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Outdoors | Earth Treks’ parent company buys Movement…

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Outdoors | earth treks’ parent company buys movement climbing gyms, combining memberships, members of earth treks and movement will be able to access both companies’ gyms starting nov. 11.

Englewood-based El Cap, the parent company of Earth Treks, announced Wednesday that it has acquired Colorado’s Movement Climbing + Fitness, meaning a member of either gym will have access to both companies’ combined five gyms across Colorado starting Nov. 11.

Outside of Colorado, members of both companies will also have access to Earth Trek’s five gyms in the Baltimore and DC areas and Planet Granite’s six gyms in California and Oregon.

RELATED:  The newest fantasy league on the block is for … sport climbing?

Updated pricing and member options will go into effect on Jan. 1 for both Earth Treks and Movement climbers. Membership benefits, such as guest passes and retail discounts, won’t carry over across brands immediately but are expected to start in mid-December. More details on how the changes will affect members can be found on Earth Trek’s website .

Movement, which was started in 2009 by Mike and Anne-Worley Moelter, has three locations: One in Boulder and two in Denver. Earth Treks has two local gyms: One in golden and another in Englewood, the latter of which is the largest climbing gym in the country .

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Largest U.S. Gym Network Unifies Under Movement Umbrella

The United States’ largest network of climbing gyms recently announced that all of its gyms will be unified under a single brand name—Movement—going forward. The announcement means that seven Earth Treks facilities and six Planet Granite facilities (along with six gyms already using the Movement Climbing + Fitness moniker) will be recast as Movement facilities under a cohesive brand name: Movement Climbing, Yoga, & Fitness.

In a press release , the brand’s parent company, El Cap – Movement, stated that the gyms’ name changes are intended “to simplify and clarify” the brand’s “marketplace position.” Charlotte Bosley, Movement’s Chief Marketing Officer, added, “Having all our gyms unite under the Movement brand will make it easier for our members across the country to find us and enjoy the fitness experience they’ve come to love at our gyms. Our members will have access to 19 gyms in 7 states featuring over 400,000 square feet of climbing walls and hundreds of convenient yoga and fitness classes.”

The CEO of El Cap, Robert Cohen, stressed that all the gyms will continue to partner with local community groups amid the respective facility name changes. 

This announcement about umbrella branding comes at the end of a busy year for El Cap – Movement, which has included the opening of three new locations. The original Movement gym was founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 2009 by Mike and Anne-Worley Moelter, who later added two more Movement gyms in Denver in 2014 and 2018 ; the most recent facilities were opened in 2021 in the Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park sections of Chicago and The Hill section of Dallas.

Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!

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Movement - Rockville

Updated 2 months ago

Review Highlights

“ Earth Treks is really good with changing out climbing routes, so every few weeks there are new routes to try out. ” in 36 reviews

“ This is quite the workout whether you do a class, a roped rock-climbing wall, bouldering , or the gym. ” in 27 reviews

“ The only negative thing I can say is about the price; $22 is pretty steep for a day pass without gear. ” in 15 reviews

Location & Hours

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725 Rockville Pike

Rockville, MD 20852

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There’s no other way to put it, this place is huge and the perfect place to learn and grow as a climber. We have more than 38,000 square feet of varied climbing terrain – just for some perspective, that’s the surface area of three Olympic-sized pools! And we certainly like to have fun here, from artisan fairs to coat drives, we have a thriving community that is always excited to meet new friends. Come for the climbing, stay for the helpful advice from gym staff and motivation from other members cheering each other up the wall. …

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Can I bring my 6 year old daughter, she loves climbing?! Will someone be there to belay? and can we come anytime you are open? DO we have to belong to earth treks? Thank you, URsula Poetzschke

Hi Ursula! You can definitely bring your daughter. Earth Treks Rockville has open climb session every Saturday and Sunday for 30 dollars per person for 3 climbs from 9-5, with harness included. I've seen staff belaying for people during open climb… more

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Overall rating

169 reviews

My first love and no doubt a world class gym. I must lament though that the boulder problems have declined in quality the last year or two. This place used to make the average bouldering gym seem like a waste of time. They still always have a few great problems, but it's lost that magic of having tons of clever tricks to discover. I do not mean to criticize, I'm just trying to give honest feedback. They still have the best lead routes of any gym I have encountered. I'm so glad to see how the gym has grown (literally) and physically. Your average climber at this gym is pretty strong so that naturally creates an encouraging atmosphere. It's awesome to be around so many people who can crush V7s and casually send upper 12s for leading. My personal goals for climbing have been bumped up in recent years because the the standard at the gym seems to be so high. In theory I am supposed to be focused on martial arts and only climbing casually, but it's hard to not get inspired to climb better when spending time at a place like ET. That is not to say it is not a good place for casual climbing. Always plenty of people just getting into it or folks who are not there to train crazy hard. They welcome climbers of all types and skill levels. Another strong note compared to other gyms I know: staff tends to be very humble and personable. I've seen some pretty awkward situations over the years when it comes to belay tests or questioning techniques. Without boring you with stories: bottom line ET staff is exceptionally good at calling people out (myself included) without it being taken offensively or getting uncomfortable. One last downside to note: this gym is a bit too popular for its' own good now. Gets nasty crowded sometimes. disclaimer: ive been climbing here for several years (since maybe 05?) but im far far from any sort of expert. Pulled off a V6 or two on good days when I was younger and in better shape and have sloppily managed a few 12As here and there over the years. So consider that if deciding how much credence to give or not give my assessment of the setting quality.

