Five-Star Footholds

Some buildings fade when their purpose ends; such has been the fate of many malls and movie theaters across America. Others find new ways to tell their stories. Alchemy Climbing, Tallahassee’s only rock-climbing gym, is fortunate enough to carry its history into its new life.

Since 2021, the former eight-screen theater turned climbing gym has given locals the chance to experience the thrill of scaling new heights. For some, Alchemy Climbing is a place to celebrate birthdays and group outings. For others, such as my crew and me, it’s a prime hub for training and fitness. For my first time, I visit the gym with my cousin Nick and his partner Destiny, curious to take in the space with fresh eyes.

The theater’s original, red-trimmed marquee still hangs over an open pavilion, now advertising the climbing and yoga classes instead of blockbuster hits. The lobby’s original checkered floor and neon accents retain the space’s nostalgic charm. The old snack bar has become their check-in and merchandise counter, dealing in chalk bags, T-shirts, carabiners, and other climbing accessories.

Photos courtesy of Alchemy Climbing

Once we have our gear and a safety brief, we venture deeper into the building. The lobby opens into a long hallway still plastered with posters for climbing films like Touching the Void, The Climb, and Free Solo. I’m delighted to spot a few painted stick figures belaying around corners and climbing the walls.

The workout area, focused on bodyweight exercises and calisthenics, is shadowed by a massive projector screen. Nick and Destiny, gym regulars, note that Alchemy still uses the screen to stream movies during special events. 

Next on our agenda is the inward-sloping bouldering wall, formally known as a Kilter Board. Nick describes it as “a large database for climbing routes,” where thousands of users can upload personal climbs, since each Kilter Board uses the same hold configuration to map from. Once a path is selected, it simply lights up on the wall. Nick commends the board’s versatility as “an especially nice feature for a city that doesn’t have a lot of natural climbing spots.”

The bouldering zone is the most popular spot in Alchemy. This former theater space is focused on free climbing—no ropes or harness required. The thick, padded covering reassures those dangling from the many ledges; the high, speckled walls are jammed with routes distinguished by colors and corresponding difficulties. I managed to scale a few routes successfully, but even in failure, the challenge strengthened my desire for another attempt—perhaps because I’ve yet to truly fall.

Photos courtesy of Alchemy Climbing

An hour into bouldering, we begin to reach prime time, and the room fills with climbers that put my efforts to shame. We move on to one of the belay rooms (“belay” referring to the climbing technique used when a safety rope and harness are involved). Thanks to the added security, the walls are much higher here. Destiny reminds me: “To climb, you have to learn to fall because it’s inevitable.” 

The ropes aid my confidence in going up but hardly in going down. What does ease my nerves, though, is finding memes taped near the top of the climb. One of them, featuring Spider-Man, reminds climbers to double-check safety equipment before the descent. With his wise words, a decent amount of self-encouragement, and a quick safety check, I surrendered my weight to the rope.

I think much of the importance of staying active—and how so many fitness goals often feel distant or abstract—is in the elusive art of staying motivated. While Alchemy’s theatrical charm draws you in, what’s found inside makes movement fun and purposeful again. Every climb becomes a puzzle of endurance, balance, and strength. Each failed climb hints at what’s needed to solve it the next time, whether it be grip strength, endurance, or core muscles. This rare opportunity to experience full-body awareness makes every attempt meaningful, even if you don’t make it to the top.