The H.I.T. System is comprised of 5 H.I.T. Strips and 4 pairs of H.I.T. Pinches.
Use an overhanging bouldering wall of 3/4-inch plywood at an angle of 45 to 55 degrees past vertical. HIT workouts on a 55-degree (past vertical) wall are significantly harder than the common 45-degree wall. If you are building a wall for HIT workouts, I advise a compromised angle of 50 degrees (with an 16- to 24-inch “kicker board”), since I have optimized the HIT Strip design for use on walls of this angle. Walls that overhang less than 45 degrees are not suggested for HIT workouts, since the holds will be too incut and the amount of weight added may become excessive). Walls beyond 55 degrees past vert should not be used for HIT workouts, because the hand holds will be too slopey and slippery to use with weight added.
Mounting the H.I.T. Strips and Pinches
Sitting on the floor under the wall, mount the first HIT Strip at top-of-head height (on my wall the bottom of the first HIT Strip is 38 inches up the wall from the kicker board). Mount four more strips at 18-inch intervals (or slightly less if you have a shorter wall). Two pinch holds are positioned above the first HIT Strip at shoulder width. The remaining pinch holds are mounted above the remaining HIT Strips at similar intervals. Scatter a variety of small- to medium-sized foot holds between each strip and at least one foot either side of the HIT Strips.
If you don’t own a Nicros H.I.T. System, you can rig a similar setup using groups of identical modular holds. Of course, you’ll need 10 identical two finger pocket holds, 10 identical crimp holds, 5 identical open-hand buckets, and 8 identical pinch holds that are all “usable” on a 50-degree overhanging wall. If you don’t have these holds it may cost you as much or more than the complete HIT System. Furthermore, use of the actual HIT Strips will help maintain your focus on the goal of using only the specific grip being trained, whereas using modular holds tends to encourage a “break” from the training sequence as you fatigue. That is, you’ll naturally start grabbing holds other than the grip being trained and, thus, dilute the targeted nature of the HIT workout.
Yes, Nicros’ HIT System is a significant investment roughly equal in cost to purchasing a rope. Unlike the rope, however, HIT will empower you to climb harder AND last for many years of training fun! Read the HIT Testimonials if you are on the fence as to whether or not The HIT System is for you.
Note that the HIT Strip System is available in a 4-Strip set and a 5-Strip “Classic” set . The 5-Strip “HIT Classic” is ideal for anyone with a wall (ceiling) height of 7-feet, 6-inches or greater. Shorter walls will allow only for installation of 4 Strips and 6 pinches.