This gym, located behind Marlo Furniture store, is a beautiful rock climbing facility. There are plenty of climbing surfaces to suit all levels and types of climbers. Additionally, this facility sports a gym with cardio machines and weights. My Introduction to Rock Climbing class had only nine students and two instructors, so my classmates and I got lots of individual attention. I needed a knot tying refresher and the instructors made sure that we got plenty of practice tying the ropes correctly. During the class, there were a couple of instances where the instructors were obviously trying to kill time. The first came about halfway through the class when the instructors gave the class a fifteen minute break that we didn't need. Up until that point, we had only been tying knots and listening to instructions from the instructors, so it appeared the teachers needed the break more than the students did. The second time waster was when the instructors took us on a ten minute tour of the gym that we could have taken on our own time if we were interested in signing up for a membership to the gym. Overall, it seemed that the class was low on content and heavy on downtime. Admittedly, most of the people in the class had some climbing experience so perhaps we picked things up quicker than expected. Still, the class seemed to drag a bit. The instructors were cool, but they goofed off way too much, which I thought was very unprofessional of them! As a parting gift, each person in the class was given a booklet that covered all the climbing basics we learned in the class. This guide will come in handy whenever I need a climbing refresher.

I LOVE this place! How many other places can you have fun while working out? It does get pretty busy during the evenings especially during the summer, but you can still find space on the walls to climb, whether top roping, lead climbing, or bouldering. They change routes quite often so you won't get bored that easily. The difficulty level is pretty spread out and there are enough climbs for every skill level. They have a small gym if you want to do some normal workouts. They also offer yoga, abs class, and climbing classes free for members. They have a changing room with lockers and showers. I find this location to be a lot better than the Columbia one. That one is small, dark, and gives you a cramped feeling. This one is the biggest rockclimbing gym around and everyone at this location is super friendly and helpful. If you are by yourself, write your name down for the trade-a-belay to help you find someone to climb with. Definitely worth the price!

Excellent rockclimbing facility, and a great place to get a full body workout. The Rockville location has dozens of courses for all skill levels, so it is unlikely that you will ever get bored here! After you pass a belay test, all the walls/courses are available for you to explore. There is also a pretty extensive section for bouldering. They keep their equipment up very well, including mats, ropes, etc. There is also a gym, they offer fitness classes, and a little shop out front to get all your climbing gear. You can either join as a member, or get a day or week pass. Overall, great location and facility!

Friendly staff and climbers, great yoga classes, clean facilities, fun climbs, and plenty of events! The only downfall is that their success continues to draw more and more people and some nights get crowded. The membership is 100% worth every dollar you spend and you can get $20 off a month for referring people!

Movement Gym R.

Business Manager

Apr 15, 2019

Thank you for your kind words! We are psyched on how many people this awesome community brings to our gym - and do our best to mitigate crowds by being very intentional about timing and overlapping of programs. We hope to see you (and friends!) in the gym soon!

Wow. Post-expansion, and still absolutely terrified of heights, this facility is clean and amazing, and makes me want to battle my fear more. I had been here before and after, and on both occassions the staff has been very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is always great here--friendly, healthy people. I was intimidated at first because it was always packed and I couldn't find a private space to climb, but now with the expansion there are plenty of areas you can climb for some privacy and improvement. Great plus is that there is a nice small gym in there--nothing spectacular, but for having this inside a climbing gym that is pretty convenient. Everything they offer seems like a steal; Ive also heard that there are free classes like yoga offered with membership. They have an intro membership 2 for the price of 1, with courses included. Huge fan of their guest passes to members, which I'll be sure to continue leeching off of my friends :) PS: Bring your own shoes or a change of socks, otherwise your feet will be suffering some major odor damage. Come in the morning if you want to avoid the mad rush of people on weekends.

My first visit to Earth Treks was my first time rock-climbing so I have basis for comparison. However, I absolutely have no complaints about the facilities and the staff here. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The locker rooms/bathrooms are clean and comfortable (I LOVE the footbaths!). I recommend Earth Treks for both beginners and advance climbers of all ages.

I've been climbing for about three years now and have gone to over 20 gyms in the US. With that in mind, Earthtrek's Rockville location is an amazing place to climb whether you're a first timer or a seasoned climber. Not only is it one of the largest gyms I've been to but also one of the friendliest. The staff are amazingly helpful and friendly and the members of this gym are as equally motivating, respectful, and kind. I'm proud to call this my home gym. Now for the lines. The bouldering section is quite large but don't be surprised to see it packed with people even on a Monday night (Climbers are a bit addicted and crazy). I would say our grades have become a bit harder over the last three years so don't be discouraged if you get stuck on a problem! The top rope/lead areas are well set due to our creative setters. It's quite hard to get bored with these routes as there are many routes to climb! I've only started leading about a year ago and I have to say it has become a new motivation for me to become a better climber. So if you were once a boulderer like me, I would recommend walking over to the top rope/lead area and giving it a go! The only reason why this gym received a 4/5 is due to the price and benefits. The Rockville gym is quite pricey (a day pass and rentals go for 25+). The members of this gym also receive guest passes, however, they only receive 6 passes a year and may only use 1 pass per month (which is ridiculous as the new membership price is now $95). Even Sport Rock, which is another climbing gym in VA, allows 2 guest passes a month! But because of these two things I had to knock a star off of my gym sadly. Regardless, if you've never been to this gym, come! And you'll probably see me there =]

This place is in the Marlo Building. But you won't find it unless you go to the back and then drive behind the building till the end, and you'll see a little hidden back entrance. Inside they have a small workout room for people who have a montly membership I guess. It smells a bit like sweat, even though they have lots of fans and ventilation. I guess that it so be expected. I went for the class which came with a 2 week free climb membership. I really enjoyed myself and I got my certification for climbing on my own. But the problem is, no one else I know does this, so I haven't been able to go back... I suppose I could have done the bouldering- which they have as well- but it's also kind of pricey without a membership. Someday when my kiddo is older, I hope to have this be a hobby we do together-- hopefully this place will still be around!

