My home climbing gym recently installed an auto-belay device from TruBlue. My first reaction was that it was kind of dubious. I didn't have any qualms about the safety of the device; it's certified and tested etc. Rather, it was the utility of having an auto-belay which I wasn't sure about.
Since that initial exposure, I went to the gym again and had the opportunity to do laps using the device, and my perspective on its value has completely changed. It's great for doing laps! I can totally envision using this thing as part of a workout. It expands the set of workouts I can conveniently do if I just show up by myself at the gym.
Why should I use an auto belay? from Chris Besett on Vimeo.
