NatNews

Rock climbing is a popular form of adventure and exercise, and indoor climbing gyms have allowed it to become a safe and more realistic option for many individuals.

It turns out that it is also rather beneficial to a person in more ways than one—not only does it improve strength and serve as a full-body exercise, but it also helps increase one’s VO2 max (a measure of how much oxygen your body consumes while exercising; higher VO2 max indicates better physical fitness and is associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease).

It’s not uncommon for some people to unexpectedly discover they love climbing and those benefits above. Dallas resident Virginia Altick began bouldering at the beginning of 2012 at a gym called Dallas Rocks that offered discounted day passes for women on Fridays.

“After a few weeks, I found that I was passionate about getting better, so I started to go more than once a week,” she said. “I eventually bought my own climbing shoes and a membership to the gym, which at some point changed to Summit (now Movement). I entered a few bouldering competitions at the gym that year, which was very exciting.”

Altick said that same year, she eventually joined a class in which she learned about ropes climbing, which led to her training and climbing all throughout the U.S. with that group for the next five years.

“One of the things I enjoyed the most about climbing was the travel,” she said. “Some of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen have been due to climbing trips.”

Dallas-area resident Ajay Teegavarapu said he began climbing between 10 and 11 years ago and used to climb three to five times a week, but once he started running, that frequency became two or three times each week. However, if he’s training for a marathon, he usually climbs once or twice on a weekly basis.

“There are so many things I like about climbing,” he said. “I truly enjoy the camaraderie, puzzle solving, and testing and pushing your mental and physical abilities—which are almost similar to running. I also enjoy getting to travel to places to climb.”

While climbing gyms offer convenience, Teegavarapu said there are plenty of outdoor adventures in which he’s participated that have allowed him to climb in some memorable and scenic settings.

“There are tons of places, honestly, but if I have to choose a few, I would say Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Smith Rock in Oregon, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Arkansas, too many to name in Colorado, Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and Diablo Canyon in New Mexico,” he said.

Because not everyone can or wants to climb outdoors without mats beneath them, and there aren’t many outdoor places to climb in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, climbing gyms are helpful alternatives. One such option is Movement, previously mentioned by Altick, which has several locations throughout the nation, including six in the metroplex. Rachel Osborne, assistant marketing manager for DFW, said climbing is an effective way to stimulate both the mind and body at once.

“Climbing offers a rare combination of benefits that work together beautifully,” she said. “Physically, it’s a full-body workout that builds strength, flexibility, and balance without feeling like traditional exercise. You’ll engage muscles you didn’t know you had. Mentally, climbing is like solving puzzles with your body—each route presents a unique challenge that requires focus, problem solving, and mindfulness. This mental engagement creates a form of moving meditation in which daily stresses fade away as you concentrate on the wall.”

But what Osborne said she likely enjoys most about climbing, particularly at a climbing gym, is the social aspect.

“Unlike many fitness activities in which everyone’s in their own world with headphones on, climbing naturally creates community,” she said. “You’ll find yourself sharing beta (climbing tips) with strangers, celebrating each other’s sends, and building friendships through shared experiences. I like to think of our gyms as a community center in a way—they’re social hubs where people connect over a common passion, regardless of experience level or background.”

Osborne said some people consider climbing as their form of therapy, and she understands why. As a climber herself for more than a decade, she knows that this form of physical activity has made her much more confident in herself and has also transformed her relationship with failure.

“In climbing, falling isn’t just acceptable—it’s expected and even celebrated as part of the learning process,” she said. “There’s something incredibly liberating about trying something difficult, falling repeatedly, and finally succeeding. That moment when you finally stick a move you’ve been working on for weeks? Pure magic.”

Teegavarapu also recognizes the positive impact climbing has made on his life and likens it to what he and many others have experienced through running.

“Just like someone training their heart out to get into the Boston Marathon or achieve some time in running, climbers have goals to complete grades or routes,” he said. “It could take weeks, months, or even years sometimes. Physically, climbing definitely builds endurance and strength. Mentally, it builds resilience and makes you think differently. Each route can be climbed uniquely by different climbers. The social aspect of hanging out with friends, catching up in local climbing gyms, and traveling together to new and old places is also always fun.”

