“Gravity Vault, indoor rock-climbing franchise, targeting new facility in Lehigh Valley”

This article focuses on Gravity Vault expanding to Lehigh Valley. Jared Esposito discussed why he decided to go with the Gravity Vault concept and further discussed the real estate process of finding a facility. Lucas and Tim expanded on being named New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year and further discussed the history of the Gravity Vault Brand. Read the full article here or preview below. 

“Gravity Vault, indoor rock-climbing franchise, targeting new facility in Lehigh Valley”

By: Nick Falsone 

Jared Esposito wants to literally get folks in the Lehigh Valley off the ground, but he first needs to figuratively get his own business plan targeting the region off the ground.

Esposito, of Upper Saucon Township, this month signed a franchise agreement with The Gravity Vault, an indoor rock-climbing facility in New Jersey that has won accolades in the growing rock-climbing community and from business leaders in the state.

The business’s founders, long-time friends Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh, opened their first facility in 2004 in Upper Saddle River, N.J. A second one then opened in Chatham, N.J., but the agreement with Esposito would create the first one west of the Delaware River.

Kovalcik and Walsh, who earlier this year were named New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, say what their facilities offer is far more substantial than the typical indoor rock-climbing apparatus found in some local gyms and collegiate fitness centers. The Gravity Vault will feature at least 30-foot-high ceilings and up to 20,000 square feet of climbable surface, the founders say.

Read full article here. 

"SBA honors owners of The Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym in Chatham"

Owners, Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik traveled this past Tuesday to Washington D.C. and were welcomed as special guests to the White House. They have climbed their way to the top since opening in 2005 and are looking to the future, adding more locations. Preview how they got there below or read the full article here.

"SBA honors owners of The Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym in Chatham"

By: Independent Press

Two long-time friends and New Jersey natives, Lucas Kovalcik and Timothy Walsh know what it is like to climb to the top. They took their passion for fitness and rock climbing and turned it into a successful business.

Today the owners of The Gravity Vault LLC, a premier indoor rock climbing facility with locations in Chatham and Upper Saddle River, were named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2013 New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year.

In making the announcement at the company’s Chatham facility, SBA’s New Jersey District Director Al Titone said Kovalcik and Walsh were selected for the award based on criteria that include: Staying Power (a substantial history of an established business); Growth in Number of Employees; Increase in Sales; Financial Strength of the Company; Innovativeness of Product or Service Offered; Response to Adversity and Contributions to Aid Community Oriented Projects.

Read full article here.

Refresh Your Training

Are you tired of the same old routine when you head into the gym? Thanks to Climbing Magazine we have some fresh ideas to try next time you come in. Read full article here or begin below.

"New workouts to refresh your gym training"

By: Julie Ellison and Alex Biale




Thanks to your local climbing gym, rock climbing is a four-season, every-day-of-the-week sport. It’s always sunny in the plastic paradise, even during the dark, cold, and wet winter months. Easy and instant access should do wonders for your climbing, but there’s a fatal flaw to many climbers’ training regimen: monotony. It’s easy to fall into a blah routine or just hop on any 5.10 with the shortest line. But infusing your workout (and it is a workout) with purpose, variety, and motivation will yield big results in your strength, endurance, and power. We teamed up with professional coaches and trainers to develop 13 workouts that will maintain psych for the gym and your winter training. The best part? All you have to do is climb. No complicated multi-month schedule to follow—just pick a specific workout and go. Of course, the upside to training is not only a more impressive ticklist come spring, but a beautiful and awe-inspiring physique to go with it. We know you didn’t get into climbing for those rippling muscles, but we haven’t heard any complaints.

Benefit key

Power: High-intensity movement or maximum strength combined with speed and the ability to do a hard move quickly and forcefully; climbers need this for “big” moves, lunges, and dynos, among others

Endurance: The ability to do lowintensity work for a long time, meaning how long you can stay on the wall

Power-Endurance: The ability to sustain high-intensity movements; being able to do many hard moves in a row

Technique: How to move efficiently with footwork, hand moves, sequences, beta, etc.

Continue to full article here. 

"Upper Saddle River Rock Climbing Franchise Eyes Pennyslvania Expansion"

The Gravity Vault is looking to expand into Pennyslvania, and you could be the next owner! Preview article below or see full story here.

"Upper Saddle River Rock Climbing Franchise Eyes Pennyslvania Expansion"

By: Myles Ma



UPPER SADDLE RIVER — Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh, owners of the Gravity Vault, want to expand their indoor rock climbing gym franchise to Pennyslvania,Lehigh Valley Business reported.

The business is looking for buildings of 10,000 to 16,000 square feet, with ceilings at least 30 feet high, Walsh said.

Full article here.

"Entrepreneurs Eye Indoor Rock Climbing Franchise"

The Gravity Vault's Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik were recently featured in an article on lvb.com. Begin the article below or read the full story here.

"Entrepreneurs Eye Indoor Rock Climbing Franchise"

By: Brian Pedersen

Two entrepreneurs are looking to bring an indoor rock climbing gym franchise to the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh, founders of The Gravity Vault, are natives of Bergen County, N.J., and are looking to open a Bethlehem or Allentown area location in the first quarter of 2014.