I've been a member here for a few years, and I love it. The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable, and they put a premium on fun and safety. I had learned how to rockclimb indoors when I used to live in Richmond, and I was a member of another indoor gym. When I moved here, this place blew away my mind. Earth Treks is a large facility and is very clean. The bouldering area (located near the back of the gym) has tons of routes that offer plenty of projects until you scrape the last bit of skin off your fingers. Earth Treks is really good with changing out climbing routes, so every few weeks there are new routes to try out. I've taken some of their classes like their outdoor top rope systems class, and my instructor was Janelle (sp?). She was super approachable, covered the topics in an easy-to-follow manner, and it was a very hands-on class. I also took their lead climbing class two years ago, and the instructors took a very intimidating topic and made it easy to follow. I've been able to develop a core set of climbing competencies from those classes that have allowed me to take my climbing to new levels. Who doesn't like to go climbing outside? The place seems pretty kid-friendly as there seems to be frequent birthday parties. The only disadvantage of the gym is that at times, parking can be limited in the evenings or on the weekends. Don't park at Marlo (the furniture store adjacent to ET). If you're thinking of getting a membership here, it's well worth it. In addition to bouldering and rope climbing, you can also work out using the fitness area. It's equipped with machines, weights, rings, etc. Great place and totally worth checking out!

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A Look Inside America’s Largest Indoor Climbing Gym

Earth Treks debuted its new, 53,000-square-foot facility in Englewood last week.

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On Friday, Earth Treks opened the largest climbing gym in the United States, but they don’t want that to intimidate you.

The fitness company’s vast, 53,000-square-foot complex took over the old Sports Authority headquarters in Englewood, which has been empty since the retailer shuttered in 2016. The Englewood facility —Earth Trek’s second Colorado gym; the first location is in Golden—features 55-foot climbing walls with 10-foot ceiling overhang extensions, a yoga studio, a fully-equipped fitness area (think standard weight lifting and cardio machines) and even the company’s first child-care center.

The enormity of the space is meant to be accommodating, rather than daunting, says marketing director Tori Barnett. From casual yogis and extreme climbers to couch potatoes looking for some excitement, the new gym is designed to support visitors of all levels. “Our hope is that every single person who walks into this facility feels welcome and excited,” says Barnett, who insists climbing can be for everyone. “It’s approachable if you are three years old or 103 years old.”

Still, considering the company’s founder, Chris Warner, is a lifelong climber and professional mountaineer, whose conquests include Everest and K2, “approachable” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you look up at the looming climbing walls. Warner founded Earth Treks as an expedition guide company in the 1990s, but after a life-changing experience on Alaska’s Denali, transitioned it to the indoor climbing company that today includes 11 facilities in five states.

Last year, Earth Treks merged with Planet Granite, and plans to open gyms under both names in the coming years. As in Englewood, many of these gyms will be repurposed spaces. Already, the company has renovated an old tennis and racquetball facility, multiple historic buildings, and even an empty movie theater. Right now, it has its sights sets on Chicago.

Barnett says that when considering new areas for expansion, Earth Treks “looks at the communities there to see if they would support it or want it.” Earth Trek’s newest facility came after the company decided to deliver more gyms to the Mile High City. “The Denver metro area has always been great to us,” Barnett says. Englewood was an easy choice: “People in Englewood love adventure and fitness.” The ability to repurpose the massive space vacated by Sports Authority was just an added benefit.

A day-long event on September 22 will celebrate the gym’s opening and give thanks to the Englewood community for welcoming Earth Treks and bearing with the months of construction. Free open climbs and clinics will take place throughout the day, and a DJ will help transition the gathering into a full-fledge party in the evening. Barnett hopes the event will be an opportunity for first-timers to try climbing in a safe, welcoming environment.

“We just want to invite people in and show our passion for this,” she says.

If you go: 1050 W. Hampden Ave., Englewood

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Movement Crystal City Becomes First Unionized Climbing Gym

Employees at movement climbing, yoga & fitness crystal city, in arlington, virginia, have worked to unionize for the past nine months. now, their union certificate is in the mail, making the facility the first climbing gym in the country to unionize..

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Employees at Movement Climbing, Yoga & Fitness Crystal City, in Arlington, Virginia, have worked to unionize for the past nine months. Now, their union certificate is in the mail, making the facility the first climbing gym in the country to unionize.

Representatives of Workers United, the Service Employees International Union, and the Northern Virginia American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations helped in the unionization process. In the election, held November 14-16, 2021, employees voted 28 to 14 in favor of unionizing. Following the election, lawyers on behalf of El Cap, the corporate entity that owns Movement gyms, filed three objections regarding the election process and results. Those objections were ultimately overruled following a hearing in January. 

Prior to December 2021, Movement Crystal City was known as Earth Treks, which opened its first facility in Columbia, Virginia, in 1997, and had an additional four gyms by 2016. A year later, Earth Treks acquired Planet Granite, a gym chain with locations across the U.S., and changed its corporate parent title to El Cap Holdings, LLC. Robert Cohen, former vice president of Patagonia, took over as chief executive officer of El Cap in 2018. The company acquired another gym chain, Movement Climbing, Yoga & Fitness, in 2019, and now operates 20 climbing gyms across the U.S., all rebranded with the Movement name. 

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A Seat at the Table

Movement Crystal City employees report many positive changes since El Cap’s formation and rebranding strategies, including more sick leave, paid time off, wage increases, and even pro deals. 

“From the beginning, our goal has been to build workplace benefits, and a work environment that reflects the needs of our employees,” says CEO Robert Cohen. “And in building Movement, we have prioritized the employee experience, well beyond just standard benefits, to create an environment where employees can follow a career path doing something they are passionate about.”

Cohen says El Cap partnered with a research firm to ensure competitive and fair pay and benefits. This resulted in, according to Cohen, several company-wide increases, including during the pandemic. El Cap also provided close to 100 percent covered medical benefits for all eligible full-time employees, expanded 401(k) plans with up to four-percent company match, provided 80-hours of additional sick time pay for COVID-related illnesses, and more. 

