On August 2, 2025, Gravity Bear, a bouldering-focused gym, officially opened its doors in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founder Parker Simms described the venture as a “perfect timing” moment between himself and the local climbing community. After serving 11 years in the military, Simms relocated to Tulsa in 2021 to be closer to his children. Transitioning to a software engineering role left him feeling unfulfilled, as he sought a greater purpose and something meaningful to contribute to his new community.
As a climber with over 20 years of experience, Simms initially sought out local climbing gyms but found a lack of facilities that suited his preferences, particularly bouldering areas that weren’t overcrowded. In early 2023, the idea of opening his own bouldering gym started to emerge, coupled with a coffee shop concept, as he recognized the synergy between climbing and coffee culture. “I didn’t know what I was doing at all,” he admitted, but his passion fueled his desire to learn about business planning, commercial real estate, and financing.
Simms immediately felt a connection to the space he eventually chose for Gravity Bear. “Even though it was an architecture firm filled with offices, I could envision what it could become,” he recalled. From the outset, the vision was for a bouldering gym, both because it aligned with his interests and because it was a more cost-effective option in terms of construction and insurance. Additionally, the absence of other bouldering-only gyms in Tulsa allowed him to target a downtown location, leveraging the revitalization efforts in the area.
Located in a renovated building over a century old, Gravity Bear is surrounded by restaurants, breweries, and shops, making it an accessible hub for climbers and the community. The proximity of numerous highways facilitates easy commuting, ensuring that the gym is convenient for potential members.
Simms emphasized that his journey was entirely self-driven, stating, “I did not come from money; everything was generated from my own efforts.” While balancing his full-time job as a software engineer, he dedicated his free time to developing the gym, understanding that success doesn’t come overnight.
Initially, Simms sought a larger space for Gravity Bear but realized that the costs of bigger properties and extensive renovations could be prohibitive. As he continued his search, he shifted toward a smaller location—7,568 square feet—that matched his vision without overwhelming financial burdens. Gravity Bear offers 3,200 square feet of climbing surface, including 15-foot bouldering walls, a Tension Board 2, a spray board, hangboards, and campus boards. Complementing the climbing space, the gym features a retail area, fitness equipment, and a café serving a range of snacks and espresso drinks for both climbers and passersby. Gravity Bear not only fills a niche in the Tulsa climbing scene but also aims to foster a vibrant community for climbers and enthusiasts alike.
