Memphis Rox, a rock-climbing gym with no economic barriers, will soon serve the Memphis community from its location on Mclemore Avenue.
Josh Cannon, associate of Memphis Rox, said the rock-climbing gym will open April 3 and will feature a juice bar, yoga and weightlifting in addition to the climbing gym. While many rock climbing facilities break the bank, Memphis Rox does not turn people away who cannot pay the $55 membership fee.
“It’s the fastest growing sport right now, so we’re really excited we can be here and have people coming into the gym who have never climbed before,” Cannon said. “We have a volunteer program where five hours (volunteering) out of the month equates to a membership. If you have the means to traditionally pay, you’ll be able to.”
Cannon said people can volunteer at Memphis Rox or the organization of their choosing to work towards membership. Day passes are also offered, but the exact price is unknown because it has changed, Cannon said.
“If you want, you can volunteer in the gym and help out, and that will work towards membership,” Cannon said. “If there’s an organization that you love and want to volunteer for, great. Do that. It counts towards a membership here.”
The idea of Memphis Rox came when the founder, film director and former University of Memphis film professor Tom Shadyac, bought two properties four years ago with the desire to bring art, education and mentorship to Memphis, but he did not know exactly what that would look like, Cannon said.
“He was back in Los Angeles doing some work and was on the Sony Pictures lot,” Cannon said. “He noticed their sound stages were state-of-the-art, work out facilities, fitness clubs and nice production suites, but unless you were a member, had the income or knew someone, you weren’t getting in.”
Cannon said Shadyac then realized he wanted a place for Memphians to have access to similar facilities but with easier access.
“He looked around and said, ‘What if we kind of operated under a different model, if our gates were always open and anybody could come in,’” Cannon said. “So we fast forward and are kind of working on it a little more, and then phase one grows which is Memphis Rox.”
Cannon said the second building bought by Shadyac will bring production and soundstages where students can work on a set and work under industry professionals.
Zack Rogers, the director of administration at Memphis Rox, said people should experience the climbing gym because rock-climbing is the greatest metaphor for life.
“Rock climbing really shows up, especially in mentoring,” Rogers said. “There’s this idea that you learn from the mistakes you’ve made in the past, you’ve learned from the times you’ve fallen down and had to get back up, and you always have a goal at the end. The goal in rock climbing is obviously to get to the top of the wall.”
Rogers said Memphis Rox is about accessibility.
“We’re trying to redefine currency,” Rogers said. “Redefining currency no longer means just money, it means energy, and that energy can be out back into the gym, into the community or into anything that you’re passionate about.”
Rock-climbing facility Memphis Rox will open with no economic barriers to the Memphis community on April 3. The idea for the facility came when founder Tom Shadyac wanted to bring art, education and mentorship to Memphis.
Rock-climbing facility Memphis Rox will open with no economic barriers to the Memphis community on April 3. The idea for the facility came when founder Tom Shadyac wanted to bring art, education and mentorship to Memphis.
Rock-climbing facility Memphis Rox will open with no economic barriers to the Memphis community on April 3. The idea for the facility came when founder Tom Shadyac wanted to bring art, education and mentorship to Memphis.
