"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.