David Rowland

Fitness Goals Explained The motivation for our training model came from years of watching climbers on both routes and boulder problems. We examined in detail the different types of “fitness” Read More

The Relative Nature of Grades Climbing grades are relative more than they are subjective. What’s the difference? Subjective issues are those based entirely on individual perceptions or opinions. In other Read More

What to Train On? The most significant performance gains come from training that is sport specific. Runners run, swimmers swim, and, of course, climbers climb. However, just as trail running Read More

How Do We Train? In Rock Climbing Training (Part 1),  we gave you the concrete idea of what and why we need to train. Now we can begin to look Read More

Why Do We Train? The simple answer is, of course, “we train to get better.” In terms of climbing, it means to send harder climbs. But, while this answer is Read More

Refined Core Skill Exaggerated weight shifting is considered a refined core skill. Because of the problems with relying on “feel” at steeper angles, climbers need to be almost over-focused on Read More

Sequencing Feet The recommended prerequisite for sequencing feet is mastery of doing basic hand sequences. In this earlier article, we mentioned your hand sequence informs your foot sequence. As we Read More

Climbing steep routes (10 to 30 degrees) at higher grades requires a particular focus on applying core principles. At these angles, as with advanced climbing, the feel of efficient positions Read More

A Word of Caution Twist-locks are a valuable, and in some cases essential, skill for improving your flexibility and efficiency on the wall. They open up the use of higher Read More