On a Friday afternoon, a group of DePaul students trickle into the Movement climbing gym in Lincoln Park. They carry bags stuffed with shoes, water bottles and chalk bags. The climbers gather in a circle and mingle while stretching. Some break off early and approach the towering plastic rocks. They are part of a growing group that has taken to the walls to find community.

Climbing has grown extremely popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional ways of staying in shape. The sport has many different styles, like bouldering, which is free-climbing a wall, and top roping, which is climbing while attached to a rope. These are the two forms that students of the DePaul club practice the most.

Lucas Pazen, vice president of the DePaul climbing club, said that people are ditching running and lifting for activities such as climbing.

“As people look for more alternative ways of working out, I think they’re finding this to be less boring than … pushing heavy circles,” Pazen said. “A climb is like more of a puzzle. So it’s a body workout, but it’s also a mind workout.”

Ellie Kim, a sophomore in the club, was among those waiting to tackle a wall during Friday’s practice. She began climbing two years ago and said she was drawn to the sport because of the mental and physical benefits.

“It’s conquering your fear of heights and pushing yourself to be better than you are at the moment,” Kim said. “It’s really rewarding and super satisfying for your body and for your mind.”

Rock climbing has long been viewed as an exclusive sport. Pazen shared that the cost alone can be incredibly limiting, with special shoes and recurring gym memberships draining bank accounts. A monthly membership in Chicago alone can run close to $90, and climbing shoes last up to six months before needing replacement. 

The DePaul club hopes to mitigate financial hurdles for students by negotiating discounted rates with the climbing gym on days that they meet.

“Our whole club’s mission is just to make climbing more accessible to people,” said Margaret Jemian, president of the DePaul climbing club. 

Jemian explained that the club typically buys climbing passes in bulk, which is ultimately paid for through a $25 quarterly club due. 

“It’s an expensive sport,” Jemian said. “It really is, between the shoes and the gear and everything, especially for college students.”

Many see the club membership not just as a way to improve their fitness, but also as a way to socialize. Kim works at a local climbing gym, which gives her access to personal training, but chooses to stay with the club because of the community.

“It’s the one thing that’s kept me coming,” Kim said. “I could just climb on my own, … but I don’t want to. … It’s just a great community to be a part of where I’m not only having fun, but I’m also being pushed to grow as a climber as well.”

The club has about 170 registered members, with 20 to 30 attending a weekly practice at a given time. Members of the club, including Pazen, hope those who join will grow to love it as much as he did when he started.

Pazen first tried climbing in high school and “never put it down.”

“I could not tell you why I’m so into it,” Pazen said. “All I know is that I cannot stop. I’m so addicted to this.”

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