Momentum Indoor Climbing
Houston and San Antonio, Texas
Specs: Momentum Indoor Climbing opened its first gym in 2007 in Sandy, Utah, and now operates a total of twelve open or planned facilities, which are owned by several shareholders in Utah and Texas and its primary shareholder, Bulgaria-based Walltopia. The business currently runs seven open gyms in the U.S.—four in Utah, two in Texas, one in Washington—as well as one in Sofia, Bulgaria, and four more gym projects are underway, in Houston (Texas), San Antonio (Texas), Trolley Square (Utah) and Plovdiv (Bulgaria). According to Anthony Hedberg, Marketing Manager at Momentum Climbing, the business has been on the lookout for new locations and is excited to be expanding its footprint in South Texas. “Our mission has always been to bring climbing to new communities around the world and introduce people to the amazing sport of climbing,” Hedberg said.
The targeted opening date for the new Houston location—Momentum Memorial City—is Winter 2025/2026. The Momentum team is in the process of revitalizing an existing building with 36,000 square feet of floor space, building climbing walls that reach 14 feet. Once finished, the new gym will serve as a midpoint between Momentum’s Katy and Silver Street gyms in Houston, shortening the travel time for Memorial City residents and I-10 commuters. “The Houston community has a unique energy and passion that makes it a great fit for Momentum,” Hedberg said. “We’re excited to introduce climbing to even more people, especially those who haven’t yet experienced the sport. This new bouldering gym will help expand the community, with plans for more rope climbing locations in the future.” The completed gym will feature a dedicated fitness area, an enclosed cardio room, yoga offerings, youth programs, birthday parties and climbing classes. “We are exploring additional locker room amenities, training boards, and expanded class offerings. We are also introducing new climbing wall technology,” Hedberg hinted, mentioning an app-based integration of a full LED lighting system across the gym’s climbing surfaces. Hedberg said this feature should allow climbers to choose from a database of preset routes and help climbers “to connect in a more interactive and customizable experience.”
The San Antonio location is also expected to open in the 2025/2026 Winter. The new gym will be constructed in an existing warehouse adjacent to a pickleball facility, “in the heart of downtown San Antonio,” Hedberg said. Hedberg described San Antonio as a “vibrant city with rich history and culture,” in which the Momentum team is “excited to offer an elevated climbing experience that caters to all ages and abilities, fostering inclusivity and a love for climbing and fitness.” Amenities are still being finalized, but climbers can expect boulders reaching 15 feet, roped climbing walls, and other training offerings. Originally, both locations were to be bouldering gyms, but after incorporating customer feedback, the San Antonio location underwent a last-minute design change to offer a top rope and lead climbing area in the gym. “We want to provide the community with some rope climbing options as we continue to pursue another location for a full-service rope gym in San Antonio,” Hedberg explained.
Hedberg noted that opening a climbing gym in 2025 can present unique challenges, “particularly when it comes to finding the right space.” The specific height and space requirements for walls can make securing a location difficult, “especially if you don’t have the option for ground-up construction,” he said. For operators in a similar situation, he recommended thinking outside the box. “Instead of limiting yourself to traditional retail spaces, consider unconventional properties like uniquely shaped buildings, industrial warehouses, former storage facilities, or even barns. These types of spaces often offer clear heights and open floor plans that are ideal for climbing gyms,” he shared. Repurposing existing structures in some cases can reduce construction costs while also providing opportunities for creative design, which Hedberg said can help differentiate a new gym from existing ones. “By embracing unconventional spaces, you can create a gym that stands out, both in terms of functionality and character. Ultimately, the key is to be flexible and imaginative with your site selection—what may seem like a challenging space can often lead to the most rewarding and distinctive climbing gym experiences,” he said.
Hedberg also encouraged gym operators to dream big when looking to expand and approach expansion with a strategic mindset. “If you’re looking to grow, expanding within your existing region can be a great starting point. You already have the support structure in place—experienced managers, staff, and a local brand awareness—so scaling within familiar territory can be more efficient and lower risk,” he said. Hedberg acknowledged that expanding into new regions can sometimes require more careful planning and a longer timeline. “It comes with a higher level of risk, as it involves building brand recognition, adapting to different market dynamics, and ensuring you have the right leadership in place to maintain your gym’s culture and standards,” Hedberg added. “While it can be a great opportunity for growth, it’s important to fully assess the logistics, market potential, and resources required before making the leap.”
Walls: Walltopia
Flooring: Walltopia
CRM Software: Rock Gym Pro
Website: momentumclimbing.com
Instagram: @MomentumClimbingTexas
In Their Words: “Momentum isn’t just a climbing gym; it’s a community where climbers come together, train, and build lasting relationships. We’ve built a strong reputation within the climbing community for the quality of our wall design, routesetting, and customer experience. We’re also on the cutting edge of innovation—our interactive climbing wall LED systems (recently implemented at Momentum Fort Union) are a prime example of how we’re enhancing the user experience.” – Anthony Hedberg, Marketing Manager at Momentum Indoor Climbing