“We’re proud of the changes we’ve enacted, particularly because our employees have helped form them through their direct input and feedback,” says Cohen. “And like any new program, it will continue to evolve and be enhanced.”

However, many employees felt sidelined as the company corporatized. 

“The folks who are working on the front desk, the folks who are working with members, and folks who just come into the gym the most—they have the least amount of say in what we like, how our working place looks, and how our job works,” says Gus Mason, a union organizer. Mason has been climbing for the past 10 years and has worked at Movement Crystal City as a full-time shift supervisor for about the last three and half years. 

Laura Artesi started at Movement Crystal City as a member in 2017. A few months later, she joined staff, working desk and teaching classes, eventually transitioning to a role as personal trainer and private coach. “We want to have a seat at the table to be privy to the corporate decisions that are getting handed down to the gyms,” she says, “and make sure that they work best for our employees.” 

“A big part of it, too, is just securing the things that we already have that we like,” adds Mason.

Says union organizer Wendy Low, “Right now, I would say the company’s goodwill towards us can change in a moment. And so some of the things we want to do are protect the things that we really like about working at the company.” Low’s passion for climbing developed when she was in college, in 2012. She began work at Movement Crystal City in late 2016 as a part-time birthday-party climbing instructor, and was later promoted to front desk and then became a youth recreational climbing club instructor. By October 2018, she was a full-time shift supervisor. 

All union organizers who spoke with Climbing voiced their desire to have a say in the decisions that impact their day-to-day. El Cap’s mask mandates flip-flopping, they told Climbing , exemplified a disregard for employee input. Union organizers remarked that after the CDC lifted restrictions, El Cap removed mask and capacity requirements in spite of employee protestations. 

“Employees weren’t comfortable with removing masks and management had said, ‘You know, we’re going to give [lifting restrictions] at least a few weeks,’” says Artesi. “And then [management] immediately backtracked on that.”

According to Cohen, Movement employees can provide feedback in person, via email, and through company-wide surveys. “Employees came up with the idea of supporting other team members facing financial strain during the lockdown through a ‘Chalk Bag Fund,’ and still others suggested we formalize the process, which we have—by making the relief initiative a formal 501c3,” says Cohen. “Similarly, we’ve developed a robust DEI program based almost entirely on input from employees across the country.  Actually, we just completed a recent survey and we’re excited about the level of participation.” Cohen adds that employed input influenced the company’s 2022 plans.

Better Transparency

Organizers also voiced a desire for more transparency with published wage ranges for each position, and a clear path to advance in the company.

“We’ve asked before [about pay ranges] and we’ve been denied that,” says union organizer Sylvain La. “We can’t tell what the pay range is for the positions we’re in.” La, a climber of 10 years, has worked at Movement Crystal City since 2018, becoming a shift supervisor in 2019.

Cohen notes that employees are encouraged to ask HR or their managers for specifics about pay ranges and career paths. 

Staff Reductions

According to all the Union organizers Climbing spoke with, the number of full-time positions at Movement was reduced. Low says that prior to the pandemic there had been nine to 11 full-time shift supervisors. Currently, there are four. 

“When the pandemic hit, all our gyms were shut down and later opened with very strict occupancy limits and operational hours,” says Cohen. “As a result, yes, staffing needs were impacted and, unfortunately, we had to let staff go across many functions. This was hardly a unique occurrence in this or any other industry, but it was painful just the same.”

El Cap Responds

Organizers announced their intent to unionize in a letter on June 29, 2021. Throughout the process, El Cap made it clear via meetings, emails, and internal social platforms that they were against unionization.

“We’ve done a good job building an engaging and fulfilling workplace, based on direct communication with our employees,” says Cohen. “We would like to continue on this path and not be inhibited by a third-party.”

Virginia is a Right to Work State—Movement Crystal City employees will not need to be in the union to work. However, they will be impacted by union activity.

El Cap representatives filed three objections following the election: whether shift supervisors could be members of the union and whether union organizers had used coercion to influence the outcome; whether it was lawful for union organizers to post union material on the company’s Facebook page and hold a union event on company property; and how union members’ activities “destroyed the laboratory conditions essential for holding a fair election” by disrupting a company meeting to address the union’s campaign and by allowing a union agent to enter company property. 

El Cap lost all three objections . 

Feeling pressure from management regarding his union-organizing efforts, Mason stepped back from a full-time shift supervisor to a part-time position last December. 

“I stepped back because of mental health reasons and it was becoming a stressful environment [to work in], with some conflict with leadership around the unionizing work,” he says. “A lot of folks that are kind of leading the unionizing effort are facing additional scrutiny or negative attention around things that previously might not have been an issue. … They’re very hypervigilant about what we’re doing in a way that feels targeted.” 

Sylvain La stepped down about a month ago. “There was quite a bit of pressure at the gym from the management,” he says … “Pressure we’re facing from being union organizers was a major factor [in stepping down].” Low stepped down as well.

Ultimately four unfair labor practice (ULP) charges were brought against El Cap for discrimination and retaliation against employees for union organizing activities. One of those charges was dropped by the employee. Charges alleged that El Cap reduced organizers’ hours and engaged in threats and reprisals “including but not limited to threats of termination.”

“It would be inappropriate to comment on individual ULP allegations that are being reviewed by the Labor Board, but for some employees to suggest Movement management was ‘targeting’ individuals is groundless and goes against the values and culture we’ve built here,” says Cohen.  “We care deeply about creating an equitable and fair place to work, and reinforce the same expectations across every role in our gyms.”

As of April 4th, the National Labor Relations Board’s recommendation for union certification has been affirmed. Union organizers will now elect leadership and bargaining between union representatives and El Cap will commence. This past week organizers invited the local, regional, and national leadership to a preliminary meeting to discuss the bargaining process. Negotiations regarding pay, working conditions, and hours may take years. 

