The Great Ascent: College Students Take Climbing to New Heights

Rock climbing has gained popularity among college students as exposure to the sport increases and more gyms open throughout the Chicago area.

Lucas Pazen, a sophomore at DePaul University and a rock climbing instructor at Movement Gyms, in Chicago, believes events like the Summer Olympics in Tokyo introduced climbing to younger audiences. According to Climbing magazine, more than 3 billion people watched the sport’s Olympic debut.

When rock climbing premiered at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, searches for the term spiked, according to Google Trends. It surged again three years later during the Paris Olympics.

In response to growing demand, climbing gyms have opened across the country, including in major cities where elementary and high school students can join teams. In 2021, following the Tokyo Olympics, 53 new climbing gyms opened in the United States—the most in a single year, according to Climbing Business Journal. Once in college, students often stick with the sport as many universities add climbing walls to recreation centers and new gyms open near campuses to keep up with rising interest. 

 Dave Hudson, co-founder of First Ascent Climbing and Fitness (faclimbing.com), says his gym’s fastest-growing demographic is people ages 18 to 30 years. He attributes the trend to their openness to trying new activities and desire to connect with others. First Ascent opened its first gym in 2015 and has since expanded to seven locations in Chicagoland.

“People are looking for fitness, ways to stay in shape and fun activities—to do experiential activities—and they’re looking for something, I think, that’s a little bit more community-driven,” Hudson says. 

Creating Community and a Support Network

Although exposure to rock climbing has increased, another reason people try it—and stick with it—is the sense of community. Access, camaraderie, and physical and mental health benefits all contribute to the sport’s appeal.

“In college, climbing was my outlet,” says Olivia Marquiis, a climbing instructor at Movement Gyms Chicago (MovementGyms.com)
and a student at Loyola University Chicago. “Whenever I was stressed, I would go climbing.” 

Pazen agrees that climbing is both a stress reliever and a way for people to gather and support each other.

“I was never someone to really enjoy lifting weights in the gym,” Pazen says. “So the social aspect of being able to do it with friends and meet new people is more enticing than just, again, lifting heavy weights. I think it’s super fun, and it’s a great pastime. It’s exercise, it’s something for your mind and it gets you out of the house.”

Climbing is unique in that it is both an individual sport and a collaborative activity. 

“It’s you against the rock,” Hudson says. He describes climbing as a growth-oriented sport that builds confidence, trust and movement skills. It’s an individual challenge, yet climbers have the camaraderie of a team. 

While climbers rely on their own strength to scale a wall, problem-solving is often a communal experience. The term “beta” refers to strategies or advice that help a climber complete a climb. Many climbers build community by sharing beta, offering encouragement and supporting one another in achieving their goals. 

Pazen advertises rock climbing to potential climbers as a social exercise. Gen Z, he says, is looking for opportunities to exercise and build community. “I think rock climbing is a good alternative,” says Pazen. 

“It’s just a really great way to keep yourself active without having it feel like a chore or a task, and you can meet your best friends,” Marquiis adds.

Staying Strong and Preventing Injuries 

While rock climbing is open to all ages, safety is key. 

James Lee, a physical therapist and owner of Lee Physical Therapy (LeeptChicago.com),specializes in preventing and treating climbing-related injuries. 

“Learn how to climb like a sloth,” he advises. “People aren’t really intentional on how they’re using their fingers—they’re just wanting to get to the top or to the end of the route.” 

Rather than rushing to the next hold, climbers should focus on deliberate movement. Common injuries Lee treats include finger and joint issues, which can often be avoided by being mindful of how one climbs and where one distributes their weight. Many climbing gyms offer introductory classes that teach proper technique and injury prevention. 

The Long-Term Appeal of Rock Climbing

As the climbing movement continues to expand across college campuses, it’s clear that rock climbing isn’t just a fitness trend—it’s a community-driven activity that offers both physical and mental benefits. For students looking to stay active, meet new people and challenge themselves, the sport presents a unique combination of adventure, camaraderie and personal growth.

Chloe Karydes Krecun is a sophomore at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She began rock climbing when First Ascent opened its first gym in Chicago and continues to climb when she’s not studying. Connect with her on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/chloe-karydes-krecun.