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rock climbing

season: Spring season now in play

Rock Climbing is one of the fastest growing sports in America! We're excited to announce that our indoor Rock Climbing classes are available now at FITNESS FORMULA Old Town. The classes will be taught on a state-of-the-art, indoor rock climbing wall. Learn how to safely and effectively climb indoors so you're ready to climb real rocks when the weather heats up!

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Locations: FITNESS FORMULA OLD TOWN 1235 N. LaSalle (on LaSalle just north of Division)
Fees: $150 for Beginner Training (includes certification), $150 for Intermediate Levels 1 or 2(must meet minimum certification qualifications or have taken CSSC Beginner Class), $150 for Advanced (Sport Climbing). $3.50 processing fee will be added to all registrations Fee Includes
Fee Includes: Six once-a-week climbing lessons. Six additional open climbing visits ($120 value). Fitness Formula Certification ($35 value). Equipment provided.
Formats: BEGINNER CLASS - Introduction to a wide range of Climbing fundamentals - anyone is welcome!

INTERMEDIATE CLASS LEVEL ONE* - Emphasizes the development of more effective climbing techniques. To register you must be FFC-Old Town Belay Certified or have basic knowledge of climbing knots and belaying skills.

INTERMEDIATE CLASS LEVEL TWO* - Emphasizes the development of multiple enhanced climbing skills and abilities. To register you must be FFC-Old Town Belay Certified or have basic knowledge of climbing knots and belaying skills.

* The complete two-level Intermediate program taken in back-to-back sessions offers 12 unique lessons (6 unique "LEVEL 1" lessons and 6 unique "LEVEL 2" lessons).

ADVANCED SPORT CLIMBING CLASS - The most thorough sport-lead climbing package offered! Learn all of the most important indoor and outdoor sport climbing skills from the most experienced lead climbers in town! This class is designed for climbers who have taken both Intermediate Level classes.
Seasons: We offer 7, Six-Week Sessions per year. Click on the schedules and standings button or the registration link above to find out when our next session begins!

rock climbing comments (23)add comment

by Tom Petraitis 05/31/08 11:12 pm

Partners/Grigris/Off-the-wall-Qs

Partnering in the Intermediate Level II* class is usually this easy: just pair up with someone else in the class. Also, there are two Instructors, so one of them can partner up. Grigris are used exclusively only in the Beginner classes. Level I and Level II* climbers are encouraged to use friction devices (ATC's, etc...) If you are not yet certified at Fitness Formula-Old Town typical examples of a questions you'll be asked are: Can you tie a Figure-8 knot?; Can you tie a Half-Grapevine backup knot?: Can you belay without releasing the "brake end"?; I'd like to think these are not too much "off the wall". Note: We are going to ask climbers who are getting certified to learn how to use a grigri--even if they prefer another device, and even if they choose to always use another device (which they may)--because some of the climbers that one might pair up with may be uncomfortable with another device, in which case we advise using only the device that makes the uncomfortable climber comfortable. Think of it as a courtesy, or a "lowest common denominator".

by Christopher Wilocki 05/30/08 5:15 pm

Level 2 questions --

Do I need a partner and Do I have to use a Grigri? What will I have to know as far as being certified? I have been climbing for the past 6 years and just do not want to have some off the wall questions thrown at me? cw

by Christopher Wilocki 05/30/08 5:14 pm

Level 2 questions --

by krstybrght 05/22/08 9:36 pm

Sign up everybody!

I just signed up for the Monday night classes. I'm excited and ready to climb!

by Tom Petraitis 05/13/08 5:41 pm

Make Up Lessons

If you are going to miss your scheduled Beginner class you can sit in on another Beginner class that week (note: the first Beginner lessons of the week is usually the Monday one). Or any week. That allows people to work around scheduling problems.

by Meesh 05/11/08 2:07 pm

Out of town

I just signed up for the beginner class on Saturday mornings. I will be able to make every class except for the one on the 21st of June because I will be out of town. Will I still be able to get the certification if I make up the class? Is that an option?

by Tom Petraitis 05/02/08 3:55 pm

Clothing

Denali, unfortunately the hi-fasion lycra/spandex craze in climbing apparel has long past and climbers wear just about anything they want. You can hardly tell a climber out a crowd these days!

by denali 04/15/08 2:09 pm

clothing

Hi, I am taking the beginner class. What clothing would you recommend for the first class? Do most people wear regular workout clothes or street clothes or...? Cheers!

by Tom Petraitis 04/14/08 2:05 pm

Partnering in Climbing Classes

Waku, The comment from a recent Beginner climber to kristybrite was accurate. You don't need to bring a partner. Other singles will be there to partner with you, or an instructor. Second, you should sign up for the Friday Intermediate Level 1 class. If you can't come to the first Friday lesson you are welcome to join the Wednesday group. Just don't think of it as a way to get into the Wednesday class as a regular member. It's just a fallback option in case unexpected circumstances wreak havoc with personal schedule.

by Tom Petraitis 04/14/08 2:05 pm

Partnering in Climbing Classes

by waku 04/10/08 6:46 pm

What if u can't make the first class?