Unionizing is invariably a tenuous process likely to raise tensions on all sides. Still, both El Cap and union organizers are looking toward a bright future. “Our commitment remains the same, to build the best indoor climbing experience for our members in an engaging, rewarding, workplace that’s second to none,” says Cohen.

“We wouldn’t be trying to form a union if we didn’t think that this was a company worthy of staying at,” says Artesi. “If the folks who were dissatisfied really didn’t believe in this company, then we just would have quit. But instead we see the value in being a part of this organization. We just want to be able to do it on our own terms.”

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America’s Largest Climbing Gym: What It’s Like

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Earth Treks in Englewood, Colo., just opened last week. It is the largest climbing gym in the United States. We visited and were impressed it invested equally in roped climbing and bouldering.

Hold after hold, I reach for big, white blocks that mark the direction of my route. I’m climbing a 5.10a that slightly overhangs on one of Earth Trek’s tallest walls. It towers 55 feet and is just one of the hundreds of routes climbers can choose from.

Earth Treks Englewood , located just south of Denver, opened last week. At 53,000 square feet, it’s North America’s largest climbing gym.

Initially, climbing in North America’s newly opened largest climbing gym went as expected. There are ropes, walls to climb, and staff to check you in. It felt like any other climbing gym.

But after my tour of the roped climbing area, the allure of Earth Trek dawned on me. The company invested nearly the same amount of space to both bouldering and roped climbing — a rarity in American climbing gyms.

Earth Treks Climb: America’s Largest Climbing Gym

I visited Earth Treks on a weekday afternoon for a climbing session and tour. Staff greeted me at the entrance, and I filled out a waiver.

Earth Trek’s marketing director, Tori Barnett, met me at the door for a tour.

The air was markedly calm, not exactly something you’d expect from a gym that opened one week ago. Climbers are going through the motions of picking routes, chalking up, and talking about weekend climbing plans.

Tori told me it picks up after working hours but never feels crowded, which is to be expected in a gym this big. There are plenty of routes for everyone.

We walked past places for belay lessons and exclusive climbing parties. Grigris hung from each of the top ropes, which is something new for Earth Treks. Climbers must use the gym’s belay devices if they want to top rope.

Earth Treks turned to professional climber Jason Kehl to design the walls. Each curve and overhang is proprietary to this gym, so climbing here is inherently unique.

But admittedly, there weren’t any jaw-dropping features on the walls. There are some cool, twisty cracks and a slab wall that stands out. And in the bouldering area, there are some challenging roofs and arches.

Otherwise, it’s pretty par for the course as far as climbing walls go.

Holds, Route Setting, Fitness: Earth Treks Englewood

Earth Treks flew in 25 route setters for the initial set at the gym. And after climbing a few top rope routes, the wall’s height is apparent.

The routes are long and enable setters to employ a multitude of fun problems for climbers to work through in each route.

And in the bouldering area, the routes are spread out — thanks in part to its massive space. You’ll find just about any style here, whether you prefer stemming, crimps, slabs, or slopers.

Earth Treks hired four dedicated setters for the Englewood location. Every eight weeks, climbers can expect a totally new set gym.

Gym-goers have access to a yoga studio, a fitness classroom, and a large free-weight and exercise equipment area. And you better believe there’s tons of climb-specific training equipment like Tension Boards , campus boards, and hang boards.

Earth Treks Englewood: Our Take

After climbing for two hours, I felt like I barely scratched the surface. In that time, I did some roped climbing, bouldering, and core. And I still felt like there was so much more to do.

Most days of the week, there are five yoga classes and two fitness classes. The fitness classes include core, high-intensity 30-minute workouts, and climb-specific training.

And child care is unique to this Earth Treks location. Parents can drop off their kiddos while they get their send on.

Rates are $22 for a day pass and $79 per month for an individual. You can learn more about pricing here .

I imagine Earth Treks to appeal to climbers with varied interests. With massive space dedicated to both fitness and climbing, you can work out in just about any way you can think of.

If you’re in the area, I definitely recommend checking it out. Climbing here is a novel experience and will definitely freshen up the gym climbing routine.

Nate Mitka performed hundreds of reviews for GearJunkie before he decided to make the product he was reviewing, instead of reviewing it. After a number of years on the product team for one of the largest outdoor brands, Nate is back doing what he loves: telling stories by means of splitboarding, climbing cracks, trail running, gardening, attempting to surf, and cooking around the campfire. You’ll find him scarfing down the best pizza in Denver (2x blind taste test champion) after his high- and low-octane pursuits in the mountains.

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The inner core began to decrease its speed around 2010, moving slower than the Earth’s surface. (USC Graphic/Edward Sotelo)

For millions of years, Earth has been on a cosmic spin cycle, but recent research reveals something surprising—our planet’s rotation isn’t as smooth as we once believed. In fact, Earth’s rotation has been slowing down in a unique staircase pattern, marking moments of sudden deceleration followed by long periods of stability. The discovery published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , flips our understanding of Earth’s rotational history on its head. So, why does this matter? How does this slow dance through time link to Earth’s past, and what could it mean for the future of our planet? Let’s dive in and uncover the secrets hidden in Earth’s cosmic rhythm.

The study, conducted by a team of geoscientists, reveals that Earth’s rotational deceleration hasn’t been a smooth process. Instead, it has followed a staircase pattern, with periods of slowdown followed by long periods of stability. This new understanding came from analyzing sediment samples dating back more than 650 million years, offering a geological timeline of Earth’s rotation.

This pattern suggests that Earth’s rotation has undergone phases of deceleration, which were later stabilized for millions of years. By examining eight geological datasets compiled over several decades, scientists found that Earth’s rotational history is recorded in the sediments and rock formations left behind through millennia. These sediments don’t just provide clues to our geographic history but also hold the key to Earth’s rotational past.

