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CLIMBING HIGH: “We believe that new heights can always be reached not only on our walls, but in all parts of life. The best way to achieve these heights is to be together.” This mission statement of The Gravity Vault Princeton emphasizes its focus on meeting challenges vigorously, with skill and dedication, thus accomplishing a rewarding and meaningful result. Shown is the indoor rope climbing wall at the company’s Plainsboro Plaza location.

By Jean Stratton

“It’s a chance to flirt with adventure; an opportunity to break from the ordinary; a really meaningful alternative to a tired fitness format.”

Sound intriguing?

Not to keep you in suspense: it is rock climbing!

Michael Morand, co-owner of The Gravity Vault Princeton, is an enthusiastic advocate of this challenging and exciting activity, and wants to share its benefits and advantages with everyone.

Just opened last December in the Plainsboro Plaza at 10 Schalks Crossing Road in Plainsboro, the 17,500-square-foot facility offers a complete range of indoor climbing opportunities, as well as yoga classes and a fully-equipped gym.

Experienced Climbers

Both Morand and co-owner Shan Jiang are experienced climbers.

“As a climber, I was looking for something that offered more innovative opportunities,” explains Jiang. “There was really no climbing facility that offered what I wanted.”

She looked into The Gravity Vault franchise opportunity, and liked what she found. Established in 2005 in New Jersey, it now offers 14 locations in New Jersey and California, with more to come in New York, Virginia, and Texas.

“This is a young industry, but it is growing in popularity, especially in the last 10 years,” says Morand. “It really became popular during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and people began looking for a place to try it out, and others, who were experienced, for a place to train.”

“Its benefits are two-fold,” points out Jiang. ‘Climbing is very challenging. It takes you out of your comfort zone. It provides both great physical and mental exercise because it takes real concentration and focus. It is also a way to make friends when you climb together. In addition, it’s a great chance for kids to gain confidence and be with others.”

In fact, children can start as young as 5 years old, she reports. Special kids’ programs and classes are gaining popularity.

Entire Family

“It really is for everyone, the entire family,” adds Morand. “We have kids 8, 9, and 10, and teens, as well as climbers in their 60s and 70s coming, and everyone in between, including lots of people in their 20s and 30s. And we have people at all levels and abilities, from beginners to advanced.

“It’s just a great opportunity on so many levels,” he continues. “It offers great exercise, builds core strength, leg and hand strength, and as Shan said, it is a terrific mental workout. You have to plan ahead, know how to balance, figure out which way to move. You have to have a very clear goal. When you are concentrating like this, it gets rid of distractions. You forget worrying about that ‘to do’ list.”

Indoor rock climbing features structures that are bolted with colorful holds for the climber’s hands and feet. The Gravity Vault offers two basic styles of rock climbing: one, bouldering, and two, rope climbing.

As Morand explains, “Bouldering involves climbing on 14- to 16-foot walls over 14-inch padded floors, and it requires power, balance, and problem-solving. Rope climbing involves 30 to 40 foot walls with a rope and harness, requiring additional endurance and focus over a longer climb. The rope climbing walls include top rope, lead, speed, and kids’ themed climbing walls, with more than 70 stations, including eight auto-belays. Our ropes are incredibly strong. They will hold 1,000 pounds.”

Belaying is the act of managing the rope for the person who is climbing, he says. This can be done with a person or automatically with a device.

The overall Gravity Vault environment is very colorful. The “routes” on the wall and the hand holes are all color coordinated, and the routes are changed frequently, points out Morand. “We change the climbing routes to keep it interesting and new. It’s like choreographing a dance routine and movement. There are different levels and challenges for different skill levels and abilities.”

Careful Attention

“Additional climbing features at the site include a 12-by-12-foot adjustable Kilter board, spray wall, keyhole arch, crack routes, and an interactive boulder wall,” he adds.

Also, safety rules emphasizing climbing awareness, responsibility, and careful attention are prominently displayed.

Other opportunities, such as four yoga classes (all styles and degrees of intensity) and HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes are held weekly. Yoga and party rooms, and lockers and bathrooms with showers, are all available.

There is also a pro shop with a variety of items, such as climbing shoes, harnesses, chalk bags, and other gear and supplies.

Classes include one-on-one or group instruction, and a six-week children’s program in which they attend once a week is a big attraction.

Birthday parties have become very popular, and in addition to the celebrating, the participants have a chance to climb under the guidance of instructors.

“Third Place”

Offering an inclusive setting and experience for all who come is a major priority, points out Morand. “The location was designed as a ‘third place,’ where people can connect and foster community. A ‘third place’ is a location other than work or home, where people can get together, make friends, and establish connections.

”We need this. There is loneliness today, with individuals working from home, not getting together with others. People are really looking for a chance to be together. We really especially see this on Wednesday nights, when we offer specials, and when they’re not climbing, as many as 50 people will be sitting around and talking.

“I especially enjoy this sense of community, both with the climbers and with our staff. We have an amazing staff of 20 instructors, route setters, and leaders who work tirelessly to create this first-rate climbing experience.”

He is very encouraged by the enthusiastic response to The Gravity Vault in such a short time. There are already regular climbers, coming once a week, or even several times a week, he reports.

“We typically have 700 people a week, and they are all ages and coming from all over the Princeton area. They also like the Plainsboro Plaza location, with its variety of stores and businesses, and convenient parking.”

The Gravity Vault offers several ways to participate in the climbing program, he adds. Day passes and membership plans are available, and walk-ins are also welcome.

Complete Access

An adult day pass is $28, and membership plans (one, three, and six month or annual) start at $115 for one month. A summer camp program will also be offered.

And as Morand points out, “If you have a membership, you have complete access to our gym, so you don’t really need to go to a gym anywhere else.”

As he has underscored, establishing and enhancing the community concept for all who come is very important, and this is evidenced in a number of ways. It also includes the work of area photographers and other artists, which is displayed in the facility.

“We definitely emphasize inclusion in every way we can. We want people to feel that this is their place, their ‘go to’ place, almost a home away from home. We want everyone to feel they can come here, that they are accepted.

“The challenge is how best to educate people about indoor climbing,” he continues. “We want people to know it is for everyone. Some people may think it is too difficult, even dangerous. Some may be afraid of heights. We help them to overcome their hesitancy or fear. And once they try it, they find out how much fun it is. How exciting and exhilarating!

“The opportunity to chalk up your hands, and pull on colorful holds on an indoor wall, will provide an accessible and thrilling way to seek adventure.”

The Gravity Vault is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For further information, call (609) 228-9745. Visit the website at gravityvault.com/locations/princeton-nj.