| When most climbers hear about "training for rock | | | | automatically improve your finger strength. |
| climbing," they look for a quick way to escape. | | | | Also, if you had weak finger strength start to add |
| Honestly I do not know if it is laziness or what, but | | | | fingerboard training to the end of your climbing |
| for too many years, climbers have said that all you | | | | session. These fingerboard sessions will also allow you |
| need to do to become a better rock climber is go | | | | to focus on your weaknesses by isolating different |
| rock climbing. We have been bombarded by other | | | | types of hand holds like crimpers, slopers, pockets, |
| climbers with this idea and most have been left with | | | | monos etc. |
| disappointment and frustration. | | | | Note: Make sure you always warm up your fingers |
| Did the ones telling you just go rock climbing and you | | | | and arms before fingerboard workouts. If you are |
| will get better climb the grades you want to climb? If | | | | not warmed up you can fairly easily hurt yourself. |
| so, are they even telling you the truth? Most likely | | | | That is why I like to do my fingerboard training |
| they are not. You see they have best intentions but | | | | sessions after my climbing. |
| honestly a great training plan can be the difference | | | | Just so you know training for climbing is not easy it |
| between success and failure for you. I know that | | | | will get hard. You need to stay motivated and one of |
| might surprise but stay with me here and I'll explain. | | | | the best ways to do that is climb and train with |
| So first does training for climbing work? Yes, and | | | | other motivated people. They can keep you psyched |
| there are many great training techniques that you | | | | and help keep you accountable for your training. |
| can use to help achieve success and improvement. | | | | It is important to stay up to date on new training |
| The first tip -- and the one most people get wrong -- | | | | techniques and ideas. Experts are always devising |
| is to assume that all you have to do is rock climb and | | | | new and better ways of training that can help you |
| you will get better, this is not the case. Thinking this | | | | become stronger faster. It is important to read up on |
| way will waste a lot of time and effort while you | | | | these things and buy training for climbing books when |
| continue to be frustrated and weak. You need to | | | | you can. This will save you tons of time and |
| think of what your weaknesses are and focus your | | | | frustration, trust me I know. |
| time on improving them. | | | | Please don't be a stranger either. Start participating in |
| When trying to become a better rock climber you | | | | discussion forums, ask questions to climbing experts |
| must focus your time on building up your | | | | and talk with your local climbers either at the gym or |
| weaknesses. Focus your attention on those things | | | | the crag. Be sure to not only ask for help but also |
| that you are not that good at and forget the rest, | | | | give advice to other climbers when you can. |
| at least for now. This is a simple and easy question | | | | Look for every sport out there people are training |
| just ask yourself What do you need to improve? Is | | | | and people are training hard. Just think about a |
| it your technique, finger strength, your core strength, | | | | football player does not become a better and |
| your endurance, your power, your flexibility, your | | | | stronger football player by just playing football. Yea it |
| mental toughness, your overall fitness? | | | | helps but that is not all he does. We all know that |
| What is it that is holding you back? | | | | and believe that. So if that is the case why would |
| Begin to focus your efforts on improving these areas | | | | you think that to become a better rock climber all |
| and you are bound to see results that is a guarantee. | | | | you have to do is rock climb? That just does not |
| For example say your finger strength is weak. You | | | | make sense. I hope this is making sense. |
| can begin by adding some bouldering to your climbing | | | | So next time you wonder: Does training for rock |
| routine. Bouldering is good because it forces you to | | | | climbing work? You will know the answer is yes. Stay |
| do powerful moves and typically has more difficult | | | | consistent, have the drive and desire to improve and |
| individual moves than sport or trad routes do. That | | | | use the right training techniques, and you may find |
| means you will be working with holds that can be | | | | yourself exactly where you want to be. |
| more challenging to hold and in effect you will | | | | |