This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
Climbing gyms might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about senior fitness, but Climb Nittany in Boalsburg is out to change that way of thinking.
Climb Nittany’s new “Classic Rockers” program invites older adults to step outside their comfort zones, conquer fears and rediscover both physical strength and emotional strength, one hold at a time.
“We think climbing is the greatest sport in the world,” said Mardi Roberts, CEO of Climb Nittany. “It really is great for all ages, and we just wanted to serve as many people as we can. A lot of older adults think, ‘I’m not strong enough’ or ‘this isn’t for my age group,’ and we wanted to bust that myth a little bit.”
The five-week program, designed specifically for older adults, takes place during closed gym hours, giving participants a quiet, private environment to learn the ropes, literally. In the final week, they’ll join regular gym hours to meet the wider climbing community once they’ve built confidence.
“It’s common for people to feel intimidated walking into a new place,” Roberts said. “We want to create an environment where they feel comfortable and not worried about whether they belong. Then, once they’ve learned the basics, they’ll see there are actually quite a few older climbers in our community.”
The idea for Classic Rockers came from occupational therapist and lifelong climber Jenny Rank, who works at Penn State’s Center of Geriatric Excellence. Rank had long dreamed of merging her two passions of working with older adults and climbing.
Rank’s experience in senior care has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum, which focuses on technique, safety and confidence-building rather than raw strength. Participants learn knot-tying, belaying, equipment use and body awareness, with an emphasis on empowerment and community connection.
Roberts said the pace is intentionally slower and more personalized. “Sometimes it’s as simple as allowing more time to learn a skill or spending extra time warming up,” she said. “It’s about meeting people where they are.”
Beyond fitness, the program aims to tackle something less visible: social isolation. “As people get older, it can be harder to find social opportunities,” Roberts said. “This is a way to build community through movement, and to remind people that it’s never too late to try something new.”
As the program grows, Roberts hopes participants will one day become mentors themselves. “Climbing culture is very much about teaching and mentoring,” she said. “Eventually, those who start in Classic Rockers can welcome new climbers and help them grow.”
Classic Rockers is open to all older adults, no experience required. Registration and class details are available at 5.life/climbnittany or by phone at 814-308-0230.