I'd like to sign up for the intermediate 1 class. If there is an opening for the full Wednesday class, let me know. Otherwise, I'll sign up for Friday. However, I can't make the first Friday class. Is there a way around this? Could I attend the Wednesday class somehow? Also, it seems like it's okay if you sign up without a partner. Is that correct?

by gpscraig 03/31/08 12:56 pm

To krstybrght

I am just finishing the beginner course and did just fine without a partner. There seem to be enough single climbers or odd-numbered groups that you can pair up, and most classes are run by two instructors, so one of them can fill in as your partner if the class has an odd number. In my experience it was a great way to meet people, and seeing as I just signed up for Intermediate, I definitely enjoyed it :) Have fun and good luck in the class!

by krstybrght 03/27/08 10:22 pm

Joining the Beginners Class

I'm interested in signing up for the beginning class. Do I have to have a partner? If so, anyone in need of a partner let me know.

by Tom Petraitis 03/23/08 10:55 pm

Outside Climbing

chriz2furrr asks if we take the classes outside to climb. No, not within the context of the class. But we teach you enough thorough practical climbing skills to prepare you for outdoor climbing (because that's where our passions are). Unofficially we have met groups of Intermediate climbers to Devil's Lake to give them their first experiences outdoors and to socialize at the campsite. I offer a guided weekend trip to Devil's Lake to introduce climbers to the top rope anchoring skills they would need to climb outdoors. Once climbers have gone thru a couple classes they are usually prepared to take on the outdoors, but knowing what equipment to use and how to safely anchor your ropes take real know-how. Our Advanced class teaches complete lead climbing skills that would apply to outdoor sport climbing. But to take that you must take both intermediate classes.

by Tom Petraitis 03/23/08 10:28 pm

Contact Me for Info

Brian, in your situation and with so many questions you should just contact me. -Tom tpetraitis@ffc.com

by chriz2furrr 03/22/08 12:04 am

looks like fun

i want to try this out do you only climb at the gyms or do you actually go to bigger real rocks? chris@chriscurran.com

by B.M. 03/10/08 1:06 pm

I really need a class ASAP

Im looking for a rock climbing class I use to be an assistant rock climbing instructor at a summer camp, and then was part of a climbing crew for a specialty camp in colorado. Now i was ask to be head of the crew but, it has been 1.5 years since i have done any climbing, and im looking for a class to refresh my mind to remember the knots and ways to set up a climb for a class. its basic pulley. and i need to be re-certified. I need to know if any of these classes offer what im looking for and i need as soon as possible. thank you very much Brian Meza

by Jillian 02/14/08 11:32 pm

Making up classes

I really want to join this class, but will miss the last two classes due to a trip to Thailand. Is there any possibility to make these up or should I just wait for another session to start-up? Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

by Mark 01/17/08 4:18 pm

Climbing Partner

I usually climb on the weekend in Warrenville and am interested in partnering up with someone who wants to climb. My climbing partner is recovering from non-climbing-related injury.

by Tom Petraitis 12/06/07 12:59 pm

Climbing Class Info

I teach these classses. I can answer the questions asked above. 1. Bouldering classes are difficult to teach in large groups with climber of differing skill levels. So we have stopped offering the class thru Sport and Social, and only do these classes on our own at FFC-Old Town. 2. You can easily find climbing partners either formally in a class setting or informally by just climbing at FFC-Old Town. Hope to see you! - Tom

by mandy 11/30/07 7:33 am

bouldering

what kind of instruction do you get in the bouldering class?

by Golan Mor 10/18/07 11:12 am

Do I need to find a partner to belay for me?

I'd like to join this club, but do not have someone to belay for me. Do most people sign up in pairs for this?

by Tiffany 08/28/07 8:12 pm

climbing partner

Does anyone need a climbing partner? I'm not currently a member of any clubs, but would like to start climbing in Chicago.

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