If you’re looking for a new social network coupled with a full-body workout, Philadelphia Rock Gyms (PRG) in Wyncote is worth a visit.
Beth Bradley, an Oreland resident and former Associate Director of Student Affairs at Penn State Abington, has been climbing at the Wyncote location since 2019. Impressed with the amenities and the lifestyle, she transitioned from academic administrator to Outreach and Community Partnerships for PRG about a year and a half ago.
As a member of the marketing team, she works with PRG’s sister gyms in North Carolina and New York as well as all six of their Philadelphia locations. She said she got to the know the staff through her previous role.
“I used to take groups from Penn State Abington over there for team builds. The student-athletes really took to it,” she said, noting that PRG has laid the groundwork for indoor rock climbing since its debut 30 years ago.
“We have the community and the feel that people keep coming back to,” Bradley said. “All of our gyms have a different feel to them and we’re growing very quickly. Part of my job is working on ways to have people come and feel like they’re supported, mentally and physically. It’s physics on the wall.”
First-timers drop by often, Bradley said, all of whom receive a safety orientation and a gear overview.
“We have day passes, so if someone wants to come in and check it out, they can. Our staff will show you how to put on a harness, for example. You have to learn how to fall properly so that you’re protecting your wrists, ankles, and neck,” she said.
The gym offers beginner climbs all the way up to expert-level climbs. Classes are offered for youth and adults of all abilities, and instructors provide private and group lessons. The gym hosts competitions with awards and rankings, indoor and outdoor excursions, birthday parties, as well as summer camps.
Members can climb at any of PRG’s gyms.
“Our staff are instructors and ‘show you the ropes’, so to speak,” Bradley said. “You can discover different types of holds, how to traverse the walls. The top-roping has routes that you can work on and they’re all graded differently. If you’re bouldering, they’re called ‘problems’ that you solve.”
The social side of climbing is part of the allure, Bradley said. The gym hosts meet-ups tailored to specific groups or identities, particularly women.
“Women are becoming a very popular demographic. More and more are climbing. It’s not as intimidating when you see someone who looks like you,” she said. “It’s a great way to meet new friends.”
Her son joined PRG’s climbing team and “pretty much lives there these days,” she said.
“He was able to meet a lot of people and was never into traditional sports, so when he found climbing, it was amazing. I’ve seen his confidence and problem-solving skills develop,” Bradley said.
Building partnerships is a key feature of PRG’s initiatives. They work with Upending Parkinson’s, a national organization founded by a West Virginian climber, to encourage those struggling with Parkinson’s disease to give climbing a shot.
“There’s been a lot of research about climbing and Parkinson’s where people get on the wall and they stop shaking. They’re able to strengthen their bodies, so that’s been huge,” she said. “We have something similar for people living with cancer and MS. It’s a place where people can feel like they’re being supported on multiple levels.”
PRG also hosts the annual Banff Film Festival, which is an international event. PRG is one of four places in Pennsylvania to screen the films.
“It’s a Canadian film festival, and it’s the best of mountain adventures and extreme sports. It combines that with conservation efforts and environmental issues,” Bradley said.
For more on Philadelphia Rock Gyms Wyncote, located at 827 Glenside Avenue in Cheltenham Township, you can visit their website and Facebook page.
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Photos: PRG / Andrew Keyes