Although she does not climb as often as she used to, like Osborne and Teegavarapu, Altick also appreciates the advantages (e.g., hand, forearm, and upper-body strength and specific muscle awareness) she has seen as a result of being part of the climbing community.

“A few additional benefits are friendships, confidence through breathing through fear, and improved interpersonal communication through cues with your belay partner,” she said.

For individuals who have never climbed before or don’t do so often but are looking for new activities or ways to meet people, Osborne said climbing is an enjoyable option and a great way to unwind after a long day at work and build upon one’s community.

“Folks show up to the gym all the time alone and walk out with new friends—and you’re getting your daily workout in at the same time,” she said. “It’s competitive if you want it to be (climbing is an Olympic sport, and the term ‘pro climber’ does, in fact, exist), but it’s mostly you competing with yourself to keep getting better.”

Osborne said climbing is truly for everyone, regardless of age, size, background, ability, etc.

“Something that I think is particularly special about climbing is that it is such a supportive environment,” she said. “Seasoned climbers are always cheering on newer climbers because, at the end of the day, if you are watching someone try their hardest at something, you can’t help but respect that.”

Movement offers free intro classes (Intro to Bouldering and Intro to Rope Climbing, depending on which location you visit) at all of its gyms. Those interested can sign up here. Osborne encourages individuals who might be hesitant to try something new not to get caught up in comparing themselves to others.

“In climbing, the only meaningful comparison is between who you are today and who you were yesterday,” she said. “Focus on your personal progress, and I promise you’ll find joy in the journey. If you’ve never tried it before, give it a go—you might just find your new favorite hobby.”

Technically, a couch and a sofa are two different things—couches are more casual and typically don’t have armrests, whereas sofas are more formal and do have armrests.

There are some issues that spark more passion in people than one might initially presume.

Cue the Oreo debate.

According to NatNews exclusive research, a recent study indicated that, of the dear readers who participated, 43 percent prefer regular Oreos, 40 percent opt for Double-Stuf Oreos, 11 percent reach for Golden Oreos or another flavor, and 6 percent would rather not eat any kind of Oreo at all. Dallas resident Craig Borkenhagen is one of the individuals who is convinced that the thicker layer of creme in the middle creates a superior product.

“I prefer to eat Double-Stuf Oreos because I think the filling-to-cookie ratio is better,” he said. “But I suppose I’ll accept regular ones, too.”

To Borkenhagen’s surprise, though, a significant amount of people disagree and would rather eat the original cookie with the standard amount of filling. Dallas-area resident Olivia Wetzel said traditional Oreos have always been a top contender for her when it comes to store-bought cookies, largely because of the fond memories they bring to mind.

“I think a big part of Oreo’s success has been its marketing,” she said. “When you walk down the cookie aisle at the grocery store, the blue packaging catches your eye and is a classic. I remember Oreo commercials as a kid, specifically the Christmas one from the 90s. A little boy named Alex sneaks downstairs and leaves cookies (Oreos) out for Santa. Spoiler: He falls asleep and misses Santa, but Santa leaves him a note thanking him. Santa even dunks his Oreos in milk. Oreos have some kind of connection to nostalgia, and I must say, well played, Nabisco.”

Not everyone likes or prefers the chocolate wafers sandwiching the creme, though. Cincinnati resident Ethan Celuch said he typically eats the Golden Oreos for a variety of reasons, including because his wife, Paige, loves regular Oreos.

“The vanilla flavor is good, and they don’t make a huge chocolatey mess in my teeth,” he said. “Plus, they’re not stolen from me while I’m not at the house.”

However, Celuch said he would still be willing to eat the regular or double-stuffed cookies if his go-to choice was not available.

“I’m not married to Golden Oreos,” he said. “It’s more of a help-Paige-save-herself-from-herself thing.”

Borkenhagen, on the other hand, said he would not reach for regular Oreos at the grocery store if the double-stuffed cookies were not there, mainly because he doesn’t often purchase any form of Oreos for himself.

“They’re clearly junk food, so if I’m craving them, I’m not going to settle for junk food that I don’t even prefer,” he said.

Like Borkenhagen, Wetzel said she doesn’t buy Oreos on a regular basis, which would impact her decision on whether or not to stray from what she likes best.

