What Movement Climbing Is
Movement Climbing is a climbing gym chain with locations across the United States. It operates indoor climbing walls where members and day-pass visitors can climb on routes of different difficulty levels, use training equipment, and take classes. The gym provides the wall, the holds, the safety gear, and staff supervision — you bring your own fitness level and willingness to learn.
Movement gyms are designed for climbers at every stage: complete beginners who have never touched a climbing wall, intermediate climbers working on specific techniques, and advanced climbers training for outdoor rock climbing or competition. The gym sets routes by difficulty grade so you can start where you belong and progress at your own pace.
Key Takeaways
- Movement Climbing gyms charge either a day-pass rate (usually $20–$25 per visit) or a monthly membership, with membership costs varying by location and membership tier.
- You must wear climbing shoes and a harness, and Movement provides both for rent if you do not own them, though bringing your own is cheaper over time.
- Routes are marked by color and graded by difficulty, so beginners start on easier routes and progress as their strength and technique improve.
- Belay certification (a safety class) is required before you can climb with a rope; top-rope climbing on auto-belay machines does not require certification.
- Most locations offer introductory classes, group fitness sessions, and private coaching if you want structured instruction.
Membership and Day-Pass Pricing
Movement Climbing offers both day passes and monthly memberships. A day pass typically costs between $20 and $25 and gives you access to the gym for one visit. Prices vary by location, so check the Movement website for your nearest gym.
Monthly memberships are cheaper per visit if you plan to climb more than once or twice a month. Membership tiers usually include an unlimited plan (climb as many times as you want each month), a limited plan (a set number of visits per month), and sometimes a founding member or discounted rate for new members. Membership costs vary significantly by city and location — a gym in a major metropolitan area costs more than one in a smaller city.
Most memberships include access to the climbing walls, but rentals (shoes and harness) are usually separate. If you join as a member, buying your own climbing shoes and harness is worth the upfront cost because rentals add up quickly.
What Gear You Need and What Movement Provides
Climbing shoes are tight-fitting shoes with sticky rubber soles that grip the wall. A harness is a belt-like piece of equipment that wraps around your waist and thighs and connects you to the rope for safety. Both are required for rope climbing (called top-rope or lead climbing). Movement rents both for a small fee per visit, usually $3–$5 each.
If you climb regularly, buying your own shoes and harness saves money and is more comfortable. Climbing shoes cost $80–$150 new, and a harness costs $50–$100. You can also find used gear online or at climbing retailers. Movement staff can help you find the right size if you are renting, and they can answer questions about what to buy if you decide to invest in your own.
You do not need to bring anything else. Movement provides the wall, the holds, the ropes, the belay devices (the mechanical tools that control the rope), and the safety equipment. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in — avoid loose or baggy clothing that can catch on holds or equipment.
How Routes Are Graded and Where to Start
Movement marks climbing routes by color and assigns each route a grade that shows how hard it is. The grading system starts at beginner levels (often marked as 5.5 or 5.6 in the Yosemite Decimal System, which is the standard in the United States) and goes up to advanced levels (5.12, 5.13, and higher). Each color represents a different route, so you might have a blue beginner route, a red intermediate route, and a black advanced route all on the same wall.
If you have never climbed before, start on the easiest routes (usually marked in green or blue). These routes teach you basic hand and foot placement and how to move your body on the wall. As you climb the same route multiple times, it becomes easier — that is the point. Once you can climb a route without struggling, move up to the next grade.
Do not jump to harder routes too fast. Climbing is as much about technique as strength, and learning proper form on easier routes prevents injury and builds the right muscles. Movement staff can watch you climb and suggest which routes match your level.
Belay Certification and Rope Climbing Safety
Belay is the technique of controlling the rope to keep a climber safe while they climb. If you want to climb on a rope (called top-rope climbing), someone has to belay you, or you have to belay yourself using an auto-belay machine. Movement requires all climbers who belay another person to take a belay certification class first.
The certification class teaches you how to put on a harness, tie into the rope, operate the belay device, and communicate with the climber. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour and costs between $20 and $40. You only have to take it once — after you pass, you can belay anyone at any Movement location.
If you do not want to take the class yet, you can still climb using an auto-belay machine. This is a mechanical device attached to the wall that automatically controls the rope as you climb up and lowers you down when you are done. No certification is needed. Auto-belay is a good way to try rope climbing before committing to belay class, and many climbers use it as their main climbing method.
Classes and Coaching at Movement
Movement offers group classes for beginners, intermediate climbers, and people training for specific goals like lead climbing or competition. Intro classes teach the basics: how to use the wall, how to warm up, how to read routes, and how to climb safely. These classes are often included with membership or cost a small extra fee.
Fitness classes like yoga or strength training are also available at some locations and are designed to build the muscles and flexibility climbing requires. Private coaching is available if you want one-on-one instruction — a coach watches you climb, identifies what you are doing well and what needs work, and gives you exercises to improve.
Check your local Movement gym's website or call to see what classes are offered, when they meet, and what they cost. Many gyms offer a free intro session or a discounted first class for new members.
What Happens on Your First Visit
When you arrive, check in at the front desk. If you are a day-pass visitor, you will pay and sign a waiver (a form saying you understand the risks of climbing). If you are a new member, you will fill out paperwork and choose your membership tier.
Next, get fitted for shoes and a harness if you are renting. Staff will help you put on the harness correctly — it has to be snug so it does not slip. Then head to the wall. Start on a green or blue route (the easiest ones). Place your hands and feet on the holds and pull yourself up. If you fall, you are safe — the rope or auto-belay catches you.
Climb for as long as you want. Most people climb for 45 minutes to an hour on their first visit. Your forearms and fingers will get tired — that is normal. When you are done, take off the harness and shoes, return the rental gear, and you are finished. Come back when you want to climb again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be in shape to start climbing?
No. Climbing builds strength as you do it. Start on straightforward routes and climb at your own pace. Many people who have never exercised before start climbing and find it fun enough that they keep coming back. Climbing works your whole body, so you will feel stronger after a few weeks.
What if I am afraid of heights?
Many climbers are afraid of heights and still climb indoors. The wall is only 12–15 feet tall at most, and you are always attached to a rope or auto-belay. You can climb as high as you want and stop whenever you feel uncomfortable. Start low, get used to the feeling, and go higher as you feel ready.
Can I bring a friend who has never climbed?
Yes. Your friend can buy a day pass and climb alongside you. If your friend wants to belay you or you want to belay them, one of you will need to take the belay class first. Until then, you can both use auto-belay or climb on separate routes with auto-belay machines.
How often should I climb to see progress?
Climbing two to three times a week is a good pace for building strength and learning technique. You will see progress faster if you climb more often, but climbing once a week is still worthwhile. Rest days matter — your muscles grow when you rest, not just when you climb.
What is the difference between top-rope and lead climbing?
Top-rope climbing means the rope is already anchored at the top of the wall, and you climb up while someone belays you from the ground. Lead climbing means you climb up while clipping the rope into anchors as you go — it is harder and requires more training. Movement teaches both, but most beginners start with top-rope.