Juliet Hammer

When we fail on large moves, most of us tend to think we just need to pull more and pull harder—and our training reflects this bias toward the upper body.

The reality is that you likely need to eliminate some training protocols and narrow your focus to become a better climber.

Training too hard and too much without allowing adequate rest and recovery can quickly get us into an overtraining cycle, which ultimately stunts progress.

Many of us attempt to perform at our highest ability all the time. With access to outdoor climbing and the constant availability of the gym, it’s easy to be in “go” mode 24/7. However, in order to push to your true limits, you also need careful planning and preparation to create discrete performance peaks.

Climbing is a unique sport that requires both strength and technique. But it can be difficult to figure out where to focus your efforts: Do I need to get stronger? Do I need to improve my movement skills? Do I need to do both? The answer can be surprising.