The discovery of this pattern challenges the long-held belief that Earth’s rotation has been slowing down at a constant rate due to tidal dissipation. Instead, the research shows that the deceleration occurred in distinct phases, providing a more nuanced view of how Earth’s rotation has evolved over time.

The Connection Between Rotational Changes and Major Environmental Events

One of the most intriguing findings of the study is the connection between Earth’s rotational changes and major environmental events. Researchers identified two notable periods of stability in Earth’s rotation that coincided with significant moments in Earth’s history. The first of these periods occurred during the Cambrian explosion, approximately 541 million years ago, when life on Earth underwent a dramatic increase in diversity. The second period aligns with the largest known mass extinction event, which wiped out approximately 90% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species.

These stable periods suggest a possible link between the planet’s rotation and its environmental conditions. Could Earth’s rotational changes have played a role in shaping the conditions that led to these dramatic biological shifts? While it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, the evidence presents a tantalizing possibility. The idea that changes in Earth’s rotation might influence global environmental conditions opens the door to new areas of research that could reshape our understanding of the planet’s past.

So, what exactly is causing Earth’s rotation to slow down? The primary factor is tidal dissipation, a process in which the gravitational forces between Earth, its oceans, and the moon cause energy to dissipate as heat. As the moon’s gravity pulls on Earth’s oceans, it creates tidal bulges, which in turn exert a backward torque on the planet’s rotation. This interaction gradually slows Earth’s spin.

The study confirmed that except for modern times, where human activities have disrupted Earth’s natural systems, the primary cause of Earth’s rotational deceleration has been tidal dissipation. Over the past 650 million years, this process has not only slowed Earth’s spin but also pushed the moon approximately 20,000 kilometers farther away from Earth. This distance shift has contributed to lengthening Earth’s days by about 2.2 hours over the studied period.

Implications of Earth’s Rotational Deceleration

One of the most noticeable effects is the lengthening of Earth’s days. Today, we experience 24-hour days, but millions of years ago, a day on Earth was shorter. As the planet continues to slow down, days will become incrementally longer—a change that, while imperceptible in our daily lives, has profound long-term consequences.

This deceleration also raises questions about how it might impact Earth’s future. Could the continued slowdown of Earth’s rotation influence the planet’s climate, ocean currents, or even tectonic activity? While these questions remain largely speculative, they underscore the importance of studying Earth’s rotational history to better anticipate future changes.

Furthermore, the study’s findings offer a glimpse into the delicate balance that governs our planet’s rotation. For billions of years, natural forces such as tidal dissipation have been driving Earth’s rotational evolution. However, in modern times, human activities—such as the construction of massive reservoirs, shifts in ocean currents due to climate change, and even glacial melting—have started to influence Earth’s rotation as well. Understanding the natural staircase pattern of Earth’s rotational deceleration provides a baseline for assessing how human actions are impacting this delicate balance.

Future Research: What’s Next for Earth’s Rotational Studies?

While this study has provided new insights into Earth’s rotational history, there are still many unanswered questions. The research team plans to continue investigating the potential links between changes in Earth’s rotation and significant environmental events. By expanding their study to include more recent geological records, they hope to better understand how fluctuations in Earth’s rotation have influenced major transitions in the planet’s climate and biodiversity.

Additionally, future research could explore the relationship between Earth’s rotational changes and the movement of tectonic plates, volcanic activity, and even magnetic field shifts. These factors may all play a role in the planet’s long-term evolution and could provide new clues about how Earth’s rotation influences global processes.

One key area of interest is how Earth’s rotational deceleration might impact the planet’s climate in the future. As the planet’s rotation continues to slow, even small changes in the length of days could affect weather patterns, ocean currents, and temperature distribution. Researchers are eager to explore these possibilities in greater depth, as understanding the relationship between Earth’s rotation and climate could offer valuable insights into how the planet might respond to ongoing environmental changes.

By studying the geological record, scientists are uncovering new insights into the forces that have shaped our planet over millions of years. These discoveries remind us that Earth is a dynamic system, constantly evolving and influenced by a complex interplay of forces both on the surface and in space.

As researchers continue to explore the connections between Earth’s rotational history and its environmental conditions, we may gain a deeper understanding of the planet’s past—and perhaps even better predict its future. The staircase pattern of Earth’s rotational deceleration is a key piece of this puzzle, offering new perspectives on how our planet has evolved and what lies ahead.

References:

He Huang et al., “Geological evidence reveals a staircase pattern in Earth’s rotational deceleration evolution,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317051121

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Crystal City

Movement offers more than an acre of climbing, yoga, and fitness to the active and creative community in Crystal City. This gym has more than 350 routes spread out on 35,000 square feet of climbing walls – ample space for every age and ability. We love helping new climbers learn and offer several introductory classes. In addition, we are a full-service gym with amenities like cardio equipment and weights, yoga studio, group fitness classes, expert instructors, and a fully-stocked gear shop.  We are just steps away from the Crystal City metro stop and part of  The Crystal City Shops , which is home to a compilation of contemporary restaurants, celebrated chefs and cool cafes – all perfect for après climb.  

• M-F 6 am-11 pm
• Sat 8 am-8 pm
• Sun 8 am-6 pm

All Holiday Hours

Upcoming Classes

Yoga: vinyasa - flow, book a tour.

Tour the Gym

Introduction to Rope Climbing

Introductory

Introduction to Bouldering (Class Full)

Yoga: rocket, member pricing.

• Passes + Rentals

members love

• Free Intro to Ropes or Bouldering climbing classes for you and your friends
• Unlimited yoga and fitness classes
• NEW  Get a $25 credit* when you rope a friend into becoming a member
• NEW  Free guest pass every month
• Two first-time guest passes per day
• Free member clinics and events
• 10% discount on gear and apparel in the Movement gear shop
• Discounts on climbing classes
• Nationwide access to  all Movement gyms 

*Annual members get 10 days added to their membership. Member referral credit limited to once per month.

