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First Ascent Block 37
4.9 ★★★★★ 478 Google reviews · Climbing gym in Chicago, Illinois
Spacious gym offering bouldering and free-weight training, plus yoga classes and a view of downtown.
Plan your visit
- Gear rental nearly every climbing gym rents shoes (~$5–8 typical) and chalk; harness rental is often bundled with a ropes pass
- Waiver always required at climbing gyms — sign it online before you go to skip the front-desk line
- First timer? bouldering needs zero experience — rent shoes and walk in; staff will point you at the easiest problems
- Kids programs classes, camps, or youth teams mentioned — check the current schedule
- Yoga & fitness mentioned alongside the climbing — ask about the class schedule and what a pass includes
- Memberships available — worth asking about if you'd climb more than a few times a month
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (312) 285-2337
- Website faclimbing.com
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–8 PM |
What's inside
“There are so many walls for bouldering with varying levels of difficulty.”
“My favorite part is that they have a full gym for weight training and an amazing line-up of yoga/vinyasa classes, it's like a one-stop for me to get multiple things done.”
“Only one big con is the kilter board is not set up properly and can be unpleasant to climb.”
What climbers say again and again
“Its also very well maintained and the staff is super helpful!”
“My favorite part is that they have a full gym for weight training and an amazing line-up of yoga/vinyasa classes, it's like a one-stop for me to get multiple things done.”
“The route setters have done a phenomenal job, there’s route for all levels.”
“Brought a group of 10+ noobs here to try climbing for the first time while we were all in town.”
“Feels like home when the Wifi connects right away ;) This is still a great gym, from setting over facilities to the friendly staff.”
From the reviews
We had a great experience in the first ascent bouldering gym. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. The boulder problems are diverse and challenging. The facility in general is in great shape. Overall we had a very pleasant stay with no downsides!
Excellent bouldering gym right in the middle of downtown. The gym is inside Block 37 on level 4. The route setters have done a phenomenal job, there’s route for all levels. And there are quite a few dynos as well. They also have a nice warm up area with rings and trx bands.
Awesome gym on the 4th floor of the complex. Really spacious and had some very creative setting. I didnt see any rope, bouldering only. They also have a full gym as well. Lots of cubbies, clean facilities. The overhangs are pretty cool, one of which is really low and small.
Got a 10 passes punch card for 250 dollars. I like it, it is big: has a lot of boulders, a good gym space with machines, and a yoga room to stretch. The boulders are quite fun, and they don’t use color gradings, just directly refer to the routes per their grading system (i like that)
Birthday parties at First Ascent Block 37
First Ascent Block 37 hosts birthday parties — confirmed on their own site. Climbing parties come with staff who handle the harnesses and belaying, so parents can mostly watch. One thing that's different here: every guest needs a signed waiver — send the gym's waiver link to the other parents when you send invites, or check-in day gets slow. Packages, party rooms, and pricing change often, so check the current options and book ahead — weekend slots go fast at popular gyms.
Kids classes & camps at First Ascent Block 37
Reviews and the gym's own info mention kids programs at First Ascent Block 37 — climbing classes, school-break camps, or a youth team where kids learn technique from coaches instead of just scrambling around. Program schedules and age groups change each season, so check the current lineup before you plan around one.
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