First Ascent Uptown

Came with my friend who is an avid climber, enjoyed this space it was well laid out and offers more than just bouldering. We enjoyed a yoga class to warm up before climbing. It was very crowded on a Wednesday night but everyone was respectful and friendly

This is a very unique gym. There are tons of windows. The walls are not super tall. There is tons of overhang. The routesetting is very creative and challenging. The grades are accurate. The front desk staff are very nice. The routesetting is very good, however, many of the holds are polished. They use good quality holds, but some are old. There is not much fiberglass in this gym. Many boulder problems are very chossy. There are not adequate brushes around the gym. Overall an amazing spot with tons of natural light and very unique overhang areas including roof climbs, which is very rare to find in bouldering gyms. Gym is 10/10 A+ and would definitely visit again next time in the area!

Excellent climbing gym with friendly staff. With multiple gyms in the Chicago area there will always be new routes to try. The gyms change their routes consistently and give a good variety of difficulty levels. All the gyms have a good variety of exercise equipment and multiple types of exercise and climbing classes to choose from. The gym also offers fun monthly activities! All the staff I have interacted with there have been very helpful and friendly. If you are looking for a gym that offers great climbing routes and has a friendly atmosphere this is the place for you!

First visit here, but very impressed by availability of both beginner and advanced climbs in almost every area of the gym. Light-filled climbing space. I will be back!

FA has been my home gym for climbing and fitness for over 6 years and hopefully many more to come. Fresh setting every single week, plenty of training equipment available, and one of the easiest places to bring friends with free guest passes. Staff are always friendly and the vibe is really positive and inclusive.