Standard membership rates start at $112/month.

• Student memberships
• Individual memberships
• Family memberships
• Short-term memberships

Passes + Rental Gear

Student pass: $25 Day pass: $30 7-visit pass: $189

Rental Gear: Climbing Shoes $6, Harness $5, Chalk Bag $2, Package (all listed) $11.

first class free

• refer a friend

Looking to try something new? Our classes will help you discover a new passion and add a bit of variety and movement to your life.    

To enjoy your first class free ($30 value), use promo code  FIRSTCLASSFREE  when registering.   

• Learn how to climb with a free Introduction to Rope Climbing or Introduction to Bouldering class  
• Unleash your inner strength and flexibility in one of our Yin, Hatha, or Vinyasa yoga classes    
• Challenge yourself with one of our high-intensity fitness classes like Total Body Fitness, Strength, or Core Fit    

*Introduction to Technique, Introduction to Training, and yoga workshops are excluded  

get $25*, give $49

Hanging with your friends just got a little sweeter.

Monthly members get a $25* credit when you rope a friend into becoming a member. Or, if you’re an annual member, we’ll add 10 days to your membership. Your friend will also save $49 with a waived initiation fee, so it’s a win-win.

It’s simple—members, just share the link below with your friends.

*member referral credit limited to once per month

featured events

Member Appreciation Night

Join us for a special Member Appreciation Night of climbing! We’re keeping the gym open late for members only on August 25, from 6–8 pm.

give the gift of climbing

A no-fuss, thoughtful gift for every climber, yogi, or fitness buff in your life.  Cards can be purchased for any amount and used for classes, memberships, day passes, gear, you name it! Click on the button below to order a gift card, and don’t fret, gift cards can be used at any Movement location.

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Join us in sending good luck to two local legends, Aaron C. and Hannah O., as they compete in @thenorthface_climb Climb Festival this weekend! 🫶 Aaron and Hannah won our Global Climbing Day Open Qualifiers comp—each of them are absolute legends in the DMV climbing community and we’re stoked to see them take on the festival! If you don’t know them yet, here’s a little bit about each climber: Aaron @_thechanimal_: “I have been climbing for 10 years. I graduated from UMD with a major in biochemistry and currently work in radiation oncology research involving genetically engineered mice. Other than climbing and school, I am top 5% in Rocket League and I love my wife!” Hannah @hannah.ashlee: “I’m Hannah—a climber, thrill-seeker, and NICU nurse. I save tiny future crushers by day and chase wild adventures by night. My favorites? Headphone jams, nonstop shenanigans, and epic hangs in high places with the homies! Super stoked to compete and get wrecked at the Climb Festival NYC comp this week!” Drop your good luck messages in the comments 📩 go Hannah and Aaron! ...

big steppers 😤😤 we’ve seen other gyms take on the desk pistol squat challenge, and when @movementgymscolorado tagged us, we knew we’d rise to the occasion 😌 we hereby challenge @movementgowanus - show us what you got! 🚨 disclaimer: for the safety of our members, climbing on the front desk is prohibited. this stunt is performed by trained professionals. we appreciate your understanding. ...

climbing partners are for life 🥹 ...

That’s a wrap on Summer Smackdown 2024! 💙 HUGE thank you to all of our competitors, judges, team members, and spectators who made Finals (and all of Smackdown) such an incredible experience. Join us in congratulating our podium victors (see pinned comments for final standings)! Hype them up in the comments - they deserve it 👏 Special thank you to our sponsors @evolv_worldwide and @wildcountry_official! 📸 Photos by @elenakali ...

COMPETITIVE LEAD CLIMBING 🧗⬇️ Are you catching up on lead events on the world stage? Here’s what you need to know when watching competition lead climbing in the combined format: ⭐️ Each climber is trying to get as far as they can on the lead route. They have 6 minutes to do this. If they are still on the wall when time runs out, their attempt is over and they are scored for the last hold they reach before the time stops. ⭐️ The lead route in each round of competition is broken down into five sections, where each section differs based on the number of points a climber achieves for reaching each individual holds in that section. The higher the climber gets up the wall, the more each hold is worth. If they top the route, they receive 100 points. ⭐️ Competitors get 1 attempt per round of competition. Once the climber falls, that is their final score. Get the full story on comp lead climbing on our blog - link in bio! ...

SPEED CLIMBING ⏩⬇️ Speed climbing is one of the fastest sports out there - think of it like vertical sprinting. It’s a high stakes, high drama, exhilarating sport to watch, and knowing the basics of how speed climbing works makes it just that much more fun to spectate. Here’s what you need to know when watching speed: ⭐ The goal is simple: each competitor tries to get to the top of a standardized route as fast as they can. In qualifiers, each competitor has 2 runs - the fastest of the 2 is used to determine their ranking + seeding for finals. ⭐ Speed finals are done in a “knockout” format, where the winner from each race moves on to the next round until someone is crowned the champion. ⭐ If a competitor false starts (meaning they leave the ground before the official timer starts) or if the competitor falls on their run, they don’t get a second chance, so the pressure is high! Get the full story on competitive speed climbing on our blog, including insights from speed climber + Team Texas speed coach Merritt Ernsberger. Link in bio 🔗 Are you watching speed climbing? ...

COMPETITIVE BOULDERING 🥇⬇️ As the sport of climbing has its ✨moment✨ on the world stage, we’re breaking down the basics of what you need to know about each climbing discipline so you can fully enjoy the epic highs and lows of competitive climbing. Here’s what you need to know when watching competition bouldering: ⭐ Climbers get points per top (reaching the final hold) and the climber with the most tops wins. They have 4 minutes to finish. ⭐ There are two bonus holds called zones on each boulder that can give the climber partial points if they don’t top. Zones are used in tie-breaking situations. ⭐ Each time a climber gets on the wall is an attempt—whether they top out or not—and each attempt where they don’t top is included in their score. The least amount of attempts earns the best score. Now you’re equipped with some knowledge to cheer on your favorite athletes! Get more details about comp bouldering on our blog - link in bio 🔗 ...

