Linked below are several training programs that I’m making available for free download (for personal use only) to readers of my two new books, Training for Climbing (3rd edition) and The Rock Climber’s Exercise Guide. These programs are supplements to the material presented in these books—please read the books for detailed instruction on proper exercise execution and use, injury prevention, highly specific coaching of climbing technique and mental skills (hugely important!), a study of the physiology of climbing (and the secrets to training most effectively), exercise nutrition, and much more.
The programs will download as Excel spreadsheets, which you are welcome to modify and build-out to fit your personal needs and time available for training. I’d appreciate your sharing back with me how you’ve used and modified these programs to work best for you—I enjoy hearing success stories as well!
Happy training! –Eric Hörst
Beginner’s Training Program
Experience/Ability: <1 year experience, <5.11 TR & < V4 boulder
Program overview: Learn climbing skills, refine technique, develop mental skills and manage fear, improve body composition & general conditioning, increase climbing-specific strength & endurance, develop important stabilizer and antagonist-muscle strength.
Time commitment: 1 – 2.5 hours, 2 to 5 days per week (including climbing days)
Download program >> (Please read Terms of Use)
Intermediate Training Program
Experience/Ability: 5.11a – 5.13a redpoint & V4-V8 bouldering
Program overview: Increase maximum strength & power and limit bouldering ability, increase strength/power-endurance, improve stamina, aerobic endurance and recovery ability, increase important rotator cuff strength, stabilizer and antagonist muscle strength, refine mental and technical skills.
Time commitment: 1.5 – 4 hours, 3 to 6 days per week (including climbing days)
Download program >> (Please read Terms of Use)
Advance Training Program
Experience/Ability: 3+ years experience & >5.13a redpoint and/or >V8 bouldering
Program overview: Build elite-level strength & power, optimized body composition for maximum strength-to-weight ratio, improve strength/power-endurance, enhance recovery capability, fortify rotator cuff and stabilizer muscles for injury avoidance and peak performance.
Time commitment: 1.5 – 5 hours, 4 to 6 days per week (including climbing days)
Download program >> (Please read Terms of Use)
Important Note:
Properly executing the Intermediate and Advance training programs demands that you understand and apply the “Training Zones for Climbers” rating of perceived exertion. This subjective scale of climbing intensity is an important tool for climbing/training at the proper intensity in order to accurately target a specific energy system and, thus, obtain the desired training adaptations. A detailed explanation of these energy system “training zones” is found on pages 94 – 97 and 110 – 115 of Training for Climbing (3rd edition).
Macrocycle
As presented in Training for Climbing, use this spreadsheet to plan your training blocks, performance days & trips, and rest breaks from training/climbing. Track your training and achievements throughout the year—it’s motivating, gratifying, and it will help you train smarter!
Download Macrocycle template >> (Please read Terms of Use)
PRO TIP: Nourish Your Tendons and Joints Before Each Climbing Workout!
A growing body of in vitro, in vivo, pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of a specific pre-exercise nutritional protocol designed to amplify collagen synthesis and accelerate tendon/ligament recovery. Consuming vitamin C-enriched hydrolyzed collagen before tendon/ligament training is the lynchpin of the protocol shown to double collagen synthesis after exercise. This is revolutionary information for a hard-training climber! Read more here >>
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