Strength matters, but technique is what separates climbers who plateau from those who keep progressing. Here are five drills you can practice on any wall.
1. Silent feet
Place each foot deliberately and quietly. Loud feet mean imprecise placements that waste energy and slip.
2. Straight arms
Hang from your skeleton, not your muscles. Keep arms straight and let your legs do the work between moves.
3. Hip positioning
Turn a hip into the wall to extend your reach and reduce the load on your fingers. Flagging a leg keeps you balanced.
4. & 5. Eyes and breathing
- Read the route before you leave the ground
- Plan your rest positions and clip points
- Breathe steadily — don’t hold your breath on hard moves