Summer Smackdown Semi-Finals are in the books 🎉 Congratulations to the victors in the Novice and Intermediate categories, and good luck to those advancing to Finals this Saturday in the Advanced and Open categories! 🥳 Come spectate Finals at Crystal City and enjoy a glitched-out party with black lights, glow-in-the-dark body paint, neon everything and so much more 👽 Huge thank you to our athletes, our volunteer judges, and everyone who came out to cheer on our competitors! 📸 Photos by @r.h.george ...

🌍 Ready to experience the excitement of climbing competitions on the world stage?⁠ ⁠ As the global spotlight turns toward our favorite sport, there`s never been a better time to dive into the world of competitive climbing. Discover everything you need to know about the upcoming competitions!⁠ ⁠ Head to the link in our bio to read the blog and get all the details 🏅 ...

📍 ROCKVILLE Movement Rockville has more than 38,000 square feet of varied climbing terrain – just for some perspective, that’s the surface area of three Olympic-sized pools! This gym recently underwent major renovations, bringing upgrades to the facility including a climbing training area with best-in-class equipment, expanded fitness room with new and upgraded equipment, modernized yoga room and locker rooms, and more. If you ask us, the community at this gym is the best feature of all—there’s no party like a Rockville party, and there’s always something exciting on the calendar for members to enjoy. Check us out at ⬇️ 📍 725 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 #movementgymsdmv ...

brat summer and it’s the same but it’s climbing so it’s not 🍏 ...

meow-mories from kitten yoga in Hampden last month 🐈‍⬛ we hosted kitten yoga with @mdspca - visit their website to learn about how you can get involved with volunteer and adoption opportunities! watch to the end for a cute surprise 🐱 ...

HAPPY GLOBAL CLIMBING DAY 🌎 The biggest THANK YOU to everyone who came out and celebrated Global Climbing Day with us and @thenorthface_climb this weekend!! We had the best time, and loved getting to share one of our favorite holidays with you 💙 There were intro classes, vendor pop ups, DJs, pro athletes @pfaff_anna and @crushing_benjamin, a whole COMP, and most importantly - climbing 🫶 Huge congratulations to our Open category winners @_thechanimal_ and @hannah.ashlee who will compete in the Climb Festival NYC next month! See you next year! p.s. check out the event photo album at the link in our bio #GlobalClimbingDay ...

psssst…. have ya heard?? we have a (new!) summer membership sale! 👀 get 30% off individual memberships from now through August 31 plus $0 initiation fee! that means unlimited climbing, yoga, and fitness at all Movement gyms, guest passes, discounts on gear, and more 💥 head to the link in bio to sign up today ☀️🔗 ...

it’s Christmas in July—wait no, it’s our Smackdown prizes 🎁🔥 The last week of Smackdown comp sets is upon us, and semi-finals + finals are right around the corner! Top competitors from all five gyms in the region will compete to win ultimate glory and so many sweet prizes (pictured above) from our friends @evolv_worldwide and @wildcountry_official 🤙 Sign up now to compete for alllllll this swag at the link in our bio! ...

life lately at #movementgymsdmv 🫶 we love seeing your photos + sends! keep tagging us for a chance to be featured right here on the ‘gram 💫 ...

climbing for free? say less 😎 Looking for things to do in the DMV this weekend? We’re teaming up with @thenorthface_climb to offer FREE climbing + FREE rental gear all day long at ALL Movement locations for Global Climbing Day on Saturday, July 13!⁠ ⁠ At Movement Columbia, we’re also hosting Open Qualifier and Citizens Competitions for the Climb Festival NYC! We’ll be joined by pro climbers Anna Pfaff and Ben Mayforth. ⁠ No reservations or bookings necessary for free access, just stop by the gym! We highly recommend filling out your waiver before your visit to save time at check-in. ⁠ Link in bio to learn more about our free climbing day + register for the comp 🔗 ...

pov: your gym has a unicorn mascot 🦄 If you went to Movement Crystal City’s birthday bash last weekend and asked yourself, “why the unicorn?” the answer is just that—a unicorn has been the Crystal City gym mascot for years! Thank you to all of the community partners, members, and guests who joined us in celebrating Crystal City’s 8th birthday! 🎈 ...

Pro climbers are coming to our neighborhood! ⬇️ For Global Climbing Day, we’ll be joined at Movement Columbia by @thenorthface_climb pro climbers @pfaff_anna and @crushing_benjamin on Saturday, July 13! Anna Pfaff is an alpinist, expedition climber, and trauma nurse from Ohio who has climbed in some of the most remote alpine terrain in the world, completing over 20 expeditions around the globe with multiple new routes and first ascents. Ben Mayforth is a two-time World Cup Paraclimbing champion from Maryland. His story of overcoming staggering physical disabilities through resilience and determination has inspired thousands worldwide. Follow Anna and Ben and get stoked for their visit! Don’t forget, we’re also hosting Open Qualifier and Citizens Comps for the Climb Festival NYC and offering FREE climbing + rental gear at all Movement locations on Global Climbing Day! Tap the link in our bio to learn more + sign up 🔗 ...

Portraits from Pride: An Intersectional Celebration 🌈 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Rockville block party in celebration of Pride Month! Our 2024 Intersectional Celebration supported @stonewallclimb, an intersectional LGBTQIA2S+ climbing community, founded and curated by neurodivergent, queer, non-binary people of color. Extra special thank you to @thebaphomette for their incredible performance! ✨ ...

Meet our partners

We partner with organizations that help bring down social and physical barriers to climbing and who are committed to preserving and protecting the planet.

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We’d love to hear from you if you have questions, comments, or ideas.