Lifestyle

Gallery: DYNO opens Thursday near Eastern Market with Detroit's largest climbing walls

March 30, 2021, 7:45 AM by  Alan Stamm


Simulated boulders and rope walls with hand and foot grips are at the new gym. See five more scenes below(Photos by Owen Kaufman)

"Ready or not, here we climb," Dino Ruggeri posts a few days before this week's soft opening of DYNO Detroit, a climbing gym designed and equipped by experts from Bulgaria.

"While it wasn't always pretty, we are finally there," the Grosse Pointe Park entrepreneur adds Monday on Facebook. "After successfully passing inspections last week, we have finally received the green light to open."  

A gradual debut in a warehouse-like open space at Orleans Street and Mack Avenue starts Thursday at 2 p.m. for members and punch pass buyers. "The next 10 days or so will consist of a 'soft-open' format with limited hours and capacity so we can get our feet underneath us," explains Ruggeri, whose website still shows an earlier hope: "Coming Early 2021."

The fitness business alongside the Dequindre Cut near Eastern Market still is "working out some bugs in our reservation and Learn the Rope sign-ups," the owner advises, referring to free 90-minutre classes for members and card holders. Trainers show "how to tie the figure-eight follow-through knot, utilize proper belay technique with a GriGri, as well as the other basic skills necessary to climb on the ropes here." 


Over 70 rope routes go as high as 45 feet.

In addition to angled walls for rope climbs with hand and foot holds, the 17,000-square foot gym has ropeless "boulders" rising 12 to 15 feet above thick pads. There also are cardio machines, weights, a yoga studio, locker rooms, lounge and cafe. 

Dyno pitches itself as the city's first full climbing gym for all levels. (Wayne State University and the downtown YMCA have more limited walls for beginners.) It opens three months before sport climbing makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo with one event for men and one for women.

Monthly rates are $79 or $138 for couples, plus $25 for family members under 18. High schoolers and full-time college students pay $69 a month. Teachers, military members and first responders also get a discount. Yearly fees are $869, $1,518 for couples and $759 for students.

Two-hour climbing blocks can be reserved after signing up. Walk-ins aren't allowed. 

Check it out:

  • Address: 3500 Orleans St. (near Mack Avenue)
  • Hours: 2-10 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ("extended hours in the near future")
  • Website: dynodetroit.com | Reserve a time (when debugged) 
  • Phone: (313) 444-0161

Photos by Owen Kaufman for DYNO:

 



Leave a Comment:

Photo Of The Day