Posts Tagged ‘Climbing Techniques’

Lead climbing mini course, week 2 – clipping quickdraws

Here’s week 2 of our lead climbing mini course. This week we’ll be showing the right and wrong way to clip a quick-draw.

Lead climbing mini course, week 1 – Flaking out your rope

For those of you who are new to lead climbing, we’re going to be providing a mini video course. Each week we’ll show you a new technique. The first week is ‘how to flake out your rope’.

Is rock climbing giving you back and neck pain?

Climbing demands a lot of your body and your mind. The mental exertion can be felt as stress in your shoulders and up into your neck.

This article deals with techniques to prevent rock climbing injuries, and how to deal with them if they occur.

Try Slacklining to improve your balance, coordination and core strength for rock climbing

I recently heard it stated ‘If I had the spare time to slackline I would be out climbing’ which I guess is a fair point but don’t let this deter you from trying it. Not only does slacklining improve balance, coordination and core strength (all transferable skills for rock climbing), its really great fun too!

Climbing book review: 9 out of 10 climbers make the same mistakes by Dave Macloed

The first thing I did when I finished reading this book was turn back to page one and start reading it again – it really is that good!

In this truly inspirational climbing book, Dave MacLoed embarks on a step by step mission to destroy every excuse that stands between you and your success as a rock climber (or if you think laterally, between you and success in your job, or any other sport).

Rock climbing training – Toughening and repairing your fingers part 2

Already done the damage? Here is my top tips on repairing your fingers from climbing session induced carnage…

SMART Climbing

The other day I gave a talk to a group of business people about how climbing could help their business. Not surprisingly they were a little skeptical at first, especially after I showed them the intro to the Progression DVD – What could this have to do with them?

So what strategies do climbers employ?

Climbing techniques – Is it OK to use a top rope on poorly protected trad routes to push your grade?

As regular readers of my blog will know, I have been writing a series on climbing techniques, focusing particularly on climbing improvement. This has involved a good deal of research and learning from climbers far more experienced than I.

Climbing books reviews: Rock Climbing Essential Skills and Techniques (Mountain Leader Training UK)

The cover describes this book as being the official handbook of the Mountaineering Instructor and Single Pitch Award schemes. I would go as far as calling it “The Rock Climbers Bible!” I’m not the only one either, I heard it described as such by other climbers at the Single Pitch Award training I attended a couple of weeks ago.

Climbing techniques – weight loss programme

A couple of weeks ago I told you about my halt in progress in my climbing improvement plan. I explained that I have gained weight, and although much of it is muscle weight it is putting extra stress on my fingers (which is impairing my performance, especially on overhanging routes).

I’m into my third week of a body composition workout, designed to cut weight while maintaining lean muscle mass. I said I would share the workout with you, so as promised here it is…