbing I doubt you will get anything out of it.
Do people actually tip climbing instructors?? I've been instructing for a couple years and have never even heard of people tipping...
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acorneau
May 28, 2010, 3:55 PM
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clews wrote: Do people actually tip climbing instructors?? I've been instructing for a couple years and have never even heard of people tipping...
I've gotten a few tips from classes and private lessons, but it's not common.
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taydude
May 28, 2010, 4:25 PM
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The real money is made kissing ass to birthday party moms. Smile a lot, flex a little during the belay lesson and after I get them setup in the party room I let them know to come get me if they need anything  . $20 tips all summer long.
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clews
May 28, 2010, 4:58 PM
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Ahhh that's the trick...
See I don't do birthdays... Can't handle the kids.
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acorneau
May 28, 2010, 4:59 PM
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Luckily for me I don't have to deal with the annoying little vermin children's parties. I don't work at the gym because I really need the money so a $20 tip isn't worth the hassle.
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matterunomama
May 30, 2010, 10:16 PM
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clews wrote: james_va wrote: Hi, Folks -- I've climbed outdoors for a while (17 years) and recently joined a gym. I am going to take some technique classes and am wondering about ballpark tipping etiquette. Is it generally done as a % of class cost, $-per hour spent, or something else? And any starting points? Obviously, I can just do what feels right, but I'm wondering if there's an established protocol in the gym world. Please advise. Thanks :) you realize that you're probably going to be taught technique from some kid who has been climbing for 2 years and maybe gets outdoors a couple days a year? at 17 years of climbing I doubt you will get anything out of it..
Not necessarily. I assumed that somebody climbing that long in any context is competent, looking to tweak his skill Number of years climbing does not equal climbing grade or skill. Even professional athletes have coaches or take suggestions from their peers. Some gyms have world-class/famous/previously famous, or just plain talented climbers on their staff. You can request one of them, or discuss what you are looking for from the class to get the best for you.
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james_va
Jun 1, 2010, 4:07 PM
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Guys, FWIW, on the issue of taking a technique lesson in the first place, I figured I'd give it a try. I've climbed for a while, but never a whole lot in any one year (save for early on), and mostly climb modest trad routes. So maybe I have more experience trad leading than a gym-only climber, but given the 5.12s and 5.13s in gyms these days, I figure these guys have something to teach me.
That's all -- just figured I could always stand to improve. And thanks for all the input!
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j_ung
Jun 1, 2010, 6:54 PM
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james_va wrote: Guys, FWIW, on the issue of taking a technique lesson in the first place, I figured I'd give it a try. I've climbed for a while, but never a whole lot in any one year (save for early on), and mostly climb modest trad routes. So maybe I have more experience trad leading than a gym-only climber, but given the 5.12s and 5.13s in gyms these days, I figure these guys have something to teach me. That's all -- just figured I could always stand to improve. And thanks for all the input!
Good on ya, James. There's always something to be learned. For what it's worth, the only tips I ever saw in my gym instructing/managing time were from private sessions. I never expected anything from students in classes.
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kletter1mann
Jun 2, 2010, 12:51 AM
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clews wrote: Ahhh that's the trick... See I don't do birthdays... Can't handle the kids.
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petsfed
Jun 2, 2010, 1:57 AM
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clews wrote: james_va wrote: Hi, Folks -- I've climbed outdoors for a while (17 years) and recently joined a gym. I am going to take some technique classes and am wondering about ballpark tipping etiquette. Is it generally done as a % of class cost, $-per hour spent, or something else? And any starting points? Obviously, I can just do what feels right, but I'm wondering if there's an established protocol in the gym world. Please advise. Thanks :) you realize that you're probably going to be taught technique from some kid who has been climbing for 2 years and maybe gets outdoors a couple days a year?
At the gym I work at, our technique classes are taught by 5.13 climbers, one of which has several first free ascents in Zion to his credit.
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