First Ascent West Loop

Coming soon: a sixth gym in the Chicagoland area for FA members to enjoy

We're open!

Enjoy climbing, yoga, fitness and community at the revilatized First Ascent West Loop gym.

Monday-Friday 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Saturday/Sunday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

 

Explore What We Offer

We have something for everyone, from first time climbers, to urban adventures, to families in search of fun. Click below to explore what we offer and plan your visit.

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What We've Been Up To

Since we got in the West Loop gym February 1st, we’ve been hard at work revitalizing and readying it to serve the community under the FA name. Here’s a full list of everything we’re doing in February:

  • Repairing the bouldering pads, including replacing foam and adding a carpet topper to cut down on chalk transfer
  • Replacing the rope climbing flooring on the main floor
  • Repairing the HVAC so there’s comfy sending temps in the space
  • Replacing the water heater (showers are back!)
  • Swapping out all of the high bay lights in the rope area – here’s to seeing what you’re sending!
  • Fixing the elevator
  • Repairing roof leaks
  • Adding new fitness equipment including some new leg and upper body machines 
  • Replacing furniture to freshen up the coworking and climbing areas
  • Setting up the yoga studio with a sound system, a new set of props and prop storage, and a fresh coat of paint
  • Deep cleaning the gym with a professional cleaning service
  • Outfitting the pro shop area with new fixtures and a full fleet of equipment for purchase
  • Resetting the gym with fresh routes and boulders

When the gym reopens, we hope you notice the same great service and experience you’ve come to expect from First Ascent in this unique, revitalized hub of the Chicago climbing community. 

 

All Access members: First Ascent West Loop will be included in your membership! That gives you access to 6 Chicagoland gyms with one membership. 

Check out First Ascent’s membership options here >>

 

First Ascent West Loop features:

  • 20,000 sf of climbing surface, including bouldering, roped climbing up to 50 feet tall with autobelay, top rope and lead climbing, and a Kilter Board
  • A full schedule of yoga classes and a fully stocked fitness and training area
  • Climbing classes for adults and kids, including a competitive youth Climbing Team and Summer Camps
  • A comfy coworking area with free WiFi
  • A pro shop with all of the gear, swag and snacks you need

 We will reopen for members-only access before the public opening – we’re aiming for February 20th and will keep you posted via email and social media.

 

Questions? Please email us at westloop@faclimbing.com.

We look forward to climbing with you in the West Loop!

ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Chicagoland Climbing Community, 

After learning of the imminent closure of BKB West Loop, we have negotiated with the landlord there to take on their lease and operate the gym as First Ascent West Loop starting in February. 

We know how much the West Loop gym and the community that calls it home means to so many of you, so we know this news comes with some mixed feelings. We believe that First Ascent stepping in is the best way forward for the BKB community and the Chicago climbing community as whole, allowing us to keep an important climbing hub open to serve you and the broader community. We hope to earn your trust as we begin a new chapter for this gym.

BKB West Loop will officially close at the end of the day on Friday January 30th. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working hard to reopen the gym to the public on February 28th. 

We are working on putting a leadership and staff team in place to provide the same great service and experience you expect from First Ascent gyms. We’ve also planned a number of upgrades for the space, as well as deep cleaning and important repairs. When we reopen, we hope the West Loop gym will still feel like home to those who have called it that before, with a few fresh touches and a new set of routes and boulders for all to enjoy.

We plan to reopen for limited-hours members-only access as soon as we can (aiming for February 20th), depending on how long it takes us to complete the necessary work in the space. Keep an eye out for more updates coming soon. If this timeline changes, we will be sure to communicate that with you. 

Once we’re able to reopen the gym as First Ascent West Loop, access to the gym will be included for All Access memberships going forward, giving FA members access to 6 gyms in Chicagoland.

We would love to welcome past and present members of the West Loop gym to join as FA members going forward. For those considering 

  • Join as an All Access Monthly Member. We will waive your enrollment fee (a $49 value), set you up with free access to other FA locations through the end of February,  and start your regular monthly billing on March 1st at $96/mo ($86/mo for Students).
  • Convert your BKB Annual or Pre-Paid Membership to an FA All Access Annual Membership. We will honor the remaining time left on your BKB pre-paid membership with access to First Ascent. 

We’re excited to make these offers in hopes that FA can become your new home for climbing, yoga, fitness and community. We need to hear from you so we know how you’d like to get started.

BKB Members: please complete the form here to start your FA membership >>

You can also message our Support Team via support@faclimbing.com or our Contact Us page with any questions you have.

We believe there is a bright future ahead for the West Loop gym, and we look forward to bringing this gym back to life together.

All our best,

~the First Ascent team