Finding friends and fitness at Philly’s rock gyms. Here’s how to learn the ropes.

After years of pounding the treadmill and lifting weights, Alexi Windler found himself losing interest in his workouts.

“It was not really mentally stimulating me and engaging me in the way that I liked, so I looked around for something else to try out,” he said. Then he discovered Tufas Boulder Lounge near Fifth Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. “I had no idea at the time that when I stepped through those doors it would essentially transform my life in pretty much every way imaginable.”

It was just before the onset of COVID-19, and Windler didn’t know then that rock climbing’s tight-knit community would not only help him endure the lockdown but also reignite his passion for life.

“One of the biggest things climbing has taught me is that it’s OK to fail. Not only is it OK to fail, it’s something more people should learn to embrace,” he said. “If you can face failure with an open mind and a willingness to learn, you can truly surprise yourself.”

For Windler, the mental and physical challenges of rock climbing, from muscling up a wall to piecing together climbing routes like a puzzle, make it an ideal teacher. First, he was drawn by the community and personal growth; now, it’s a career. Windler works as a climbing instructor at Tufas.

Many climbers in Philadelphia, like Windler, began their journey with a single step — walking through the doors of a rock gym for the first time.

Before Jeremy Prevatt was scaling 2,000-foot rock faces in Las Vegas’ Red Rock Canyon or the desert spires of Moab, he joined a rock gym purely by chance.

Prevatt now serves as the lead guide and manager of Philadelphia Rock Gyms’ East Falls facility, one of the city’s oldest and most expansive climbing gyms. He introduces newcomers to rock climbing and its vibrant community.

Whether you’re seeking a one-time birthday or team-building activity, an alternative to traditional workouts, or a new community and way of life, the first step is simply walking through the doors of one of Philly’s rock climbing gyms.

“It’s all of us vs. the wall, I think there’s a real sense of camaraderie in that.”

Philadelphia has three major rock climbing gyms, each offering day passes, monthly memberships, and classes. Some even provide traditional exercise equipment for cardio and weight lifting or yoga classes.

Philadelphia Rock Gyms (PRG) has been a staple in the region for 30 years, with five locations offering bouldering, top-rope, and lead climbing. For outdoor enthusiasts, PRG organizes single-day outings and multiday excursions to spots like Ralph Stover State Park.

Pricing:

PRG offers weekly discounted sessions for students (with valid ID) and half-off or free climbs during Friends Climb or Wxmen’s Climb. Check with each location for these discounts.

Locations:

Since 2018, Tufas Boulder Lounge has offered a welcoming, accessible space for Philly’s rock climbing community. As a bouldering gym, it features rope-free, harness-free climbing, making it easy to get started. Beyond climbing, Tufas hosts Ping-Pong tournaments, Eagles watch parties, and trivia nights in its lounge. With a sliding payment scale, Tufas lowers the barriers to entry, making it a go-to spot for both climbing and community.

Pricing:

📍1614 N. Fifth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19122, 📞 215-360-3999, 🌐 tufasboulderlounge.com

Movement Gyms, the largest rock gym in Philly, spans over 37,000 square feet at its Callowhill location, formerly known as the Cliffs. It offers bouldering, top-rope, and lead climbing, along with yoga and a top-notch fitness center. A new Kensington location is set to open in 2025.

Pricing:

📍1010 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123, 📞 215-444-7625, 🌐 movementgyms.com/callowhill

While there’s plenty of rock climbing advice online, it’s better to just go directly to the source: climbers at the local rock gym.

They can provide recommendations on what shoes to buy, what exercises to focus on, tips on gripping footholds, and more.

But, to get started, experienced climbers advise not to buy anything, just rent, until it’s cost-effective.

As you climb more frequently, renting shoes can become costly. That’s when it’s time to invest in your own pair, Windler and Prevatt said.

Expect to spend at least $100 on a quality pair of climbing shoes. Visit a local gym or REI to try on different brands.

“I recommend beginners aim for a neutral profile shoe, meaning it has a flat, single sole, or a moderately downturned shoe with a split sole. Make sure the heel fits snugly, with no wiggle room, but that your toes aren’t crunched either,” Windler said.

Good beginner brands include La Sportiva, Evolv, Scarpa, Five Ten, and Mad Rock.

“The $100 pair of shoes is like a reliable 2021 Toyota Corolla, and will definitely elevate your experience compared to rental shoes, which are like your uncle’s 1987 Chevy that ‘starts most of the time,’” Prevatt added.

When it’s time to buy your own chalk bag, expect to spend around $25, not including chalk. Recommended brands include Friction Labs and ONCRUX.

Outdoor rock climbing isn’t the easiest for beginners as it’s less predictable and tougher than indoor climbing walls; however, it’s a fun way to get in nature. It’s best to go on trips with local gyms or seek out tour companies near outdoor climbing destinations.

Directly off the Schuylkill Bike Trail, a bouldering wall is available between the Girard Avenue Bridge and the Pennsylvania Railroad Connecting Railway Bridge on Kelly Drive. See more info at the MountainProject.com.

📍Kelly Drive, Philadelphia, Pa. 19121

With more than 30 bouldering routes across the park and the closest outdoor rock climbing in Philadelphia, it’s perfect for beginners. See more info at the MountainProject.com.

📍Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128

Climb the inside of an abandoned quarry in Birdsboro with more than 170 different climbs throughout. See more info at MountainProject.com.

📍(Old 82 and parking area) 2000 Hay Creek Rd., Birdsboro, Pa. 19508

400 feet worth of dozens of climbing routes at Ralph Stover’s High Rocks, with places to camp, hike, and enjoy nature. See more info at the MountainProject.com.

📍150 Tory Rd., Pipersville, Pa. 18947

A little more than 50 miles outside Philadelphia, Haycock Mountain offers more than 250 bouldering opportunities deep in the woods of Nockamixon. See more info at the MountainProject.com.

📍165 Top Rock Trail, Quakertown, Pa. 18951

Two distinctive climbing areas, Safe Harbor North and South, welcome all to Lancaster County for more than 400 climbs. See more info at the MountainProject.com.

📍5365 River Rd., Conestoga, Pa. 17516