Are you serious about rock climbing training? then you have two options: hire a climbing coach or do some research and train yourself. If you choose to investigate on your own, this list of the best rock climbing training books is just for you! recommendations are unbiased and purchase links are affiliate links; purchases made through them support our free content.
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best all-inclusive rock climbing training books (long)
Many books focus only on strength training, or solely on rock climbing technique, equipment, or fundamentals. the following books, however, holistically capture their authors’ entire training philosophy. if you’re interested in digging deeper and have the time to devote to learning about the intricacies of rock climbing training, then these are the books for you!
You are reading: Best climbing training books
the climber’s training manual
(304 pages) by michael l. Anderson Ph.D. and Mark L. anderson
Credited with popularizing many common training practices like hangboarding repeaters, The Climber’s Training Manual is arguably the most famous training book on rock climbing. The climbing principles and training techniques described in this book are so well known in rock climbing training circles that new training ideas and concepts are often compared to how similar or different they are to the concepts in this book. . The Climber’s Training Manual is best known for its “rock prodigy method” which uses periodization to avoid plateaus in performance and improvement.
See Also: C.S. Forester – Book Series In Order
the self-taught climber: the guide to movement, training, performance
(240 pages) by dan m. hague and douglas hunter
Many define climbing performance as limited by strength or technique. The self-taught climber uses a model that states that climbing success depends on the climber’s skills and understanding of balance, strength, time, and space. This book guides the hopeful climber through 52 different exercises and activities designed to improve their skills in these four areas.
dave macleod is quoted as saying that the self-taught climber “is still the best book on how to get better at climbing…worth every penny and more.” a strong endorsement from a man often described as the best trad climber in the world, and a noted writer with his own for-sale book on wet gear (see below for more).
See Also: C.S. Forester – Book Series In Order
climbing training: the definitive guide to improve your performance
(352 pages) by eric hörst
The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Performance by Eric Hörst is one of the most popular rock climbing training books ever written. Originally published in 2002, the Hörst Trainer’s Guide provides specific exercises, climbing techniques, training plans, visualization exercises, and energy system training recommendations for implementing your complete rock climbing training philosophy. This book is a great addition for those who already listen to Coach Hörst’s Climbing Training Podcast.
best starter book for new climbers
rock climbing fundamentals: essential terms, techniques and tips for the new climber
(81 pages of sander diangelis)
moja gear co-founder sander diangelis wrote the basics of rock climbing! is a must-read for any new climber, as he discovers an exciting rock-climbing culture full of technical jargon and unfamiliar gear, all while embracing and abiding by the rules of this new lifestyle. Moja Gear’s Rock Climbing Fundamentals eBook educates new climbers on the history of rock climbing, provides solid climbing equipment recommendations, and helpful tips for establishing a rock climbing training regimen.
See Also: C.S. Forester – Book Series In Order
best topic-focused rock climbing training books
These three books are excellent additions for those looking to improve specific aspects of their climbing.
9 out of 10 climbers make the same mistakes
(166 pages) by dave macleod (pronounced “ma cloud”)
With no pictures and lots of dense advice, this book can be a bit intimidating at first. reading 9 out of 10 climbers make the same mistakes, it feels like dave macleod took the stage, and in one huge sentence breathed out all the wisdom you need to know as a climber. The aspiring and motivated climber will quickly discover that Dave Macleod has left undiscovered gold on every page. We recommend keeping a highlighter handy while reading this book so he can come back to these tips during his training.
See Also: Ric Edelman – Audio Books, Best Sellers, Author Bio | Audible.com
although macleod touches on several topics, we put it in the focused category because instead of creating a complete 300-page rock climbing training book, he focuses on misconceptions, mistakes, and problems that he repeatedly sees in the climbers he trains. . we encourage him to start by browsing the table of contents, so he can immediately zero in on areas for improvement.
See Also: C.S. Forester – Book Series In Order
rock climbing technique: the practical guide to movement mastery
(126 pages) by john kettle
john kettle’s motivation for writing rock climbing technique was based on discovering that many climbers of various skill sets (who had read great books like the self-trained rock climber and 9 out of 10 climbers make the same mistakes) don’t they managed to successfully implement the ideas and concepts described in those books. rock climbing technique is simple and straightforward in its design of drills and exercises to perform. warm-up and cool-down exercises are introduced, beginning to turn knowledge of proper technique into skills you can implement at various angles and rock styles. one of the best features of this book is that each exercise has a qr code that goes directly to a youtube video of the exercises. click here to view youtube videos of rock climbing technique, but note that they are of limited value without the book.
See Also: C.S. Forester – Book Series In Order
unstoppable strength: strength training for climbers
(288 pages) by steve bechtel and charlie manganiello
Originally published in June 2014, Steve Bechtel’s Strength: Fundamental Rock Climbing Training is recognized as one of the premier rock climbing strength training books available. Steve Bechtel and Charlie Manganiello, a Certified Elementary Fitness Personal Trainer, have released this new sequel called Unstoppable Strength: Strength Training for Climbers (view on Amazon). Recognizing that climbing is a sport of skill, Bechtel and Manganiello are quick to state that strength is a major limiting factor in climbing. Developing greater strength allows climbers to perform movements that were previously inaccessible, while helping them better utilize the stamina they’ve built up over time.
if you’re focused on improving your climbing strength this season, then this is the book for you!
Looking for more rock climbing books? don’t miss the 25 books every climber should read.
