Review Gym Belay Device
The Gym is a light belay device that is perfect for climbing on a regular simple rope. It is intended for indoor climbing. When climbing on artificial walls, we don’t need the advanced functions of a standard tubular belay device and it would just make things more complicated. You don’t have to pull in the slack of another climber to a fixed point, nor abseil down on two ropes, etc. For artificial walls, simple and intuitive solutions are best and GYM is exactly that.
The Gym is the perfect simple brake for building up basic habits when belaying a climber. It’s also very popular with climbing equipment rental shops, because of its intuitive ease of use,making it almost impossible for the user to make a mistake. The simple shape intended for one rope, together with an illustrated instruction manual, makes correct rope placement easy for beginner climbers, while still also providing sufficient braking in cases where the rope is tied incorrectly (in reverse).
The belay device won’t jam up even when using older or thicker ropes and the rope runs through it smoothly if you need to quickly loosen the rope, for example when clipping quickdraws. This makes it perfect for belaying children, where having too strong of a braking effect is more of a disadvantage. But thanks to its grooved profile and narrowing V-shape, it also works very well for belaying a heavier mate and when you need to apply progressive braking. Thanks to its simplicity and intuitive use, Gym is loved by beginners, but also experienced climbers of all categories.
Petr Brož, certified sports climbing instructor, Rock Empire product tester, Height specialist, Product consultant for work at heights