Climb: Power-up Gym

Date Budget: PhP 300
Actual Spend: PhP 330
Quality: 2/5
Service: 3/5
Accessibility: 4/5
Fun Factor: 3/5
Overall Experience: 3/5

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Highlights 

• Buy one take one unlimited climb voucher.
• Basic climbing and belaying lessons by a climbing instructor
• Full body workout!

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The Experience  
It was a hot Saturday afternoon when Kirsten and I went to Power-up Gym for something beyond our usual dates: wall climbing!

We got this voucher worth PhP 150 entitling both of us to an unlimited climbing sessions. We thought it was a steal, though later we learned there were additional fees as listed below (for the harness, shoes, and belayer cards). For the first time, we went over our budget of PhP 300. Lesson learned: make sure to consider "hidden" charges before buying discount vouchers.

 

Spending a little over budget it ok though as the belayer card doesn't expire and is valid in all Power-up locations. Also, as beginners, we were given basic climbing and belaying lessons by a qualified instructor. Having this, the total package isn't really that bad.

The experience reinforced our trust toward each other as we took turns in being each others' belayer (i.e. the one holding the safety rope). I felt nervous at first, thinking Kirsten's life is literally in my hands! The uneasy feeling goes away after a few rounds though and is replaced by pure fun (and sweat).

We would recommend the Power-up Pakyaw promo for beginners who need basic climbing and belaying lessons.  Otherwise, Power-up Tandang Sora may not be the best place for wall climbing as it is a bit old: some rocks were loose, the roof had no insulation, there were beams near the walls, and the place looked pretty much like a "kanto gym". 

For those who already know how to belay, we found a better (and cheaper) option at Camp Sandugo (5F Market Maket, Fort Bonifacio Taguig near the Cinemas) where an unlimited climb session costs PhP 140 each (inclusive of harness rental).

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Spend Breakdown

Unlimited Climb for 2 (Pakyaw)	150
Harness rental (for 2)	60
Shoes rental (for 2)	80
Belayer card (for 2)	40
Actual Spend	330

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How to get there

1. From MRT Cubao Station (Farmers' Plaza), ride a bus going to Fairview.
2. Get off at Commonwealth Ave. corner Tandang Sora.
3. Walk to the right part of Tandang Sora (going to UP). Turn right as you reach the first corner. You will see a sign saying "Power Up Gym".
   
   Landmarks: KFC Tandang Sora, Tandang Sora Flyover, Mercury Drug Tandang Sora
   Address:
   690 Tandang Sora
   Quezon City
   Contact Number/s:
   (632) 932-7273
   Operating Hours: 2pm to 10pm (Mon-Fri), 12nn to 8pm (Sat-Sun)
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