"We are currently hitting the pavement, looking at locations, finding the right real estate," Kovalcik said.

Walsh said the business is looking for buildings of about 10,000 to 16,000 square feet, with good visibility, column spaces and a ceiling height of at least 30 feet.

Read full article here.

Back to the Basics

Just getting started in the sport of rock climbing? Thanks to the folks at REI we can provide you with the necessary information to start you on your adventure. Read in this article about the benefits of an indoor gym vs. outdoor bouldering. Read full article here or begin below.

"Getting Started Rock Climbing"

BY: REI



For physical fitness, fun and, yes, adrenaline, nothing beats rock climbing. Despite its daredevil reputation, rock climbing can be enjoyed safely by any reasonably fit person with proper instruction and equipment.

In this article, REI Outdoor School instructors offer tips and video instruction to serve as a basic primer. But keep in mind thatprofessional instruction is essential for any beginner—especially if you are heading outdoors. It takes more than reading an article and viewing videos to make you a climber!

Types of Rock Climbing

The rock-climbing world consists of a number of small niches. Consider which aspect of the sport interests you the most.

Indoor Sport Climbing

This can be at a climbing gym, sports club or even a home climbing wall. Some REI stores also offer a climbing wall or freestanding pinnacle where you can learn. Indoor walls have artificial hand and foot holds placed in sequence to create routes of varying difficulty. Route setters can move holds easily, creating an endless number of fresh, new climbs.

Read full article here.

Climbing Shoes for Beginners

Ok, so rock climbing has become your new favorite sport and you are slowly progressing. What's next? Your first pair of climbing shoes! Just like beginning any other sport you are lost and unsure what to look for in this first purchase. Thanks to our friends at Outside Magazine they have provided this article with tips and suggestions of what to look for. Read full article here or begin below.

"What Should I Look For In My First Pair Of Climbing Shoes?"

By: Joe Jackson

The world of climbing is filled with opinionated people. For advice on my first pair of climbing shoes, I turned to one of them: Saylor Flett, a full time teacher for Feather River College's Outdoor Program where he has introduced hundreds of students to climbing.

He's been obsessed with all things climbing for more than a decade, and in spite of having a real job—is a proper dirtbag. His position offers him ample time to live the dream—taking off to Yosemite every May to sleep in a cave and climb big walls like El Cap.

Saylor told me that everyone should absolutely buy their first pair of climbing shoes from a reputable shop, but warned me to be wary with the fitting advice that you may receive from the employees. "Some tough guy gym rat who can do pull ups with his pinkies is going to tell them to buy a pair of shoes that are a size and a half too small. They aren't going to clip their toenails, are going to be miserable in those shoes, and they are going to quit climbing," he said.

Read full article here.

What Exactly is Slacklining?

You may have seen our slackline around the gym. Are you more curious as to what all the rage is about? Thanks to our friends at Gibbon Slacklines you can't get an introduction here. Read full article here or begin below. 

What Is Slacklining?

By: Gibbons Slacklines



Slacklining is the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible piece of webbing which is low to the ground and usually anchored between two trees. Originating in the climbing world, slacklining has evolved into a cross trainer, backyard activity and sport all of its own.

Slacklining can be traced back to climbing camps in Yosemite during the mid seventies. Climbers would stay there for weeks blazing new routes and in their time on the ground they starting rigging climbing rope to walk across. They found that the activity improved their core strength, balance and movement for climbing - and is was FUN.


Read full article here.

"Boulder Climbing Competition in Chatham Draws More Than 100 Climbers"

The Gravity Vault hosted the ABS Youth Local Competition at Chatham this past Saturday. Read the full article here or preview below. In the article James explains the rules of the competition and the rise of popularity for the sport amongst the youth. Also included are photos and videos from the event. This competition serves as one of two of the qualifiers for climbers to be able to compete in regional competitions and beyond.

“Boulder Climbing Competition in Chatham Draws More Than 100 Climbers”

 BY: The Independent Press

They were climbing walls, literally, in Chatham at the Gravity Vaulton Saturday.

The facility at 40 Watchung Ave. drew more than 120 youth climbers throughout the region to the American Bouldering Series competition. One reason is climbers who are members of USA Climbing and want to take part in the regional competitions and beyond, must have taken part in at least two local competitions.

James Harpster, the general manager of the facility, said this region incorporates New York, New Jersey and the western half of Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Read full article here.

NJ's 'Small Business Persons of the Year' Bringing Rock Wall to Mahwah Day

The Gravity Vault was featured on the Mahwah Patch on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 about Gravity Vault’s participation in the upcoming Mahwah Day celebrations and being named New Jersey’s Small Business Persons of the Year.

The article begins with a brief description of Mahwah Day. The article then goes on to highlight the accomplishment of Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik being named New Jersey’s Small Business Persons of the Year and their commitment to the community. Tim Walsh is quoted about his efforts to give back to the community, their involvement each year with Mahwah Day and how it feels to be named New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year. Preview the article below or begin here.

