Up North: Duluth Climbing and Fitness Co-op area’s first not-for-profit gym of its kind

Climbing has always been big in the Northland. However with fall quickly approaching you may want to take your talents inside to a new climbing gym, right here in Duluth.

The Duluth Climbing and Fitness Co-op had its grand opening on June 1st, becoming the first not-for-profit climbing gym in Duluth.

“What is special about the co-op, not only is it just grassroots community based, but it also just offers that third place that I think people lack in their daily lives. It fulfills that social desire, but then it also fulfills like problem solving and also just getting it out, like working your body out and moving,” claimed Director of Operations Tony Ledin.

The gym was created by local Northlanders, and is entirely not for profit and volunteer based. All fees that patrons pay go directly back into facility expenses, up keep, and the members.

“We are actually entirely community funded. We have a really unique community up here, just in general. Duluth tends to very much like local. You see that with our craft brews. You see that with just the emphasis people put on every other aspect of what they do, or what they consume. The climbing community is no different,” added Director of Facilities Alex Ristow.

The gym realizes that we all live busy lives and have taken that into consideration. For $400 a year, members will be given a key fob that grants 24/7 access to the facility. Creating a welcoming environment for anyone looking to learn the sport

“It’s just a great way to challenge yourself both mentally, and physically,” added Ledin.

“It is low barrier to entry, all you need is a chalk bag and shoes. We just wanted to give the community a home, and that’s what we have here,” concluded Ristow.