Originally from Brazil, Vini started climbing in 2014 to unwind from running kitchens in the hectic NYC restaurant scene. After falling in love with the sport and the community, he noticed many similarities between being a chef and a route setter. Vini then took the plunge to change careers.  

Vini especially enjoys setting tricky sequences and creating climbs that are fun yet challenging, and at times surprising. His style constantly evolves, and he eagerly seeks to learn from the international route-setting community. 

In his free time, he climbs outdoors, showers his cat “Helmet” with pets, and explores the diverse cuisines that NYC has to offer. 

Chris started routesetting in 2015 and has since gained experience in various climbing gyms across the country. Originally from California, he has been actively engaged in routesetting, youth programs, facility construction, and coaching within the climbing community. 

No matter where he resides, the climbing community has always felt like home to Chris. His passion for routesetting is driven by the desire to craft unique movements and redefine the possibilities of “climbing.” 

In addition to his climbing pursuits, Chris holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. During his leisure time, he enjoys activities such as painting, planning unconventional climbing sets, and cooking from scratch. 

It wasn’t long after discovering climbing back in 2014 that you could find me in the gym almost every day of the week. As the passion for the sport and understanding of body movement continued to grow exponentially, I found myself equally intrigued by the idea of creating the puzzles on the wall that I had fell so in love with solving. After shoving my foot in the door and spending a few years struggling to push it open, I finally found myself with an apprentice opportunity. It’s been six years now and I’ve never looked back.   

For me climbing has always been about overcoming both the mental and physical challenges that occur on the wall. Being able to provide the same environment for the climbing community while watching people learn something new about themselves or their climbing abilities, and evoking any sort of emotion in them (whether that be fear, anger at how uncomfortable they feel squeezed into whatever awkward position I’ve cooked up, or the joy of topping out their project), are incredibly fulfilling aspects of my career as a route setter.   

When not in the gym route setting, almost all of my free time is spent climbing outside, doing the NYT crossword puzzle, or cozied up under a nice warm blanket with my forever puppy of a dog Koko, bingeing tv and eating ice cream. 

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Matty was first introduced to climbing by his oldest brother in 2012 during a stay in California. His career with Movement began in 2013, working at the original Earth Treks facilities. After 10 years in the Baltimore area, he moved to New York City. 

As a setter, Matty’s style leans into the inherit flow from move to move on a climb. He strives to have each climb feel like a dance up the wall. Within the gym, Matty wants to create climbs that excite people, even long after they have been taken down. His inspiration comes from the outdoor crags of the South and Northeast. 

When not in the gym, you can find him playing with his dog Glotis, checking out the latest Ravens games, or getting lost in the boulder fields of PA, WV, and TN 

I was officially introduced to climbing in 2016 by my grandpa, who has been climbing since 1997.  I started routesetting in 2019 and eventually found myself setting at Gowanus. 

A lot of my setting is dedicated to accessibility for short folks.  Additionally, I love footwork such as heel hooks, toe hooks, heel-toe-cams, etc. I bought the whole shoe; I’m going to use the whole shoe. 

Outside of routesetting, I am a Commercial Pilot.  I graduated from Farmingdale State College with a BS in Airport Management and a BS in Aeronautical Sciences: Professional Pilot.  I absolutely love being far away from the ground. 

Hayley started climbing in 2017 after watching Carole try on Real Housewives of New York and thinking ‘that looks easy.’ It wasn’t. She enjoyed the challenge and started working as a front desk employee and instructor. Hayley took a setting clinic and was later hired as setter in early 2022 when the Gowanus location opened.  

When she isn’t setting, Hayley is likely playing Dungeons and Dragons or cheering on Sheffield United FC. If you see her in the gym, say hi and feel free to chat about your latest send, DnD campaign, or Survivor.  

Blu started her career in rock climbing at the front desk of the gym and, after the pandemic, she took an interest in routesetting. Trained by the gym’s top route setters, Blu has developed a unique style that blends her circus and dance background into each climb. Her routes are puzzle-like and fluid, demanding clever body positioning and thoughtful footwork. 

Outside the gym, Blu is a lover of life’s simple joys. Whether she’s in her element outdoors, at a concert losing herself in the music, or at home enjoying some quality time with her cat. 

Born and raised in MA, Sebi discovered a love for climbing his junior year in high school. He quickly became inseparable from his local climbing gym and began working there shortly after graduation. After becoming a coach and setter, Sebi knew he had a passion for educating both new and young climbers on the art of movement through climbing. Outside of the gym, Sebi is a dedicated sport climber, frequenting Rumney NH any chance he gets. 

Fast forward many years later and you can find Sebi happy as can be, providing fun, challenging and educational climbing for the NYC community. If you see him in the gym, don’t be shy, feel free to ask about the sets or if he sent his latest project (he hasn’t).