"NJ's 'Small Business Persons of the Year' Bringing Rock Wall to Mahwah Day"

BY: JESSICA MAZZOLA

Local business that has been a staple at Mahwah Day received the recognition from the Small Business Administration over the summer.

Saturday’s Mahwah Day promises to be an exciting one – the National Weather Service is predicting sunny skies and warm temperatures, new and returning vendors are set to line Commodore Perry Field, and shows, rides, entertainment, and fireworks are all on tap.

One Mahwah Day favorite is in the midst of celebrating a landmark accomplishment it made over the summer.

The owners of Gravity Vault, the Upper Saddle River rock climbing gym that has brought a rock-climbing wall to Mahwah Day for the past six years, were recently named the Small Business Administration’s 2013 New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year.

Read the rest of the article here

Gravity Doesn’t Bring Kovalcik & Walsh Down

Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh are featured on Eighteen Fifty-One Franchise Project. You can begin the article below or read full one here.

"Gravity Doesn't Bring Kovalcik & Walsh Down"

By: PATRICK LAUGHLIN





General hours for businesses are normally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

But for Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh, co-founders of Gravity Vault, that just isn’t enough time. 10- and 12-hour days are what these gentlemen put in to make sure their indoor rock climbing franchise is running on all cylinders.

Opening a rock climbing business has been a learning experience for both Kovalcik and Walsh from the very start. Early on, the two decided that they wanted to open a couple of gyms before signing their first franchisee, meaning that they spent many years and countless hours of planning to reach their goal.

Nine years later, the duo’s love for the sport has translated into ongoing success, including the successful launch of the franchise, the signing of their first franchisee, and being named New Jersey State Small Business People of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Click here for full article.

Small Business Digest Radio Interview

Check out blogtalkradio.com on the Small Business Digest featuring Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik, founders of The Gravity Vault.

For the interview, Tim and Lucas discussed their backgrounds leading up to The Gravity Vault. They discussed their plans with The Gravity Vault and the success they have seen. Tim and Lucas tackle “three things they have learned” since starting their own business, and how they are able to work together so well. Tim and Lucas were also able to work in a shout out to Steve Beagelman of SMB Franchise Advisors.

The full segment can be found below. Tim and Lucas start at about 27 minutes and 45 seconds in and go until about the 44 minute and 35 second mark.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smallbusinessdigest/2013/09/12/small-business-digest

Bergen County, New Jersey New Student Sendoff for Cornell University

The Gravity Vault will be hosting a sendoff for Bergen County graduates who will be headed to Cornell University this fall. The sendoff will be held at The Gravity Vault in Upper Saddle River on Sunday, August 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Owner Lucas Kovalcik is an alumna of Cornell '98.

Light refreshments
Casual attire
Parents are also welcome to attend.
Rock wall climbing available (but optional) for all guests.

Date: Sunday, August 4, 2013
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: 107 Pleasant Avenue at Route 17N, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
www.gravityvault.com | 201.934.ROCK (7625)

Students may register for the event by clicking HERE.

Event questions? Contact Claudia Meer '73 at cgm8@cornell.edu
Registration questions? Contact Ilana Carlin at ilana.carlin@cornell.edu / 212-351-7685

The Gravity Vault Featured on NJ.com

The Gravity Vault was recently featured on NJ.com in an article titled, "Rock climbing gym founded in Upper Saddle River grows with sport".

In the article, Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh expand on their backgrounds, how they turned their passion for rock climbing into a business, and The Gravity Vault overall concept. They explain how they started franchising the brand, signed their first franchisee’s and how it has helped them grow their business. Tim an Lucas elaborated on how they were named New Jersey State Small Business People of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. They also discussed the future development plans for the area and state.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Rock climbing gym founded in Upper Saddle River grows with sport

By: Myles Ma

UPPER SADDLE RIVER — Timothy Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik remember what it was like when they first opened the Gravity Vault in 2005

Parents, worried for their children's safety, would always stay for birthday parties at the Upper Saddle River indoor rock climbing gym.

Now, as the perception of the sport has changed, parents are less likely to stick around.

"Now people drop them off when they're 5 years old and they don't even look back," Kovalcik said.

Read full article here.

The Gravity Vault Featured in Chatham Patch

The Gravity Vault was recently featured in the Chatham Patch in an article titled, "Gravity Vault Owners Names Small Business Owners of the Year".

The article featured The Gravity Vault owners of Chatum, Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh. The article discusses their passion for rock climbing, how they created the concept and their involvement with the local community. Lucas and Tim noted that they were honored to be named New Jersey Small Business Owners of the year and happy to bring more attention to the sport.


Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Gravity Vault Owners Named Small Business Owners of Year

By: Laura Silvius

Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik, owners of the Gravity Vault in Chatham, constantly hear that rock climbing must be only for extreme athletes.


"We both feel like the indoor rock climbing is still perceived as an intense or extreme sport," Walsh, 37, said. "We’ve worked really hard to change the perception of that. We want people to know that anybody can climb with us."


The two men will have the chance to make that point Monday when they will receive the award for the Small Business Administration (SPA) 2013 New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year.