“If I were specifically looking for regular Oreos, I don’t know if I would purchase another kind or something else in its place,” she said. “However, I have tried some different kinds, and they are good.”

Over the years, Oreo has come out with quite a few flavor varieties, some of which have made cookie lovers more skeptical than those that might be considered a bit more common (watermelon, candy corn, Coca-Cola, and Peeps flavors might ring some bells). Wetzel said she believes that it is “fun and interesting” that Oreo experiments with different variations of its classic cookie.

“Birthday Cake Oreos and Red Velvet Oreos did taste like the cakes they were inspired by,” she said. “But when I think Oreo, I think of the classic iconic cookie. However, even though I mentioned the 90s Christmas commercial earlier, if you know me, I am the pumpkin queen, and Halloween is my favorite holiday. The Halloween Oreos are a must for spooky season. They usually have different Halloween icons, like jack-o-lanterns and skeletons, on the cookie, and the frosting is orange—not orange-flavored, just bright orange. I must admit, when I see them hit stores in the fall, it makes my spooky little heart happy!”

Not everyone is on board with the flavor varieties, though. Celuch said he was not even aware that some of them exist (or existed at some point, as many of them did not last).

“Candy corn and watermelon sound questionable at best,” he said.

Borkenhagen is also of the mindset that Oreos should not stray too far toward outlandish new cookie ideas and said such flavors are “all trash.”

“I’ve only ever had the orange-flavored and the mint ones, and they both weren’t good,” he said. “All of these other ones that have come out are even less appealing. I have no idea why they thought bringing in some other flavor was ever a good idea. Don’t mess with what works.”

But Borkenhagen wouldn’t judge a person based on his or her Oreo choice and said one’s personal cookie biases have nothing to do with that individual’s overall personality or character.

“It’s simply a preference of a type of sweet—nothing more, nothing less,” he said. “It’s like that question of ‘if you were a cereal, what type would you be, and why?’ It’s fun but rather silly and doesn’t actually say anything about the person.”

Celuch, however, said he believes that one’s Oreo purchase can actually give you an idea about that person’s level of honesty with himself or herself.

“I think if the person exclusively buys the super thin Oreos, the diet kind, they’re lying to themselves and are too self-conscious of what others think of their calorie intake,” he said. “Just buy the double-stuffed ones and be happy.”

Wetzel isn’t quite sure that she’s convinced Oreo preferences reveal much about an individual’s personality, but she is slightly intrigued by such a notion.

“As a school counselor and psychology nerd, if we are truly looking at identifying pieces of someone’s personality, putting together some type of rubric dissecting personality traits based off of Oreo cookies would take a lot of time and research to be deemed truly valid,” she said. “What can I say, I love me some peer-reviewed, ethically sound research. Some dunk cookies in milk; I dunk and double-check evidence and facts. However, I also believe science and whimsy can live side by side, so an Oreo personality quiz would be fun to take while reading a Cosmopolitan magazine or could also be a fun ice breaker, but I would not take it to heart.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Some of the NatNews staff and some dear readers recently cheered their hearts out for the triathletes at IRONMAN Texas

Monday, April 28: Stars vs. Avalanche (Game 5) at the American Airlines Center
Tuesday, April 29: Dallas Pickleball Play & Mixer at At Fault; Free Rooftop Movie — Scream at Sundown at Granada; Tyler Hilton at Legacy Hall
Wednesday, April 30: Rangers vs. A’s at Globe Life Field; The 101 to Building Your Own Cocktail Garden at 101Media HQ
Thursday, May 1: Cool Thursdays Concerts Series — Definitely Maybe Oasis | Oasis Tribute Band at the Dallas Arboretum; Frisco RoughRiders vs. Wichita Wind Surge at Riders Field
Friday, May 2: Lone Star Smokeout at AT&T Stadium (goes through Sunday)
Saturday, May 3: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; Cinco de Mayo Block Party at Uno Mas Tex-Mex Cantina; Kentucky Derby Day at Lone Star Park
Sunday, May 4: DMA Free First Sundays — Access for All at the Dallas Museum of Art; PicklePaw Classic at Chicken N Pickle (Grapevine)