“I think once word gets out and people actually start coming and trying this out, they're going to be very excited,” said Levi Kirk, owner of Renewed Strength Fitness.
Sport climbing debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is scheduled to return at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. It will soon be making its debut here in Midland.
If you've never climbed a wall before, or if you love climbing and would like an opportunity to do so in West Texas, you'll be able to take advantage of our renovated Strength Fitness in the new Summit Center in the coming months.
“We don't have a rock climbing place here, so we thought why not add this to everything else we do,” said Levi Kirk, owner of the renovated Strength Fitness.
The facility offers a variety of athletic activities, including HIT training, cycling, and CrossFit pickleball.
The most exciting part is the state-of-the-art rock climbing wall.
“The rock climbing wall is from Walltopia, and it's like any high-end rock climbing wall you can get,” Kirk explained. “The rock climbing world really loves this brand. It couldn't be a better brand.”
The materials are also top notch.
Kirk said the wall panels were flown in from Bulgaria and that climbers are always impressed every time they see them.
Right after the Olympics, Kirk and his team wanted to create the ultimate indoor space for outdoor enthusiasts right here in the Midlands.
Like Tyler Nordengren, an experienced climber who discovered sport climbing at Colorado State University.
When asked what he felt while climbing, Tyler replied: “You definitely use a lot of your brain. You definitely have to use your brain when you're climbing, but that's what I like, because it's not only completely thoughtless, but it's still a physical activity. So I get the best of both worlds while still exercising my mind, which is definitely therapeutic for me.”
With plenty of crash pads, different types of grips, frequently changing courses, and boards designed to improve grip strength, Walltopia welcomes all skill levels.
First, try training your finger strength.
Rock climbers spend a lot of time doing pull-ups and finger grips, and Tyler says, “It definitely helps you more. I mean, your technique isn't very good at first, but once you can get some good technique. It's okay if your grip isn't that strong.
If you don't know the language of rock climbing, you can learn it too.
Kirk described some of them. Volumes are blocks that protrude from walls. There are different levels of routes distinguished by numbers and different holds with different names.
As sport climbing grows into an Olympic setting, thrilling climbs await in the Permian Basin.
“I think once word of this gets out and people actually start coming and trying this out, people are going to be really excited about the final product,” Kirk said.
Kirk hopes the facility will be up and running in the coming months so the whole family can enjoy it and maybe become the next Olympian in sport climbing.
